Mediterranean Sea border. Mediterranean Sea: description, history, interesting facts. Balkan countries of the Mediterranean

Today the Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of 22 countries. Considering that the Mediterranean Sea states are located in the subtropical climatic zone, excellent conditions are being created for the creation of resort bases. Today the Mediterranean coast is favorite place for most tourists from all over the world.

Mediterranean cruises are an opportunity to see with your own eyes past eras, visiting monuments of antiquity, masterpieces of the Middle Ages and outstanding creations of our time. Every day of such a trip brings new impressions, new states Mediterranean Sea: sandy beaches of Tunisia and Malta, ancient Pompeii and the formidable Vesuvius, the leaning tower of Pisa, the wide boulevards of Nice and Barcelona, ​​the canals of Venice and the museums of Florence.

Cruises most often pass through European Mediterranean countries. Tourists visit Italy - the country of sun and wine, spaghetti and olive oil, haute couture and masterpieces of world architecture. And after an eventful journey through her famous cities you can relax on the sunny beaches of the island of Sardinia or stroll through the gardens and olive groves of picturesque Sicily.

Beauty Spain - another one Mediterranean country– a picturesque area with upscale resorts, rich nature and ancient cities. And of course, sea ​​cruises No trip to the Mediterranean is complete without visiting Mallorca and Ibiza.

In France, every city is a cultural monument or historical museum, a winemaking center or a luxury resort. Paris, Nice, Cannes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Avignon - attractions are found here at every step. The country's landscapes are no less picturesque: the snow-white peaks of the Alps, beautiful beaches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, medieval castles, vast vineyards and charming old distilleries.
Malta is another amazing country included in many Mediterranean cruises. This is a contrasting island, the north-eastern coast of which is densely populated, and almost lifeless South coast ends with steep cliffs towards the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here is Valletta, a medieval walled city, one of the few remaining in Europe.

Morocco is a Mediterranean country that brings an oriental flair to Western Mediterranean cruises. It is located at the junction of European and Islamic cultures and lies on the border of the greenest mountains in Africa and the largest desert in the world.

The African countries of the Mediterranean region are no less colorful. For example, Tunisia is one of the world’s oldest resorts with many historical monuments, sandy beaches and dynamically developing tourism infrastructure. In addition to the traditional beach holiday and modern hotels, Tunisia is home to ancient oriental architecture, unusual cuisine and numerous colorful markets.

Almost all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea have their own famous resorts. Most of all, Russians love the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. The resorts of Montenegro and Croatia especially stand out.

Montenegro is a Mediterranean country famous for its resorts. Ada Boyana - south beach country, with a total length of 3.8 kilometers. The beach is covered with the most the best sand throughout the Adriatic. Ada Boyana Island has a triangular shape. On two sides the shores of the island are washed by the Boyana River, and on the third by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. On the island you can find excellent hotels, good entertainment - everything your heart desires. Resort town Becici is another pride of Montenegro. The local resort is famous for its stunning Mediterranean nature, and the 2-kilometer golden pebble beach is famous all over the world.

Another Mediterranean country, Croatia, also has something to boast about. In particular, these are the beaches of Brela. Here the water is so clear that you can see the bottom even at a depth of 50 meters. Certainly the most popular resort Croatia, which in 2004 became the sixth in the world and the first in Europe.

Today, the states of the eastern Mediterranean have greatly succeeded in developing tourism infrastructure. The beaches of Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, and Greece annually attract tens of millions of tourists. But, for example, tourists are in no hurry to go to Lebanon or Syria.
If you want to relax like a king, then the city of Limassol (in Cyprus) is already waiting for you.

If you want to diversify your vacation, then in addition to already famous resorts in Greece, Turkey or Italy, you can go to Algeria or Libya. Now countries are actively developing their resort beaches. They certainly have potential.

Countries of the Mediterranean basin, traditions and cultures of different peoples, architecture of different eras, endless sea spaces, picturesque islands and the hot sun - all these are sea cruises in the Mediterranean, allowing you to see beyond a short time such different and such distant countries.



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The Mediterranean Sea is “shackled” among 3 continents. It is the 8th largest sea in the world. Its outlines immediately attract attention due to its unusual shape and the number of ancient cities on its banks. For many centuries, the waters of the Mediterranean Sea were silent witnesses to how the history of mankind was created, on its shores empires were born and died out on the world map.

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is located in the northern hemisphere. The sea is inland and runs along everything north coast Africa and the southern coast of Europe. It starts in the west from the so-called Pillars of Hercules and ends with the coast of the Levant. It looks like a huge lake. It got its name according to ideas about the geography of people who lived in Ancient Greece.

Translated from Greek it means “sea in the middle of the Earth.” The Greeks thought so, because the sea was a natural barrier between the cities of Europe, Asia Minor and Africa. The name is translated into Russian in an exact translation, and does not sound like its transcription from Greek - Mare Mediterraneum.

The Mediterranean Sea was previously part of the ancient ocean - Tethys.

Now it has broken into a whole cascade of seas, which used to be one body of water:

  • Mediterranean Sea.
  • Black Sea.
  • Caspian Sea.
  • Aral Sea.

Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea

If you start from the westernmost point of the Mediterranean Sea, namely Gibraltar (possession of Great Britain) and go clockwise, the sea washes the following countries:

  • Gibraltar (UK).
  • Spain is also the final country; on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar is the Spanish port of Ceuta.
  • France everything South coast This country is one never-ending resort, which is not without reason given the unofficial name - Cote d'Azur.
  • Monaco.
  • Italy, this country has one of the longest coastlines with the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Slovenia.
  • Croatia, the Mediterranean coast of this country is one of the most picturesque.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina is perhaps the smallest coastline about 20 km.
  • Montenegro.
  • Albania.
  • Greece, the largest concentration of antiquity per square meter. km.
  • Türkiye, the tourist mecca of the Mediterranean.
  • Syria.
  • Lebanon.
  • Israel.
  • Egypt, like the entire African coast, is mostly lifeless, but sometimes there are small resort oases.
  • Libya.
  • Tunisia, where the ruins of Carthage are located ancient city Rome's rival for dominion in Europe.
  • Algeria.
  • Morocco.

The island states within the Mediterranean Sea are Malta and Cyprus.

Gibraltar remains a disputed territory to this day. Great Britain received it into its possession back in 1713 under the Treaty of Urecht. Spain still disputes these territories. There were several military attempts to recapture the fort in the 18th and 19th centuries, but all were unsuccessful.

Cyprus - Island state, officially a single state - the Republic of Cyprus, unofficially - divided into 2 parts: Greek and Turkish. Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Republic Northern Cyprus, separated by a buffer zone with a contingent of UN peacekeepers.

Depth of the Mediterranean Sea: maximum and average

6 million years ago the Mediterranean Sea lost contact with Atlantic Ocean, it turned into a huge internal “lake” without replenishment from the world’s oceans. It dried out quickly, the water level dropped by 100-120 m.


Mediterranean Sea Depth Map

However, about 5 million years ago, an earthquake occurred, which led to the formation of the current Strait of Gibraltar and the sea received recharge from the Atlantic Ocean. This event can be compared with the rebirth of the Mediterranean Sea; it was after this that it received its previous appearance.

The Alboran Sea follows immediately after the Strait of Gibraltar, for the most part it is shallow with depths of up to 200 m. Going further to the east, the sea gains a depth of up to 2 km.

Maximum depth is located in the Ionian Sea, in the so-called Central Basin and is called the Hellenic Basin. Its depth is 5121 m.

The area between the coasts of Greece and Turkey is dotted with thousands of islands. Here the water is relatively shallow and the average depth reaches 200 m. With an increase in depth after the island of Crete towards the coast of Africa, the average depth here is more than 2000 m. South of Turkey and along the entire coast of Israel and Egypt the depth ranges from 1500 to 2000 m.

The average depth throughout the sea is 1541 m.

Mediterranean structure

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is divided into 3 sections: western, central and eastern.

Visually they can be clearly separated:

  • Western - between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Apennine Peninsula.
  • Central - between the Apennine Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula.
  • Eastern - between the Balkan Peninsula and the Levant coast.

The main “donor” of water for the Mediterranean Sea is the Atlantic Ocean. The influence of rivers on sea water levels is not great.

The largest rivers flowing into the Mediterranean Sea:

  • Rona.

Ebbs and flows

The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the small Strait of Gibraltar.
Therefore, the influence of the Moon's gravity on this inland sea is minimal. The ebb and flow of the tides is several cm. Therefore, their influence is quite difficult for humans to assess.

How many seas are there in the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea has a complex structure and consists of many other seas, which are not always indicated on the world map.

Officially, it includes the seas recognized by international agreements:

  • Alboran.
  • Balearic.
  • Ligurian.
  • Tyrrhenian.
  • Ionic.
  • Adriatic.
  • Aegean.

Flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is connected to the Atlantic Ocean only by a small strait. This greatly affected the ecosystem of the entire sea, primarily because the Atlantic Ocean cannot also strongly feed the Mediterranean Sea with plankton, unlike open seas.

The reduced content of plankton led to a lower concentration of fish, which in turn provoked more rapid growth of vegetation and the appearance of the world's longest colony of “Posidonia oceanica” - more than 700 km.

Due to the low plankton content, there are no whales in the sea, but there are other large mammals whose diet does not include it. There are 47 species of sharks in the Mediterranean Sea, including tiger and great white shark.

It is still a mystery to scientists why sharks behave less aggressively in the Mediterranean Sea than in other regions of the world's oceans. Shark attacks on people in the Mediterranean Sea are extremely rare.

Largest cities on the Mediterranean coast

Largest ports:

  • Barcelona.
  • Monaco.
  • Genoa.
  • Naples.
  • Athens.
  • Istanbul.

Barcelona is one of the largest ports not only in the Mediterranean, but also in Europe. The climate is mild, the Balearic Islands with world famous Ibiza and Mallorca are not too far away.

Nice, Monaco and Genoa- cities located close to each other, but located in 3 different countries Oh. Nice is famous for its resort - the Cote d'Azur and the Promenade des Anglais.

Monaco entertainment center throughout Europe. Genoa is a large Italian port with rich history and incredible architecture. During the Renaissance, Genoa was a real financial center of Europe and capital flowed here from all over the world, and Genoese merchants were considered the wealthiest people of that time.

Athens- the cradle of democracy and the flourishing of the sciences of Ancient Greece, it is here that you can fully feel the spirit of enlightenment of that era. Nowadays, this is no longer so significant and major port from an economic point of view, but the historical and cultural component of this city is certainly a diamond in the entire Mediterranean.

