View source for Geography of Malta

{{Short description|Island in Europe}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->
{{Infobox country geography
|name         = Malta
|image        = File:Malta’s Landscape of Limestone.jpeg
|image name=
|image caption= Satellite image of Malta
|map          = Malta2021OSM.png |continent    = [[Europe]]
|region       = [[Southern Europe]]
|coordinates  = {{Coord|35|54|N|14|31|E|type:city|display=inline,title}}
|area ranking = 186th
|km area      = 316
|percent land = 100
|percent water= 0
|highest point= [[Ta' Dmejrek]]
|lowest point = [[Mediterranean Sea]]}}
{{GeoGroup}}

[[File:Map of Malta 2.png|thumb|right]]

The '''geography of Malta''' is dominated by water.{{clarify |"dominated by water", but "0% water" makes no sense. Pls. clarify, here and in main Malta article: "dominated by the Med, but lacking any inland bodies of sweet water", right? |date= August 2025}} [[Malta]] is an [[archipelago]] of [[coral]]line [[limestone]], located in [[Southern Europe]], but like most of [[Sicily]] sits on the [[African tectonic plate]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Barberi |first1=F. |last2=Civetta |first2=L. |last3=Gasparini |first3=P. |last4=Innocenti |first4=F. |last5=Scandone |first5=R.|last6=Villari |first6=L.|title=Evolution of a section of the Africa-Europe plate boundary: Paleomagnetic and volcanological evidence from Sicily |journal=Earth and Planetary Science Letters |date=May 1974 |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=123–132 |doi=10.1016/0012-821X(74)90072-7 |bibcode=1974E&PSL..22..123B }}</ref>  Malta is {{Convert|81|km}} south of [[Sicily]], [[Italy]],<ref name="GMaps">From [[Żebbuġ]] in Malta, coordinates: 36°04'48.2"N 14°15'06.7"E to Cava d'Aliga ([[Scicli]]) in Italy, coordinates: 36°43'22.5"N 14°41'10.9"E – Google Maps</ref> and nearly {{Convert|300|km|abbr=on}} north (Libya) and northeast (Tunisia) of [[Africa]]. Although Malta is located farther south than [[Tunis]] and some other cities in [[North Africa]], it is not the [[Extreme points of Europe|Southernmost point of Europe]]. Only the three largest islands &ndash; [[Malta Island|Malta]], [[Gozo Island|Gozo]] and [[Comino Island|Comino]] &ndash; are inhabited. Other (uninhabited) islands are: [[Cominotto]], [[Filfla]] and the [[St. Paul's Islands]]. The country is approximately {{convert|316|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in area. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide harbours. The landscape of the islands is characterised by high hills with terraced fields. The capital is [[Valletta]].

== Surface: statistics ==
Malta has a total area of {{convert|315.718|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="SOER">[https://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=3205 State of the Environment Report for Malta 1998] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103630/https://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=3205|date=2015-04-02}}</ref> with land making up all of that and water taking up zero area. Compared to other political entities, this makes Malta, in comparison with
* Australia: slightly less than one-seventh the Australian Capital Territory's size;
* Canada: roughly one-eighteenth of Prince Edward Island's size;
* UK: slightly smaller than the [[Isle of Wight]];
* US: slightly less than twice the size of [[Washington, DC]].
Excluding {{Convert|56|km|abbr=on}} from the island of Gozo,{{clarify |Meaning what? "56 km FROM..." means: just a section of Gozo's coast: why just that section? Or actually meant: "THE 56 km representing the coast of Gozo Island"? |date= August 2025}} Malta has a coastline of {{Convert|196.8|km|abbr=on}}. Its maritime claims of territorial sea are {{Convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}}, contiguous zone is {{Convert|24|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}, continental shelf is {{Convert|200|m|abbr=on}} depth or to the depth of exploitation, and Malta's exclusive fishing zone spans {{Convert|25|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}}.

