Egeo

Egeo is the Italian name for the Aegean Sea, a marginal sea of the eastern Mediterranean. In Italian usage the term Egeo is standard, and it is sometimes encountered in Spanish and Turkish contexts as well. The Aegean lies between the Greek mainland and the many eastern islands, and between western Turkey and its Aegean coast. The northern boundary is formed by the Dardanelles and the Sea of Marmara, connecting to the Black Sea; the southern boundary stretches toward Crete and the Libyan Sea.

Geography and islands: The Aegean comprises thousands of islands and islets, of which around 200 are inhabited. The major island groups include the Cyclades in the central Aegean, the Dodecanese in the southeast, the Sporades off the mainland, and the North Aegean Islands near Thrace. The region contains extensive coastlines, sheltered channels, and a complex network of straits and gulfs that shape local climate, navigation, and settlement.

Geology: The Aegean is part of the complex tectonic setting of the Hellenic arc and is characterized by an extensional basin with volcanic and seismic activity. Notable volcanic islands such as Santorini exemplify its geologic diversity.

History and culture: The Aegean has been a cradle of ancient civilizations, notably the Minoans and Mycenaeans, and a hub of maritime trade, colonization, and cultural exchange that influenced classical Greek civilization. In modern times the region has been central to Greek-Turkish relations, Mediterranean tourism, and regional shipping networks.

Economy and environment: Tourism, fishing, and shipping are key economic activities in the Aegean. Environmental pressures include overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of tourism, alongside ongoing seismic activity and strong seasonal winds known as meltemi.