Istanbul- former Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire that has sunk into oblivion and former capital Ottoman Empire. The city that separates Europe and Asia and is located on both continents across the Bosphorus Strait, like no other, has absorbed the culture of both civilizations, and is still one of the most important historical, cultural and economic centers of the world.

Climate, water temperature by month

The climate in the Mediterranean is subtropical. The sea is inland and surrounded by three continents, which has formed its own unique climate balance, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Sometimes it is even isolated as a separate type or as a specific subtype of subtropical climate and is called “Mediterranean.”

In winter, the sea reduces pressure along the entire coast, which leads to quite large storms and waves of up to 8 m. The sea during this period is almost always not calm, and the weather is rainy and cloudy

As heavenly compensation for a “bad” winter, in summer, on the contrary, high pressure prevails and almost all summer days the sea is calm and the sky is clear. What residents and visitors of the coast can enjoy.

The average temperature on the southern and northern coasts is different. The influence of the deserts of Africa is warming southern borders seas. Therefore in the south average temperature is 16 degrees, and in the north - 10 degrees. During the “velvet” season (August-September), the average temperature is 30 and 22 degrees, respectively, along the coasts.

The water warms up to 27 degrees in areas of Tunisia and the coast of Israel. The Spanish and Turkish coasts warm up to 22 degrees, which provides comfortable tourist conditions.

The average water temperature for the entire sea is presented in the table below:

January 14°C
February 13°C
March 15°C
April 16°C
May 17°C
June 20°C
July 24°C
August 26°C
September 25°C
October 21°C
November 18°C
December 15°C

Holidays on the Mediterranean Sea: when is the best time to go?

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is located in the northern hemisphere, so it is better to go on vacation in the summer, August, September throughout the Mediterranean Sea - the Velvet season. The warm sea and pleasant coolness in the evening will provide an unforgettable vacation for the most fastidious tourist anywhere on the map.

This is true for European resorts, in the southern part of the sea African countries and The coasts of Israel and Cyprus are suitable for swimming almost all year round. During the winter period there can often be heavy rains, so your vacation can be spoiled by these circumstances. And even if you choose more warm countries The Mediterranean region is best visited in summer or early autumn.

The best resorts in the Mediterranean

By far the best tourist countries in this region everyone has long known:


These countries have long been favored by our compatriots and are famous great beaches and good service, some of them are especially popular.

Greece: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places.

Greece - one of the best resort regions This country is the island of Corfu.

Located in the Ionian Sea, far from the noise of big cities on a secluded island, there are 200 km of transparent beaches, coupled with ancient buildings, shrouded in olive groves and cypress forests, giving an unforgettable ambience to this place.

The capital of the island is the city of Kerkyra. Previously, the entire island was called this in honor of the mythological nymph Kerkyra - the beloved of the god of the sea Poseidon himself.

Hotels are mostly located in the following cities of the island:

  • Kerkyra.
  • Paleokastritsa.
  • Benitses.
  • Kavos.

The most expensive hotels are located in Kerkyra and Paleokastritsa, the price reaches 10-12 thousand rubles per night. In Benitses and Kavos the prices are more affordable - from 1923 rubles. per night.

The selection of the best hotels, according to visitor reviews, is as follows for each city.

Kerkyra:

  • Hotel Locandiera - RUB 8,463.
  • Hotel Bella Venezia – RUB 9,386.
  • Hotel Konstantinoupolis - 6,386 rubles.
  • Hotel Mayor Mon Repos Palace - RUB 8,628.
  • Hotel Corfu Palace Hotel— 10,502 rub.

Paleokastritsa:


Benitses:

  • Hotel Eros Beach Hotel— 4,616 rub.
  • Hotel Hotel Kaiser Bridge - RUB 6,386.
  • Bella Vista Beach Hotel - RUB 2,770.
  • Bella Vista Beach Hotel — RUB 8,463.
  • Benitsa Beach Hotel — RUB 2,539.
  • Hotel Karina Hotel — 4,154 rub.

Kavos:

  • Hotel Melissa Apartments - RUB 1,923.
  • Mediterranean Hotel Blue — 2,389 rub.
  • Seaside Resorts Hotel - RUB 2,308.
  • Erofili Hotel - 3,000 rubles.
  • Hotel Kavos Plaza Hotel— 5,297 rub.
  • Hotel Oula Maisonettes - RUB 2,077.

Türkiye: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Antalya - tourist capital Turkey, all tourists fly to the airport of this particular city, and then go on transfers to nearby resorts. IN historical center there are many “artifact buildings” for history buffs. The Byzantine Church of Panagia and the Ivli Minaret are among ancient buildings in the city.

The archeology museum is definitely worth a visit. A selection of the best hotels according to visitor reviews, during the high season (August-September, prices per night):


Kemer is the greenest resort in Turkey, located near the city national park, and the beaches are considered the cleanest in the country. The lack of cultural and historical attractions is fully compensated by environmentally friendly and healthy recreation and unity with nature.

Hotel selection:

  • Hotel Maxx Royal Kemer Resort - RUB 75,781.
  • Camyuva Beach Hotel — RUB 10,254.
  • Hotel Simena Sun Club— 13,399 rub.
  • Hotel Berke Ranch&Nature - RUB 4,039.

Alanya is a choice for those who love a golden mean. The city has historical sights and is bustling with active night life. The entire coastline is strewn with an endless string of hotels. Here you can equally well wander through the ruins of an ancient city and oriental bazaars and arrange an entertaining curtsy with a long auto-party.

