Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean sea on world map with countries

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

Mediterranean cruises are an opportunity to see past eras with your own eyes, visiting the monuments of antiquity, the masterpieces of the Middle Ages and the outstanding creations of our time. Every day of such a trip brings new impressions, new states of the Mediterranean Sea: the sandy beaches of Tunisia and Malta, ancient Pompeii and formidable Vesuvius, the leaning tower in 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 the sun and wine, spaghetti and olive oil, high fashion and masterpieces of world architecture. And after a busy journey through its 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 is another Mediterranean country - a picturesque area with upscale resorts, rich nature and ancient cities. And, of course, sea cruises in the Mediterranean are not complete without visiting Mallorca and Ibiza.

In France, every city is a cultural monument or a historical museum, a wine-growing center or a luxurious resort. Paris, Nice, Cannes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Avignon - sights here are found at every step. The landscapes of the country are no less picturesque: the snow-white peaks of the Alps, the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, medieval castles, vast vineyards and charming old distilleries.
Malta is another amazing destination on many Mediterranean cruises. This is a contrasting island, the northeastern coast of which is densely populated, and the almost lifeless southern coast breaks off with sheer cliffs to 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 touch to cruises in the western Mediterranean. It is located at the crossroads 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 a dynamically developing tourist infrastructure. In addition to traditional beach holidays and modern hotels, Tunisia is ancient oriental architecture, unusual cuisine and numerous colorful markets.

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

Montenegro is a Mediterranean country famous for its resorts. Ada Bojana is the southern beach of the country, with a total length of 3.8 kilometers. The beach is covered with the best sand in the entire Adriatic. The island of Ada Bojana has a triangular shape. From two sides, the coast of the island is washed by the Bojana River, and from the third - by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. On the island you can find excellent hotels, good fun - everything your heart desires. The resort town of Becici is another pride of Montenegro. The local resort is famous for its delightful 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. By far the most popular resort in 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 the development of tourism infrastructure. The beaches of Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece annually attract tens of millions of tourists. But, for example, to Lebanon or Syria, tourists are not in a hurry to go.
If you want to have a royal rest, then the city of Limassol (Cyprus) is already waiting for you.

If you want to diversify your vacation, then in addition to the already well-known resorts in Greece, Turkey or Italy, you can go to Algeria or Libya. Now countries are actively equipping their resort beaches. Certainly they have potential.

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

Along with this material they usually read:

For lovers of an unconditionally comfortable stay, cruise liners have been created and special routes and entertainment programs have been developed on board. Having bought such a cruise, you will not need anything! Your ship will carry you through the waves like a floating luxury hotel.

Everyone in school read ancient Greek legends. And if I didn’t read avidly, then I clearly heard the names of gods and heroes. A trip to Rhodes can completely immerse you in the atmosphere of past millennia, give you a chance for a miracle. Perhaps you will be lucky! Take a chance!

If you are going on a New Year's tour of the Mediterranean, be sure to include Greece in your itinerary. Holidays in this country will give you a feeling of an ongoing miracle, which is so important to feel at this time of the year for both adults and children.

Another country in the Mediterranean that you should definitely visit on a cruise is Israel. The Promised Land will amaze a traveler of any religion with its inner grandeur, and visiting religious shrines will be interesting not only for believers.

One of the largest seas. The adjective "Mediterranean" is widely used in describing peoples, countries, climate, vegetation; for many, the concept of "Mediterranean" is associated with a particular way of life or with a whole period in the history of mankind.

It divides Europe, Africa and Asia, but it also closely connected Southern Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. The length of this sea from west to east is approx. 3700 km, and from north to south (at its widest point) - approx. 1600 km. On the northern coast are Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Albania and Greece. From the east to the sea there are a number of Asian countries - Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Finally, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco are located on the south coast. The area of ​​the Mediterranean Sea is 2.5 million square meters. km, and, since only narrow straits connect it with other bodies of water, it can be considered an inland sea.

