Aegean

The Aegean Sea is an elongated sea in the eastern Mediterranean, bounded by the Greek mainland and its islands to the west and by the western coast of Asia Minor (Anatolia) to the east. It is connected to the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea via the Dardanelles and Bosporus, and it opens to the wider Mediterranean to the south. The Aegean contains thousands of islands, including major groups such as the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Sporades, and the North Aegean Islands, as well as Crete.

The name Aegean derives from Greek mythology (Aegeus), but the term is used for the sea in modern times. The Aegean has been central to ancient civilizations, notably the Bronze Age Minoan civilization on Crete and the Mycenaean civilizations on the Greek mainland and islands. During antiquity it served as a major maritime trade route and cultural link, contributing to the spread of Greek language and culture. Today it remains important for shipping, fishing, tourism, and regional economies.

Geologically, the Aegean region is highly tectonically active, part of the Hellenic arc, with extensional basins and numerous islands created by ongoing crustal movement. Seismic activity is common. The sea supports diverse marine life and ecosystems and faces environmental pressures from fishing, tourism, pollution, and invasive species.