==Islands==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Area
! Note/<br/>coordinates
!class="unsortable"| Image
|-
| [[Malta (island)|Malta Island]]
| {{convert|246|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="SOER" />
|{{coord|35.88182|14.44908|format=dms|name=Malta}}<ref name=Geo>{{cite web|url=https://www.geonames.org/advanced-search.html?q=Island&country=MT&featureClass=&continentCode=|title=Islands of Malta|website=[[GeoNames]]|access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref>
| [[File:Malta ali 2009224 lrg.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[Gozo]]<br/>''(Għawdex)''
| {{convert|67.1|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="SOER"/>
|{{coord|36.04944|14.25|format=dms|name=Gozo}}<ref name=Geo />
| [[File:Gozo from space via laser ESA378503.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[Comino]]<br/>''(Kemmuna)''
| {{convert|2.8|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="SOER"/>
|{{coord|36.01226|14.33669|format=dms|name=Comino}}<ref name=Geo />
| [[File:Sudika Kemmuna.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[Manoel Island]]<br/>''(Il-Gżira Manoel)''
| {{convert|0.3|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|{{coord|35.904|14.502|format=dms|name=Manoel Island}}
| [[File:Aerial view of Manoel Island.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[St Paul's Island]]s<br/>''(Il-Gżejjer ta' San Pawl)''
| {{convert|0.101|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="SOER"/>
|{{coord|35|57|55|N|14|24|2|E|format=dms|name=St Paul's Island}}
| [[File:Selmunett Island.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[Cominotto]]<br/>''(Kemmunett)''
| {{convert|0.099|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="S&S"/>
|{{coord|36.01361|14.31944|format=dms|name=Kemmunett}}<ref name=Geo />
| [[File:Malta - Ghajnsielem - Cominotto + Blue Lagoon (Comino) 03 ies.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[Filfla]] (and Filfoletta)
| {{convert|0.020|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="SOER"/>
|{{coord|35|47|15|N|14|24|37|E|format=dms|name=Filfla}}
| [[File:Filfla 1.jpg|200px]]
|-
| [[Fungus Rock]]<br/>''(Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral)''
| {{convert|0.007|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="SOER"/>
|{{coord|36.04694|14.18889|format=dms|name=Fungus Rock}}<ref name=Geo />
| [[File:Fungus rock.JPG|200px]]
|-
| [[Ħalfa Rock]]<br/>''(Il-Ġebla tal-Ħalfa)''
| {{convert|0.0050|km2|abbr=on|sortable=on}}<ref name="mepa.org">[https://www.mepa.org.mt/talhalfa Il-Gebla tal-Halfa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106173142/https://www.mepa.org.mt/talhalfa |date=2017-01-06 }} - Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA)</ref><ref name="EUNIS">[http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/330744 Site factsheet for Il-Gebla tal-Halfa] - EUNIS</ref>
|{{coord|36.02917|14.33083|format=dms|name=Ġebel tal-Ħalfa}}<ref name=Geo /> Situated near Gozo. In the island there is a {{Convert|4 to 5|m|adj=on}} deep water rock pool just {{Convert|2|m|abbr=out}} above sea level, possibly man made due to its perfectly round shape. There is also an underground fresh water system which emerges from a small cave. Most of the plants occurs on the western part of the island. [[Crucianella rupestris]], [[Arthrocnemum macrostachyum]], [[Lygeum spartum]], [[Convolvulus oleifolius]], [[Thymbra capitata]], [[Teucrium fruticans]], [[Allium melitense]], [[Anacamptis urvilleana]], [[Bromus madritensis]], [[Capparis spinosa]], [[Echium parviflorum]], [[Pallenis spinosa]], [[Plantago lagopus]], [[Trachynia distachya]], [[Urginea pancration]].<ref name="S&S"/>
|[[File:Gebla tal Halfa1.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Old Battery's Rock<br/>''(Ġebla ta' taħt il-Batterija)''
|
| Situated on the southeast of Comino. Flora consisted of 22 individuals of [[Inula crithmoides]] (2010).<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|-
| Lantern Point Rock<br/>''(Ġebla Tal-Ponta Rqiqa)''
|
| Situated near Comino.<ref name="S&S">[https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arnold_Sciberras2/publication/260294462_SCIBERRAS_J.__SCIBERRAS_A_%282010%29_Topography_and_Flora_of_the_Satellite_islets_surrounding_the_Maltese_Archipelago._The_Central_Mediterranean_Naturalist_5%282%2931-42._Nature_Trust_Malta_publications/links/00b49530ad3f6c4e5f000000.pdf "Topography and Flora of the Satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago"] - Arnold Sciberras, Jeffrey Sciberras, 2010</ref> Two species of plants live here: [[Limonium melitense]] and [[Inula crithmoides]]. It has a height of {{Convert|7|m}}.<ref>[http://www.biodiversityjournal.com/pdf/3(3)_191-200.pdf "A contribution to the knowledge of the terrestrial Mammalian fauna of Comino and its satellite islets (Maltese Archipelago)"] - Biodiversity Journal, 2012, 3 (3): 191-200</ref> 