In the west, through the Strait of Gibraltar, 14 km wide and up to 400 m deep, it has access to the Atlantic Ocean. In the northeast, the Dardanelles, narrowing in places to 1.3 km, connects it with the Sea of ​​Marmara and through the Bosporus with the Black Sea. In the southeast, an artificial structure - the Suez Canal - connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red. These three narrow water passages have always been of great importance for trade, navigation and strategic purposes. At various times they were controlled - or sought to be controlled - by the British, the French, the Turks and the Russians. The Romans of Roman times referred to the Mediterranean as mare nostrum ("our sea").

Coastline mediterranean sea it is strongly indented, and numerous protrusions of the land divide it into many semi-isolated water areas that have their own names. These seas include: the Ligurian, located south of the Riviera and north of Corsica; the Tyrrhenian Sea, enclosed between peninsular Italy, Sicily and Sardinia; the Adriatic Sea, washing the shores of Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia and Albania; the Ionian Sea between Greece and southern Italy; the Cretan Sea between the island of Crete and peninsular Greece; Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece. There are also a number of large bays, such as Alicante - off the east coast of Spain; Lyon - off the southern coast of France; Taranto - between the two southern ledges of the Apennine Peninsula; Antalya and Iskenderun - off the southern coast of Turkey; Sidra - in the central part of the coast of Libya; Gabes and Tunisian - off the southeastern and northeastern coasts of Tunisia, respectively.

Contemporary is a relic of the ancient Tethys ocean, which was much wider and stretched far to the east. Relics of the Tethys Ocean are also the Aral, Caspian, Black and Marmara Seas, confined to its deepest depressions. Probably, Tethys was once completely surrounded by land, and between North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, in the region of the Strait of Gibraltar, there was an isthmus. The same land bridge connected southeastern Europe with Asia Minor. It is possible that the Bosphorus, Dardanelles and Gibraltar straits were formed on the site of flooded river valleys, and many island chains, especially in the Aegean Sea, were connected to the mainland.

In the Mediterranean Sea, the western and eastern depressions are distinguished. The border between them is drawn through the Calabrian ledge of the Apennine Peninsula, Sicily and the underwater bank Adventure (up to 400 m deep), stretched almost 150 km from Sicily to Cape Bon in Tunisia. Within both basins, even smaller ones are isolated, usually bearing the names of the corresponding seas, for example, the Aegean, Adriatic, etc. The water in the western basin is slightly colder and fresher than in the eastern one: in the west, the average temperature of the surface layer is approx. 12° C in February and 24° C in August, and in the east - 17° C and 27° C, respectively. One of the coldest and most stormy areas mediterranean sea is the Gulf of Lyon. The salinity of the sea varies widely, since less salty water comes from the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.

tides here they are low, but quite significant in very narrow straits and bays, especially during the full moon. However, rather strong currents are observed in the straits, directed both into the Mediterranean Sea and out of it. Evaporation is higher than in the Atlantic Ocean or the Black Sea, so surface currents arise in the straits, carrying fresher water to the Mediterranean Sea. At a depth below these surface currents, countercurrents occur, but they do not compensate for the influx of water near the surface.

Bottom The Mediterranean Sea in many places is composed of yellow carbonate silt, below which lies blue silt. Near the mouths of large rivers, blue silts are overlain by deltaic deposits, which occupy a large area. Depths mediterranean sea very different: the highest mark - 5121 m - was recorded in the Hellenic deep-water trench at the southern tip of Greece. The average depth of the western basin is 1430 m, and its shallowest part, the Adriatic Sea, has an average depth of only 242 m.

Above the common bottom mediterranean sea in some places, significant sections of dissected relief rise, the peaks of which form islands. Many (though not all) of them are of volcanic origin. Among the islands, we note, for example, Alboran, located east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and a group of Balearic Islands (Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera) east of the Iberian Peninsula; mountainous Corsica and Sardinia - to the west of the Apennine Peninsula, as well as a number of small islands in the same area - Elba, Pontine, Ischia and Capri; and north of Sicily, Stromboli and Lipari. Within the Eastern Mediterranean Basin is the island of Malta (south of Sicily), and further to the east - Crete and Cyprus. Small islands are numerous in the Ionian, Cretan and Aegean seas; among them stand out the Ionian - west of mainland Greece, the Cyclades - east of the Peloponnese and Rhodes - off the southwestern coast of Turkey.