Top hotels:


Spain: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Spain is a country with access not only to the Mediterranean Sea. It also has famous resorts on Canary Islands and San Sebastian, located in the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay, respectively. However, we we're talking about the Mediterranean is why we will talk about them.

Among them, the most famous are naturally the Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Mallorca) and the Costa Brava. Costa Brava is located on mainland Spain near Barcelona.

Ibiza is the center of parties throughout Europe, and local discos are famous far beyond its borders.

Best hotels (prices per night):


Mallorca is famous for its unforgettable beaches and mild climate. The party life is not as intense as in Ibiza, making this place ideal for families with children. Among the attractions, architecture lovers should definitely visit the Almudaina Palace. A rather extravagant building, made in the Arabic style, is located in the capital of the island, Palma de Mallorca.

Top hotels:

  • Hotel Rural Sa Posada d'Aumallia - RUB 11,065.
  • Hotel Red house Mallorca - RUB 16,002.
  • Myseahouse Flamingo Hotel - RUB 21,676.
  • Hotel Europe Playa Marina - RUB 15,061.
  • Hotel Sa Casa Rotja – RUB 9,797.

Italy: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Italy is a special country for travel and beach tourism not an exception. The atmosphere of this country will forever remain in your heart, no matter where you are. And the kitchen will take your gastronomic needs to a new level. Italy has one of the longest coastlines and you can relax on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea literally throughout the country. Let's highlight some of the best resorts Italy.

Sorrento, a city located near Naples, on the coast Tyrrhenian Sea. One of the features is the short beach area and large steep banks. The Basilica of St. Anthony, named after the patron saint of the city, is one of the best examples of Italian architecture, painted inside with the colors of the famous Giambattista Lama.

Top hotels:


On the other side of the Italian boot, Rimini is considered one of the best resorts, despite the fact that the city is located in the north, thanks to the shallow waters, the water here warms up quickly and the swimming season begins in May.

Another good thing about holidays in Remini is that it’s easy to get to any continental city from here northern Italy Milan, Turin and Venice are very close. And these places are undoubtedly famous throughout the world, the attractions of which can be listed endlessly.

Best deals:

  • Hotel Parco dei Principi - RUB 10,095
  • Hotel La Gradisca — RUB 8,485.
  • Hotel Polo — 6,234 rub.
  • Hotel Diplomat Palace - RUB 7,772.

Egypt: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Egypt's main destination for tourism is the Red Sea, not the Mediterranean. The Red Sea has one indisputable advantage: the beach season is open here all year round. Historically, people prefer to visit Mediterranean resorts local residents.

The coastline of Egypt with the Mediterranean Sea is more than a thousand km and is conventionally divided into three regions: Sinai, the Nile Delta and the West Coast.

The Sinai direction is practically not represented in tourism at all, due to its proximity to the “hot spots” of the Gaza Strip. The Nile Delta is unsuitable for recreation as it is a large swampy area.

Western direction represented by resorts concentrated near Alexandria and Mersa Matrouh.

Alexandria - Oxford ancient world, a museum city, history buffs will appreciate this city as it deserves. And near Mersa Matrouh there is “Cleopatra Bay”. According to legend, the Egyptian queen loved to swim here.

The main advantage of the Egyptian-Mediterranean resorts over the Red Sea resorts is the much cheaper price tag for accommodation and food.

Top hotels:


While abroad, any tourist needs to make allowances for local customs and culture when communicating with the local population. Many things characteristic of domestic culture will not always be understood and accepted in another country.

You can often hear Russian spoken and meet many people who understand Russian in Turkey and Egypt. It is not at all necessary to buy dollars or change rubles when traveling to these countries - they are accepted there on an equal basis with the local currency.

The countries located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea have a multi-religious composition and in its different parts there live completely different peoples in their culture, religion and mentality. The world map shows that both Christian, Muslim and Jewish countries are located on the coast.

Article format: Vladimir the Great

Video about holidays on the Mediterranean Sea

Review of holidays in Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea:

Mediterranean Sea- the cradle of humanity! Powerful and great civilizations arose on the Mediterranean coasts, on the ruins of which the modern world developed and flourishes.

Its area can easily absorb Western Europe, color - to surprise with its beauty and richness, the sound of waves - to calm, and fishing - to bring pleasure...

What is this amazing part of the World Ocean like? Where it is located, what countries it washes, what depths and shores it has, what peaceful and dangerous animals and plants it hides in the abyss of its waters, what secrets it keeps - all this and a little more you will learn from this article.

1. Where is the Mediterranean Sea located?

The Mediterranean Sea is located between Asia, Africa and Europe, surrounded by continents, and only through the Strait of Gibraltar is it connected to the North Atlantic, the Bosporus Strait to the Black Sea, and through the Suez Canal is it bordered by the Red Sea.

2. Which countries does it wash?

The Mediterranean Sea is named so due to its location - among the continents (lands). The waters of this sea wash the coasts of more than 22 countries from west to east, including: Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

The coastal area of ​​the sea is represented by many islands, varying in area and population, the largest of which are considered:

  • O. Corsica;
  • O. Balearic;
  • O. Sardinia;
  • O. Sicily;
  • O. Cyprus;
  • O. Crete.

The Mediterranean coastline has many independent water areas - seas: Ligurian, Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Black, Ionian, Azov, Balearic, Aegean, Cretan, Levantine, Libyan and Alboran seas.