| [[File:Malta - Ghajnsielem - Lantern Point Rock (Comino) 01 ies.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Large [[Blue Lagoon Rock]]
|
| In island, there is a cave. Species of plants: [[Hypericium aegypticum]], [[Daucus carota]], [[Convolvulus oleifolius]], [[Darniella melitensis]], [[Arthrocnemum macrostachyum]], [[Senecio bicolor]].<ref name="S&S"/>
| [[File:View-Gozo-DSC 0156.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Small [[Blue Lagoon Rock]]s
|
| Situated between Large Blue Lagoon and Cominotto. Species of plants: [[Arthrocnemum macrostachyum]], [[Daucus carota]], [[Lygeum spartum]], [[Lavatera arborea]].<ref name="S&S"/>
| [[File:Malta - Ghajnsielem - Small Blue Lagoon Rock (Comino) 01 ies.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Devil's End Rock<br/>''(Il-Ġebla tax-Xifer l-Infern)''<ref name="S&S"/>
|
| Situated near main island, Delimara point.
| [[File:Delimara Point Nov 2014 03.JPG|200px]]
|-
| Għallis Rocks<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|{{coord|35.95361|14.44611|format=dms|name=Għallis Rocks}}<ref name=Geo />
| [[File:Malta - Naxxar - Ghallis Rocks 01 ies.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Taċ-Ċawl Rock<br/>''(Il-Ġebla taċ-Ċawl)''
|
|{{coord|36.02611|14.31583|format=dms|name=Il-Ġebel taċ-Ċawl}}<ref name=Geo /> Situated near Gozo. The flora consisted of [[Lygeum spartum]], [[Asphodelus aestivus]], [[Crithmum maritimum]], [[Cichorium spinosum]], [[Crucianella rupestrisis]], [[Opuntia]], [[Thymbra capitata]], [[Euphorbia melitensis]], [[Foeniculum vulgare]], [[Allium commutatum]], [[Allium lajoconoi]], [[Bromus madritensis]], [[Capparis spinosa]], [[Gynandriris sisirynchium]], [[Pistacia lentiscus]], [[Phagnalon graceum]], [[Sedum litoreum]], [[Sonchus tenerrimus]], [[Trachynia distachya]], [[Valantia muralis]].<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|-
| Cheirolophus Rock<br/>''(Ħaġra tas-Sajjetta)''
|
| Situated near main island. It is {{Convert|9 to 12|m}} high at its highest point. Species of plants: [[Darniella melitensis]], [[Crithmum maritimum]], [[Cheirolophus crassifolius]], [[Inula crithmoides]], [[Limonium virgatum]], [[Daucus carota]], [[Cheirolophus crassifolius]].<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|-
| Barbaganni Rock
|
| Situated near Gozo. No soil exists on the islet because the island is inundated by water wave action during rough weather. The flora consisted of only 14 individuals of [[Inula crithmoides]] (2010).<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|-
| Crocodile Rock & Bear rocks<br/>''(Il-Ġebla tal-Baqra u il-Ġebel tal-Orsijiet)''
|
| Near Gozo, three rocks in total.<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|-
| [[Qawra Point]]<br/>''(Ta' Fra Ben islet, Il-Ponta jew Ras il- Qawra)''
|
| Situated near main island. The western part is littered with small boulders, while much of the vegetation occurs in the middle part of the islet. In island there is sea cave occurs as a big hole in the middle of the islet. Species of plants: [[Arthrocnemum macrostachyum]], [[Anthemis urvilleana]], [[Inula crithmoides]], [[Lotus cystisoides]], [[Limonium]], [[Sporbolus pungens]].<ref name="S&S"/>
| [[File:Malta - St. Paul's Bay - Triq it-Trunciera - Ras il-Qawra + peninsula 02 ies.jpg|200px]]
|-
| Comino Cliff Face Rock<br/>''(Ta' Taħt il-Mazz Rock)''
|
| Situated near Comino. The island is very steep - cliffs. The majority of species of plants occur on its west side, while only one species of plant inhabits its east side. Species of plants: [[Matthiola incana]], [[Inula crithmoides]], [[Darniella melitensis]], [[Daucus carota]], [[Limonium melitensis]], [[Anthyllis hermanniae]], [[Pistacia lentiscus]].<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|-
| Xrobb l-Għaġin Rock<br/>''(It-Taqtiegħa)''<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|
|
|-
| Fessej Rock<br/>''(Il-Ġebla tal-Fessej)''<ref name="S&S"/><ref name="caruana">{{cite journal|journal=L-Imnara|last=Caruana|first=Joseph|date=2011|title=Toponomi t'Għajnsielem (1)|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/L-Imnara/L-Imnara.%2009(2011)4=35/11s.pdf|volume=9|issue=4|publisher=Rivista tal-Għaqda Maltija tal-Folklor|page=189|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418041200/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/L-Imnara/L-Imnara.%2009%282011%294%3D35/11s.pdf|archive-date=18 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|
|
| [[File:Islet as viewed by the Mgarr ix-Xini Tower.jpeg|200px]]
|-
| Għemieri Rocks<br/>''(L-iskolli tal-Għemieri)''<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|
|
|-
| Ħnejja Rocks<br/>''(Ġebel tal-Ħnejja)''<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|
|
|-
| [[Għar Qawqla|White Rock / Blue Islets]] (Rocks)<br/>''(Ġebla tal-Għar Qawqla)''<ref name="S&S"/>
|
|{{coord|36|04|27|N|14|15|45|E|format=dms|name=Għar Qawqla}}
| [[File:Marsalforn Rock Formation.jpg|200px]]
|}

