Malta is a small group of islands (archipelago) with around 380,000 inhabitants. It consists of the islands Malta, Gozo, Comino and the smaller, unpopulated islands of Cominetto and Filfla. Over 90% of the population lives on the largest island, Malta. Around 28,000 people live on Gozo while on Comino there are just a few farming communities. Cars are not allowed on Comino, which makes it very peaceful. Malta lies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, some 100 kilometres south of the island Sicily, and 290 kilometres off the North African coast. The main island of Malta measures just 27 kilometres from north to south at its longest point, and about 15 kilometres from west to east. Gozo is much smaller, about a quarter of the size of Malta, and Comino is very small, only three square kilometres. Malta is one of the world's most densely populated countries, with 1,398 inhabitants per square kilometre. Compare that with the island of Crete, where there are 66 people to a square kilometre and you'll see what a big difference that is.