3. History and secrets of the Mediterranean Sea

The modern Mediterranean Sea is a remnant of the ancient Tesis basin, which once occupied the territory of Europe, North Africa, southern and western Asia. Over many millions of years, the strait connecting to the ocean was repeatedly closed and opened. Subsequently, the sea dried up and could no longer fill to its former size. The modern relief was formed due to changes in the Earth's climate.

The Mediterranean territory was one of the first to be inhabited by humans, and it was here that writing was first born, many great states were formed, and world religions were born.

In 1833, an Englishman, a geologist by profession, Charles Lyell, began to study this ancient sea.

Educational film on English language about the Mediterranean Sea

4. Natural characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea has an area of ​​2965.5 thousand square meters. km. The average depth of the sea is 1,500 m. The greatest is 5,092 m and is located in the depression of the Ionian Sea (the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula). The total length of the sea is 3,800 m.

Salinity level of some seas:

  • Black Sea - 18%;
  • Adriatic Sea - 36%;
  • Aegean Sea - 37%;
  • Ligurian Sea - 38%;
  • Mediterranean Sea - 39%.

4.1 Climate

The word “climate” is translated from ancient Greek as “slope” and refers to the inclination of the sun’s rays in relation to the earth’s surface. Climate is a long-term, established weather regime, in contrast to weather conditions, which are changeable.

Climatic conditions are determined by the location of the sea - the subtropical zone determines such a climate in independent type"Mediterranean".

For countries washed by the waters of this sea, winter is characterized by a decrease in atmospheric pressure, which leads to precipitation and storms. During such a period, a cyclone hangs over the sea, accompanied by cloudiness, winds increase in different directions. The height of the waves can exceed 8 m. In summer there is an anticyclone, the pressure rises and during this period clear, sunny, not rainy weather prevails.

The temperature in the southern part of the sea in January ranges from 14 to 16 degrees, in the northern part - from 7 to 10 degrees. In summer (August) the average air temperature is 22 - 24 degrees in the northern part and up to 30 degrees in the southern regions.

Air humidity in summer is 50 - 65%, and in winter from 65 to 80%. Cloudiness in summer is from 0 to 3 points, in winter – 6 points.

Hot cities: Larnaca, Limassol, Tel Aviv and Antalya. In these regions, the water temperature in the summer months reaches 27 degrees. Next come the cities with water temperatures of no more than 25 degrees: Valencia, Malta and Heraklion. The coasts of Barcelona, ​​Athens and Malaga are considered even less hot (up to 22 degrees of water).

4.2 Bottom topography

The bottom relief of the Mediterranean Sea is represented by rapids, basins, ridges, depressions, bays and volcanic cones. The sea basin is divided into Western and Eastern parts. Thus, the bottom of the western basin is more flat, and the bottom of the eastern basin has depressions and ridges stretching from Cyprus to the Apennine Peninsula.

Here, under the water column, there are cones of active and extinct volcanoes and tectonic depressions. Yes, most deep place in the sea - the Hellenic Trench, 5121 m deep. The bottom of the sea is rich in deposits of rock salt, potassium and sulfur. Natural gas and oil are produced here.

The largest bays of the Mediterranean Sea:

  • Valencian;
  • Lyonsky;
  • Genoese;
  • Taranto;
  • Sidra or Greater Sirte;
  • Gabes or Little Sirte.

Interestingly, at the bottom of the sea there are many remains of ships, the exact number of which, to this day, has not been established.

4.3 Water

The amount of water evaporation in the Mediterranean Sea exceeds the amount of precipitation, since the sea is surrounded by countries with arid climates. The water deficit is replenished by North Atlantic waters entering through the Strait of Gibraltar. During the process of evaporation, the salinity and density of water increases, which settles at depth, which makes this water area warmer. Depending on the season, the density of water changes. Interestingly, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the warmest and saltiest seas.

Water circulation occurs due to wind currents. The current speed in open sea areas reaches up to 1 km/h, in the straits – from 2 to 4 km/h. Water transparency is from 50 to 60 m. The water has a rich blue color.

4.4 Ebbs and flows

Does the sea have ebbs and flows (periodic fluctuations in water levels up and down as a result of changes in the position of the sun and moon relative to the Earth)? Yes, they are not large, on average from 1 to 2 cm in both directions. This is due to the fact that the sea is cut off from the Atlantic by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar and, accordingly, the gravitational force of the moon does not act on it.

You can read more about the ebb and flow of tides on the Wikipedia pages

Also, the tides are influenced by depth, water salinity, atmospheric pressure, and coastal topography. The highest tides are observed in the bay called “Gabes”, which is located in the northern part of Africa and this is due to its huge shape (100 km in length and width).

Peak tide is when the sun and moon are either on the same side of the Earth (new moon) or on opposite sides (full moon) and the gravitational forces of these objects are combined, which affects the appearance of tides.

You can find the forecast of Mediterranean wave heights and tides on the Mediterranean coast of Israel on the website of Oceanographic and Limnological Research https://isramar.ocean.org.il/isramar2009/TideHadera/default.aspx

5. Mediterranean life

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is represented by animals and flora, which is related to the geological history of the sea and living conditions.

5.1 Plant life

Despite the scarce phytoplankton found in the upper layers of the sea, the vegetation here is diverse: more than 800 species of green, brown, red algae and plants. Notable is the world's largest sea grass, Posidonia oceanica, which has proliferated in colonies (more than 700 km). This is one of the oldest plants, more than 100 thousand years old.