==Geology==
{{main|Geology of Malta}}

The geology of Malta consists of a sequence of [[sedimentary rocks]] of late [[Oligocene]] to [[Upper Miocene|late Miocene]] age cut through by a set of [[extensional fault]]s of [[Pliocene]] age.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1= Dart |first1= C.J. |last2=Bosence |first2= D.W.J. |last3=McClay |first3= K.R. |title= Stratigraphy and structure of the Maltese graben system |journal= Journal of the Geological Society |year= 1993 |publication-date= 1993 |volume=150 |issue=6 |pages= 1153–1166 |doi= 10.1144/gsjgs.150.6.1153|bibcode= 1993JGSoc.150.1153D |s2cid=131447222 |url= http://jgs.lyellcollection.org/content/150/6/1153.short |url-access= subscription}}</ref> The sequence is divided into five [[geological formation|formations]], from the oldest, the Lower Coralline Limestone, followed by the Globigerina Limestone, the Blue Clay and the youngest unit, the Upper Coralline Limestone.<ref>{{Cite web |author= Continental Shelf Department |title= Geological Map of the Maltese Islands |publisher= Government of Malta |url= https://continentalshelf.gov.mt/en/Pages/Geological-Map-of-the-Maltese-Islands.aspx |access-date= 2018-02-22 |archive-date= 2018-02-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180222231530/https://continentalshelf.gov.mt/en/Pages/Geological-Map-of-the-Maltese-Islands.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>

==Seascape==
The seabed surrounding Malta's islands retains traces of ancient geomarine features, suggesting potential archaeological discoveries that could shed light on the region's prehistoric environment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where Is Malta? {{!}} World Map, Facts, People & History of Malta |url=https://www.maltainfoguide.com/where-is-malta.html |access-date=17 November 2024 |website=Malta Info Guide |language=en}}</ref> The shelf is narrower south of the archipelago and wider on its northern side, with swaths of [[seagrass]] close to shore and [[maerl]] in the outer part of the shelf.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Micallef |first1=Aaron |last2=Foglini |first2=Federica |last3=Le Bas |first3=Timothy |last4=Angeletti |first4=Lorenzo |last5=Maselli |first5=Vittorio |last6=Pasuto |first6=Alessandro |last7=Taviani |first7=Marco |title=The submerged paleolandscape of the Maltese Islands: Morphology, evolution and relation to Quaternary environmental change |journal=Marine Geology |date=January 2013 |volume=335 |pages=129–147 |doi=10.1016/j.margeo.2012.10.017|bibcode=2013MGeol.335..129M |hdl=11380/1331520 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> These form belts are regulated by the availability of light and intensity of currents.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bialik |first1=Or M. |last2=Coletti |first2=Giovanni |last3=Berndt |first3=Christian |last4=Schmidt |first4=Mark |last5=Micallef |first5=Aaron |title=Controls on mesophotic carbonate facies and sediment distribution across the Maltese shelf, central Mediterranean Sea |journal=Facies |date=October 2024 |volume=70 |issue=4 |article-number=16 |doi=10.1007/s10347-024-00690-1|bibcode=2024Faci...70...16B |hdl=10281/522407 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

== Climate ==
{{main|Climate of Malta}}

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20240603095538/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/45442/4/Perspectives%20on%20landscapes.pdf]

== Elevation extremes ==
The lowest point is the Mediterranean Sea at 0&nbsp;m (0&nbsp;ft) and the highest point is [[Ta' Dmejrek]] at {{Convert|253|m|abbr=on}}.

