Mediterrâneo

Mediterrâneo, commonly known in English as the Mediterranean Sea, is a large inland sea bounded by Southern Europe to the north, North Africa to the south, and the Levant to the east. It covers about 2.5 million square kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of around 5,267 meters in the Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea. The sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar and to the Black Sea via the Turkish Straits—the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles. Its circulation comprises western and eastern basins with distinct dynamics.

The Mediterranean is divided into western, central, and eastern basins and features numerous islands such as Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, and Cyprus. The rim climate is typically Mediterranean: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The region hosts diverse habitats—from seagrass meadows to coral communities—and countless species, including many endemics. The Suez Canal has enabled Lessepsian migration, bringing Red Sea species into the eastern basin and altering ecosystems.

Historically, Mediterrâneo has been a cradle of civilizations, fostering trade and cultural exchange among Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the present day, it remains a vital shipping route and tourism hub, while overfishing, pollution, and coastal development pose ongoing environmental pressures.

Governance relies on regional agreements and protected areas, including the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean and a network of marine protected areas aimed at conservation and sustainable use.