5.2 Fauna

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is diverse, but the number of resident species is not large, which is due to the poor development of plankton in Mediterranean waters.

Plankton– various organisms freely floating in water (bacteria, algae, invertebrate larvae, small mollusks, etc.). You can find out more about this type of life on the Wikipedia pages.

The fauna is represented by more than 800 species of various mollusks: squid, cuttlefish, octopus, crabs, shrimp and others.

5.3 Fishes of the Mediterranean Sea

Winter period is the most massive for accumulation different types fish, since in other months (spring-summer) they spawn and feed, so they stay more dispersed.

Among the inhabitants there are more than 700 species of various fish, more than 290 of which live in the coastal waters of Israel:

The blue shark also lives in the Mediterranean Sea. There are more than 40 species of Mediterranean sharks. There are also stingrays, moray eels, reaching 0.5 m in length, dolphins, seals, porpoises and killer whales. There are also sea turtles, which are represented by 3 species.

A detailed list of fish living in the Mediterranean Sea can be found on the pages of Wikipedia

There are 4 species of flying fish off the Israeli coast:

  • exocoetus obtusirostris;
  • exocoetus volitans;
  • hirundichthys rondeletii;
  • parexocoetus mento.

5.4 Dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea

Sharks- not only terrifying inhabitants of the sea, but also irreplaceable cleaners of the sea spaces from various types of sick, weak inhabitants. Their population is declining. For example, the hammerhead shark was last observed only in 1955.

stingray– has poisonous spines located in the tail part of the body.

Electric Stingray– capable of giving any attacker an electric shock.

6. Features of the coast

North coast has a complex topography: the shores are high, rocky and steep with large bays.

South coast– smooth. Mountains stretch from the western part, and in the east they disappear and the coast becomes smooth and sandy (almost deserted).

The total length of the Mediterranean coast is 46 thousand km. Interestingly, this area of ​​water would easily be enough to swallow Western Europe!

6.1 Israel's sea coast

The coast of Israel is washed by the western waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean territory extends from Israel's northern border to the Gaza Strip. Also on the coast there is a plain called “Coastal”, stretching for 187 km from Lebanon to the Gaza Strip. The plain is divided into cultural and geographical areas and has many sandy beaches.

The Mediterranean coast consists not only of plains and beaches, but also rocky shores and reefs.

6.2 Port cities of Israel


  • adaptation to the Mediterranean climate - unhurried summer walks along the sunny coast;
  • apply protective creams against sun rays;
  • beware of marine life;
  • don't forget about high waves, rocky bottom and very dangerous rip currents.

You can read more about the phenomenon of rip currents on Wikipedia.

A short video on what to do if you get caught in a rip current in the Mediterranean Sea

The ancient Mediterranean Sea had many names:

  • "Akdeniz" or "White Sea" (Turks);
  • "Our Sea" or "Inland" (ancient Romans);
  • "Sea of ​​Sunset" (Babylonians).
  • “Great Sea” (Hebrew ‏הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל‏‎, Ha-Yam Ha-Gadol).

This sea includes in its expanses many small seas and various islands, which in ancient times were independent states.

The Mediterranean Sea is famous for the habitat of such an animal as the “sponge”, which later received the name “toilet sponge”, since the dried skeletons of this inhabitant were used as washcloths.

In 2016, Spanish archaeologists discovered a ship from the Roman Empire that sank more than 1.5 thousand years ago at a depth of 70 m.

In the Strait of Messina, you can see a mirage.

What will happen if this Great Basin is drained? You will find the answer to this question if you watch this entertaining film (published by I. Garkalikov)

9. Useful links

— the book of general misconceptions contains many interesting facts about the Mediterranean Sea.

- an interesting article characterizing the Mediterranean Sea.

— an informative article about the currents and tides of the Mediterranean Sea, temperature, flora and fauna.

The Mediterranean Sea is considered intercontinental. It washes Europe, Africa, Asia and is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar (length 65 km, minimum width 14 km). The water surface area of ​​the intercontinental reservoir is 2.5 million square meters. km. The average depth is 1540 m. The maximum depth reaches 5267 m in the Ionian Sea, near the city of Pylos in southern Greece. The volume of water is 3.84 million cubic meters. km.

The length of the sea from west to east is 3800 km. The most southern point The reservoir is located in Africa in the Gulf of Sirte. The northernmost in the Adriatic Sea. The western one is in Gibraltar, and the eastern one is in Iskanderun Bay (southern Turkey).

Taking into account its shape, the intercontinental reservoir is divided into 2 basins. Western from Gibraltar to Sicily, and eastern from Sicily to the coast of Syria. The minimum width of sea waters is 130 km and runs between Cape Granitola (Sicily) and Cape Bona (Tunisia). The maximum width is 1665 km between Trieste (a city in Italy) and Greater Sirte (a bay on the coast of Libya).

The Mediterranean basin includes seas such as Marmara, Black and Azov. Communication with them is carried out through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits. Through the Suez Canal, a huge body of water is connected to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The intercontinental body of water itself has its own internal sea - the Adriatic. It is located between the Apennine and Balkan peninsulas. The Adriatic Sea is connected to the main waters by the Strait of Otranto, 47 km wide.

