Mediterranean

Mediterranean refers to the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding region that borders it, spanning parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The sea covers about 2.5 million square kilometers and is bordered by numerous nations. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar and to the Black Sea via the Dardanelles and Bosporus, with the Suez Canal linking it to the Red Sea. This configuration has made the Mediterranean a historic crossroads for trade and cultural exchange.

Geographically, the region includes a range of coastal and island landscapes, with larger landmasses such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and the coasts of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Syria. The climate is largely of the Mediterranean type: mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, supporting sclerophyllous vegetation such as maquis and crops like olives, grapes, citrus, and grains.

Historically, the Mediterranean has been a cradle of ancient civilizations, including the Hellenic and Roman worlds, Phoenician traders, and later Arab, Ottoman, and European cultures. It has hosted diverse religious and linguistic communities and served as a major conduit for science, art, and commerce.

In modern times, the Mediterranean remains a vital economic and cultural region, with tourism, shipping, and fishing forming important sectors. It faces environmental pressures from pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change, prompting regional cooperation on marine protection and sustainable development.