ABSTRACT

The Republic of Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation with a limited land area (<316 km2) and very high population density (at 1,095 per km2, the highest in Europe). As might be expected, human pressure on the natural environment is intense. Development of the Maltese islands commenced some 7,000 years ago with the arrival of the first colonists who radically modified the landscape by clearing the native forests and other natural vegetation for agriculture, construction and fuel, and by the introduction of grazing animals which prevented trees from regenerating. Other significant modifications took place over the period 1530-1798 when the islands experienced a population explosion, a building boom and heightened agricultural activity, all connected with the reign of the Knights of Saint John. Improved medical services and sanitation after the islands passed into British hands caused a second population explosion in the early twentieth century with a concurrent spread of settlements, causing further modification to the natural landscape. This was mainly caused by building activity connected both with housing and with military installations. The population has continued increasing steadily since.