Malta`s report (initial, second and third periodic) under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

Abstract

General Background

1. Location

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily, the Maltese archipelago basically consists of three islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino. Their total population based on the 1995 Census is estimated at 380,201 as at end of December 1999.

The largest island of the group is Malta, from which the archipelago takes its name. It has a population of just over 320,000. Valletta, the capital, is the cultural, administrative, and commercial centre of the archipelago. Malta is well served with harbours, chief of which is the Valletta Grand Harbour. Its international airport is at Gudja, five kilometres from the Capital.

The second largest island is Gozo. It is topographically quite different from Malta, and is quaintly attractive for its less industrialised way of life. Gozo can be reached from Malta by ferry-boat from Cirkewwa and Pieta', near Valletta.

Comino, Cominotto, Filfla and St. Paul's Islet are the other major features of the archipelago. Of these, only Comino, straddled between Malta and Gozo, sustains a very tiny population. Turned into a popular resort because of a couple of very fine beaches, Comino can be reached from Cirkewwa, either by boat or by excursion ferries during the summer months.

The distance between Malta and the nearest point in Sicily is 93 km. The distance from the nearest point on the North African mainland (Tunisia) is 288 km. Gibraltar is 1,826 km to the west and Alexandria is 1,510 km to the east.

This strategic position has allowed Malta to develop as an important trading post. The Malta Freeport is one of the Mediterranean's leading ports for container transhipments.

At the extreme points the Maltese Islands fall within the following positions: North- 36 ° 00' N. Latitude South 3 5 ° 48' N. Latitude East 14 ° 3 5' E. Longitude West - 14 ° 11 ' R. Longitude