== Land use ==
* '''Arable land''': 28.12%
* '''Permanent crops''': 4.06%
* '''Other''': 67.81% (2011)

=== Irrigated land ===
{{Convert|32|km2|abbr=on}} (2007)

=== Total renewable water resources ===
[[File:Għajn Bierda (12524091145).jpg|thumbnail|A fresh-water spring, Għajn Bierda, at Ras ir-Raħeb]]
{{Convert|0.05|km3|abbr=on}} (2011)

== Environment ==
=== Current issues ===
According to [[Eurostat]], in 2023, 34.7% of Maltese households reported being affected by [[pollution]], grime, or other environmental nuisances, making Malta the nation with the highest percentage in the [[European Union]] for that year and more than double the EU average of 12.2%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-01 |title=12% of EU population reported pollution in their area |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20250901-1 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=ec.europa.eu |language=en-GB}}</ref> The rate has been increasing steadily from 26.5% in 2017 and highlights several issues: traffic-related emissions, dust from road or building works, garbage waiting to be collected, rodent and cockroach infestations, sea slime during the summer months, noise pollution, a lack of greenery and illegal dumping.<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Malta Independent |date=2025-09-05 |title=TMID Editorial: Pollution, grime and the need for action |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2025-09-05/newspaper-leader/TMID-Editorial-Pollution-grime-and-the-need-for-action-6736272908 |access-date=2025-09-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrugia |first=Matthew |date=2025-03-20 |title=A third of Maltese residents are exposed to excessive noise |url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/134156/a_third_of_maltese_residents_are_exposed_to_excessive_noise |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Malta Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malta News Agency |date=2025-09-03 |title=Malta tops EU chart for pollution impact on households |url=https://www.maltanewsagency.com/2025/09/malta-tops-eu-chart-for-pollution-impact-on-households/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website= |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, Malta recorded an annual average [[Particulate matter|PM2.5]] concentration of '''12 micrograms per cubic metre, more than double''' the number of fine-particle pollutants recommended by [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) guidelines. The WHO guidelines are 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The World Air Quality Report 2023 by IQAir ranked Malta '''49th out of 134''' countries (best to worst) for PM2.5 concentration, while among European countries, Malta ranked '''26th''' when ordered from best to worst air quality. Fine particles include contaminants like sulphates, black carbon, nitrates, and ammonium, specifically those measuring 2.5 millionths of a meter, approximately one-fiftieth the diameter of human hair. These little particles, despite their size, can significantly harm human health since they are readily absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream, resulting in conditions such as [[asthma]], [[cancer]], [[stroke]]s, and [[Respiratory disease|lung disease]], and have been associated with automobile use and construction, among other contributors. From 2011 to 2021, the number of residences in Malta increased from about 224,000 to over 297,000, representing a growth of roughly one-third, exceeding the population's rise. The quantity of automobiles in Malta has persistently risen, currently exceeding 420,000, with approximately 30 new vehicles being introduced daily. Official data from the National Statistics Office reveals that there are more than 18,000 automobiles per square kilometre of road and 1,500 cars for every 1,000 individuals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cummings |first=James |date=2024-03-19 |title=Pollution in Malta more than double recommended threshold, report says |url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/pollution-malta-double-recommended-threshold-report-says.1089480 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Times of Malta |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on [[desalination]]. A 2021 study assessed the impact of climate change on the groundwater resources of the Maltese Islands, simulating the combined effects of sea-level rise, reduced groundwater recharge, and increased water demand on Malta’s mean sea-level aquifer up to the year 2100. The model was calibrated using observed hydraulic data from 1944, 1990, and 2014. The results indicated that '''rising water demand''' and '''decreasing recharge''' are the dominant drivers of groundwater decline, while '''sea-level rise''' has a relatively minor direct effect over the study period. In the worst-case scenarios, freshwater storage could fall by more than '''16%''' by 2100. Localised overextraction, particularly in southeastern Malta, was shown to accelerate saltwater intrusion, posing a risk of contamination.<ref name="DeBiase2021">{{cite journal |last1=De Biase |first1=Marco |last2=Polemio |first2=Maurizio |last3=Daly |first3=Edward |last4=Custodio |first4=Emilio |last5=Falcone |first5=Giuseppe |year=2021 |title=The Impact of Predicted Climate Change on Groundwater Resources in a Mediterranean Archipelago: A Modelling Study of the Maltese Islands |journal=Water |volume=13 |issue=21 |pages=3046 |doi=10.3390/w13213046 |bibcode=2021Water..13.3046D |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Since 2016, the network of Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC) supported by the Union for the Mediterranean and Plan Bleu (UN Environment/MAP Regional Activity Centre), has been assessing the risks associated with climate and environmental changes in the Mediterranean. They indicate the average annual '''air temperatures''' have risen by around 1.5&nbsp;°C compared to the preindustrial era, significantly more than the current global warming trend of +1.1&nbsp;°C, with projections of 2.2&nbsp;°C by 2040 and more than 3.8&nbsp;°C by 2100.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=MARINI |first1=Kasia |last2=Cramer |first2=Wolfgang |last3=Guiot |first3=Joël |date=2019-10-30 |title=MedECC booklet: risks associated to climate and environmental changes in the Mediterranean region (ENG, FR, AR) |url=https://www.medecc.org/medecc-booklet-isk-associated-to-climate-and-environmental-changes-in-the-mediterranean-region/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=MedECC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Cramer |first1=Wolfgang |last2=Guiot |first2=Joël |last3=Fader |first3=Marianela |last4=Garrabou |first4=Joaquim |last5=Gattuso |first5=Jean-Pierre |last6=Iglesias |first6=Ana |last7=Lange |first7=Manfred A. |last8=Lionello |first8=Piero |last9=Llasat |first9=Maria Carmen |last10=Paz |first10=Shlomit |last11=Peñuelas |first11=Josep |last12=Snoussi |first12=Maria |last13=Toreti |first13=Andrea |last14=Tsimplis |first14=Michael N. |last15=Xoplaki |first15=Elena |date=2018-10-22 |title=Climate change and interconnected risks to sustainable development in the Mediterranean |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0299-2 |journal=Nature Climate Change |volume=8 |language=en |issue=11 |pages=972–980 |doi=10.1038/s41558-018-0299-2 |bibcode=2018NatCC...8..972C |issn=1758-6798}}</ref>

