Biodiversity in Malta (MLT)
| FishBase | Complete | Literature | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Families | Species | Families | |||
| Marine | 134 | 84 | No | |||
| Freshwater | No | |||||
| Total | 154 | 100 | No | |||
| Conservation | The following information is to be sought: - Status of knowledge of the freshwater fauna; - Existence of conservation plans; - Information on major aquatic habitats or sites within the country; - Current major threats to species; - Future potential threats to species; - Contact(s) for further information. |
| Geography and Climate |
Malta is located in Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy).
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC.
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Terrain consists mostly of low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs. Elevation extreme has the lowest point in Mediterranean Sea 0 m and highest point in Dingli Cliffs 245 m. Natural resources are limestone, salt. Land use: arable land: 38%, permanent crops: 3%, permanent pastures: NA%,
forests and woodland: NA%, other: 59% (1993 est.). Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Environment—current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination.
Geography—note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors. Ref. Anonymous, 1999 |
| Hydrography |