Mediterranean coast

Geography

Countries

The waters of a huge reservoir wash countries in which people with completely different cultures and mentalities live.

On the European coast there are states such as Spain (population 47.3 million people), France (66 million people), Italy (61.5 million people), Monaco (36 thousand people), Malta (453 thousand people ), Slovenia (2 million people), Croatia (4.4 million people), Bosnia and Herzegovina (3.8 million people), Montenegro (626 thousand people), Albania (2.8 million people), Greece (10.8 million people), Turkish Eastern Thrace (7.8 million people).

The following states are located on the African coast: Egypt (82.3 million people), Libya (5.6 million people), Tunisia (10.8 million people), Algeria (38 million people), Morocco (32.6 million people), Spanish Ceuta and Melilla (144 thousand people).

On the Asian coast there are states such as Turkey in Asia Minor (68.9 million people), Syria (22.5 million people), Cyprus (1.2 million people), Lebanon (4.2 million people), Israel (8 million people), Sinai peninsula Egypt (520 thousand people).

Seas

The huge body of water has its own seas. Their names and boundaries were formed historically many centuries ago. Let's look at them from west to east.

Alboran Sea located in front of the Strait of Gibraltar. Its length is 400 km and its width is 200 km. The depth varies from 1000 to 1500 meters.

Balearic Sea washes the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. It is separated from the main body of water by the Balearic Islands. Its average depth is 770 meters.

Ligurian Sea located between the islands of Corsica and Elba. It washes France, Italy and Monaco. The average depth is 1200 meters.

Tyrrhenian Sea splashing around west coast Italy. Limited to the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. This is a deep tectonic basin with a depth of 3 thousand meters.

Adriatic Sea lies between the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas. It washes Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. In the northern part, the depth of the reservoir is only a few tens of meters, but in the south it reaches 1200 meters.

Ionian Sea located south of the Adriatic Sea between the Apennine and Balkan Peninsulas. It washes the shores of Crete, Peloponnese, and Sicily. The average depth corresponds to 2 km.

Aegean Sea located between Asia Minor and the Balkan Peninsula, limited to the south by the island of Crete. Connects through the Dardanelles with the Sea of ​​Marmara. The depth ranges from 200 to 1000 meters.

Cretan Sea located between Crete and the Cyclades archipelago. The depth of these waters varies from 200 to 500 meters.

Libyan Sea located between Crete and North Africa. The depth of these waters reaches 2 thousand meters.

Cyprus Sea located between Asia Minor and the northern African coast. This is the warmest and sunniest part of the Mediterranean. Here the depth reaches 4300 meters. This body of water is conventionally divided into the Levantine and Cilician seas.

Mediterranean Sea on the map

Rivers

These flow into the Mediterranean Sea large rivers like the Nile (the second longest river in the world), the largest river in Italy, the Po with a length of 652 km, the Italian Tiber river with a length of 405 km, the largest big river Spain's Ebro (910 km) and Rhone (812 km), flowing through Switzerland and France.

Islands

There are many islands. These are Cyprus, Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesbos, Lemnos, Corfu, Chios, Samos, Kefalonia, Andros, Naxos. All of them are located in the eastern Mediterranean. In the central part there are islands such as Corsica, Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Cres, Korcula, Brac, Pag, Hvar. In the western part are the Balearic Islands. This is 4 large islands: Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera. Near them there are small islands.

Climate

The climate is strictly specific, Mediterranean. It is characterized by hot and dry summers and mild winters. In winter, the sea experiences frequent storms and rain. Local winds, bora and mistral, dominate. Summer is characterized by clear weather, minimal clouds and light precipitation. There are fogs. Sometimes there is a dusty haze, which is blown out of Africa by the Sirocco wind.

The average winter temperature in the southern part of the reservoir is 14-16 degrees Celsius. In the northern part of the reservoir it is 8-10 degrees Celsius. In summer, average temperatures in the north are 22-24 degrees Celsius, and in the south, respectively, 26-30 degrees Celsius. The minimum precipitation occurs in August, and the maximum occurs in December.

View of the Mediterranean Sea from space

Sea level rise

According to experts, by 2100 the level of Mediterranean waters may rise by 30-60 cm. As a result, the most of islands of Malta. 200 square meters will be flooded. km in the Nile Delta, which will force 500 thousand Egyptians to leave their ancestral lands. The salt level in groundwater will increase, which will reduce the amount drinking water along the entire Mediterranean coast. In the 22nd century the level sea ​​water may rise another 30-100 cm. This will cause significant economic, political and natural changes in the Mediterranean.

Ecology

IN last years There was extremely high pollution of sea water. According to the UN, 650 million tons of wastewater, 129 tons of mineral oils, 6 tons of mercury, 3.8 tons of lead, and 36 thousand tons of phosphates were discharged into the Mediterranean Sea annually. Many marine species are on the verge of destruction. This primarily concerns white-bellied seals and sea turtles. At the bottom is great amount garbage. Most of the seabed is dotted with it.

Environmental problems have hit the fishery. Fish such as bluefin tuna, hake, swordfish, red mullet, and sea bream are on the verge of destruction. The size of commercial catches is decreasing from year to year. Tuna has been fished in the Mediterranean for thousands of years, but currently stocks are extremely low. Over the past 20 years they have decreased by 80%.

Tourism

The unique climate, beautiful coastline, rich history and culture attract millions of tourists to the Mediterranean every year. Their number is one third of all tourists in the world. Hence the enormous economic importance of tourism for this region.