'''Surface seawater temperature''' was found to have risen by approximately 0.4&nbsp;°C every decade. The forecasts for 2100 range from +1.8&nbsp;°C to +3.5&nbsp;°C compared to the period between 1961 and 1990. Sea levels have risen approximately 3&nbsp;mm annually over recent decades, while the future global mean sea level is projected to range from 52 to 190&nbsp;cm by 2100, resulting in increased coastal threats associated with [[Sea level rise|rising sea levels]], [[storm surge]]s, and [[flood]]ing. '''Seawater acidification''', primarily caused by the sea absorbing excess [[Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Earth|carbon dioxide (CO2)]] from the atmosphere together with increased temperatures, adversely affects carbonate shells and skeletons. [[Mass mortality event]]s among marine species are anticipated to be replaced by non-native ones, particularly those originating from the [[Red Sea]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

The frequency of '''extreme occurrences''' such as [[heat wave]]s, [[drought]]s, [[flood]]s, and [[Wildfire|fires]] is anticipated to increase. Droughts may exacerbate social strife in the Mediterranean region. Scarce resources and wars can result in widespread [[Illegal emigration|people migrations]]. Heat-related illnesses and mortality will increase, particularly due to the [[Urban heat island|urban heat island effect]]. Climate change will influence the proliferation of [[Disease vector|vector]]- and [[Waterborne disease|waterborne]] illnesses, while the quality of air, soil, and water will decline. [[Allergic rhinitis|Pollen allergies]] are expected to increase, while sanitary conditions may decline due to the ensuing societal and political circumstances.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

=== International agreements ===
* '''Party to''': [[Air Pollution]], [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]], [[Desertification]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Marine Dumping]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], [[Ship Pollution]], [[Wetlands]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Malta Islands}}
{{Malta topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Islands of Europe}}

[[Category:Geography of Malta| ]]