Europe, Malta

Malta, independent republic in the Commonwealth of Nations, consisting of a small group of islands—Malta, Gozo, Kemmuna, Kemmunett, and Filfla—located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily. The area of the largest island, Malta, is 246 sq km (95 sq mi); of Gozo, 67 sq km (26 sq mi); and of Kemmuna, 3 sq km (1 sq mi). The combined area of Kemmunett and Filfla is 0.3 sq km (0.12 sq mi). The total area is 316 sq km (122 sq mi). The capital and leading port of the country is Valletta (population, 1999 estimate, 7,100). The population of Malta (2002 estimate) is 397,499. The overall population density is 1,257 persons per sq km (3,255 per sq mi).