But large financial flows cannot justify the degradation of the marine and coastal environment. Huge crowds of tourists pollute Mediterranean coast. The situation is aggravated by the fact that visitors from all over the world are concentrated in those areas where the highest level of natural resources is observed. All this causes irreparable damage to flora and fauna. Their destruction and destruction will reduce the flow of tourists. They will begin to look for new places on the planet where they can once again destroy the unique gifts of nature with impunity.

Mediterranean Sea surrounded on all sides by earth. One glance at the map is enough to agree with this judgment. This was also known ancient Greek scientist.

  • Countries and islands
  • Countries
  • Islands
  • Eastern Mediterranean

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Features of geographical location and climate

Mediterranean Sea it's not named in vain, from all sides it touches with continents.

Nowhere else in the world has this been found large indoor pool, which is connected to the ocean by only a tiny, for this scale, bridge - Strait of Gibraltar.

The sea in its own way geographical location is between: Asia, Europe, Africa.

Total area - 2,500 square kilometers. The maximum depth is 5,121 meters.

It is connected by channels and straits with Black, Red And Seas of Marmara.

Concerning bottom relief, then everything he has is typical for the sea peculiarities:

  • continental slope rugged by canyons;
  • shelf narrow.

    • Part Mediterranean Sea includes inland seas:

    • Aegean;
    • Alboran;
    • Adriatic;

      • When planning a vacation on the Adriatic Sea, find out detailed information about its resorts from this article

    • Balearic;
    • Ionian;
    • Ligurian;
    • Tyrrhenian.

    in winter the weather is very changeable, regularly there are storms, and pass heavy rainfall. The temperature drops significantly due to the influence northern winds.

    In summer observed here dry fog and not a large number of precipitation.

    Tourists they come en masse to these places closer to mid-summer. By July the reservoir warms up to +27 degrees.

    Countries and islands

    To the Mediterranean include vast territories of countries and islands. We give examples of some of them below.

    Countries

    • Türkiye. There are resorts here that are very popular Russian tourists. Most of the service staff are talking in Russian, which simplifies holidays in a foreign country for our tourists. There are a lot of excellent ones here beaches, inexpensive hotels and one of the best in the world kitchens. The reservoir washes the following major Turkish cities - Mersin, Istanbul, Antalya And Izmir.
    • Italy. It is located in the western Mediterranean. People come here to eat delicious pizza And spaghetti and also enjoy warm sun. Resort towns are considered Rome, Sicily And Milan.

      • Italy - beautiful place for relaxation not only in summer, but also in winter. Read about winter resorts of this country here

    • Spain. Ibiza, Barcelona And Majorca– these are exactly the settlements where travelers come who want to have fun and have a good time. Especially it concerns youth, loving noisy parties.
    • Croatia. A country attractive for tourists, first of all, quickly gaining momentum yachting. For this purpose the state allocates multi-million dollar investment.
    • Montenegro. The beach is especially worth a look Ada Boyana. Here the purest sand, which can only be found throughout Adriatic. In addition, tourism is actively developing here among nudists.
    • Albania. Chic kitchen, beautiful landscapes– this is how local resorts are characterized.

      • In ancient times it was believed that the Mediterranean Sea was located in the center of the world. The Roman aborigines called it By inland sea, since all its shores were conquered by them.

    • Morocco. Intersect here European And Islamic traditions and cultures. This fact attracts tourists. According to statistics, people also come here to see cultural attractions. Particularly popular Casablanca.
    • Tunisia. Ancients museums, mysterious artifacts, monuments architecture, memorable markets– at local resorts you can’t find any miracles.

    Islands

    Also in the Mediterranean a bunch of big and small islands, interesting for travelers. Among them stand out:

    • Djerba. Located in the north Africa. Translated from ancient Arabic as "wheat town". The island is mentioned in the famous "Odyssey" Homer. Pink flamingos, ancient synagogue, fireballs, local delicious rice– something like this simply cannot be missed if you find yourself in Djerba.
    • Sardinia. Located next to Dirk And Sicily. Archaeologists constantly find various tombs And ziggurats. These are the main attractions of the island.
    • Vulcano. Tourists come here to see the numerous volcanic craters.

    Scientists have found out that due to the catastrophic floods, which occurred 5.3 million years ago, is precisely filling occurred Mediterranean Sea. In two years such a large water basin was formed!

    Eastern Mediterranean

    Most often to Eastern Mediterranean include the shores of Greece, Italy and Turkey, this the opinion is wrong. If we approach this issue from a geographical point of view and look at the map, it turns out that the Eastern Mediterranean includes:

  • Syria;
  • Palestine;
  • Cyprus;

    • Have you decided to relax in Cyprus? Find out what others think about the island's hotels in this article

  • Lebanon;
  • Jordan.
  • Israel;

    • Pros and cons of holidays on the Mediterranean Sea

    On the Mediterranean Sea ideal to relax in September. At this time already the heat subsides, and the water remains warm. An additional advantage is that the reservoir contains a large amount healthy salts And No dangerous poisonous plants And animals.

    Can be inspected attractions completely different countries of the world and get to know them culture. After all, the Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of a good half continents of the world.

    In Mediterranean resorts there is a very developed resort and medical infrastructure. Therefore, people suffering diseases of various origins, can easily find a place for relaxation and recovery.

    There are no cons. Unless, of course, you consider the scorching summer sun a disadvantage.



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