Major rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea: Ebro (in Spain); Rhone (in France); Arno, Tiber and Volturno (in Italy). The rivers Po and Tagliamento (in Italy) and Isonzo (on the border of Italy and Slovenia) flow into the Adriatic Sea. The rivers Vardar (in Greece and Macedonia), Struma or Strymon, and Mesta or Nestos (in Bulgaria and Greece) belong to the Aegean Sea basin. The largest river in the Mediterranean basin, the Nile, is the only major river that flows into this sea from the south.

The Mediterranean Sea is famous for its calmness and beauty, but, like other seas, it can be rough in certain seasons, and then big waves crash on the coast. The Mediterranean has long attracted people with its favorable climate. The term "Mediterranean" itself is used to refer to a climate with long hot, clear and dry summers and short cool and wet winters. Many coastal areas mediterranean sea, especially the southern and eastern ones, are characterized by semiarid and arid features of the climate. In particular, semiaridity with an abundance of clear sunny days is considered typical of the Mediterranean climate. However, there are many cold days in winter when damp cold winds bring rain, drizzle and sometimes snow.

The Mediterranean is also famous for the attractiveness of its landscapes. Particularly picturesque are the French and Italian Riviera, the environs of Naples, the Adriatic coast of Croatia with numerous islands, the shores of Greece and Lebanon, where the steep slopes of the mountains approach the sea itself. Important trade routes passed through the main islands of the eastern Mediterranean and culture spread - from the Middle East, Egypt and Crete to Greece, Rome, Spain and France; another route ran along the southern coast of the sea - from Egypt to Morocco.

Flora and fauna mediterranean sea is characterized by a relatively weak quantitative development of phyto- and zooplankton, which entails a correlation. the paucity of larger animals that feed on them, including fish. The amount of phytoplankton in the surface horizons is only 8-10 mg/m?, at a depth of 1000-2000 m it is 10-20 times less. Algae are very diverse (peridine and diatoms predominate).

Fauna mediterranean sea characterized by high species diversity, but the number of representatives of the sep. species are small. There are kaki, one species of seals (white-bellied seal); sea ​​turtle. 550 species of fish (sharks, mackerels, herrings, anchovies, mullets, dolphins, tunas, bonitos, horse mackerels, etc.). About 70 species of endemic fish, including stingrays, anchovy species, gobies, sea. blenny, wrasse and needlefish. Of the edible mollusks, the most important are the oyster, the Mediterranean-Black Sea mussel, and the sea date. Of the invertebrates, octopuses, squids, sepia, crabs, spiny lobsters are common; numerous species of jellyfish, siphonophore; sponges and red coral live in some areas, especially in the Aegean.

Coastal countries of the Mediterranean Sea:

• Spain
• France
• Monaco
• Italy
• Malta
• Montenegro
• Croatia
• Slovenia
• Bosnia
• Albania
• Greece
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Ukraine
• Russia
• Georgia
• Türkiye
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Israel
• Egypt
• Libya
• Tunisia
• Algeria
• Morocco

The largest islands in the Mediterranean:

• Balearic
• Corsica
• Sardinia
• Sicily

In the Mediterranean Sea, the seas are distinguished: Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, Cretan, Aegean. The Mediterranean basin includes the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Black Sea, the Sea of ​​Azov.

The modern Mediterranean Sea is a relic of the ancient Tethys Ocean, which was much wider and stretched far to the east. Relics of the Tethys Ocean are also the Aral, Caspian, Black and Marmara Seas, confined to its deepest depressions. Probably, Tethys was once completely surrounded by land, and between North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, in the area of ​​​​the Strait of Gibraltar, there was an isthmus. The same land bridge connected southeastern Europe with Asia Minor. It is possible that the Bosphorus, Dardanelles and Gibraltar straits were formed on the site of flooded river valleys, and many island chains, especially in the Aegean Sea, were connected to the mainland.

The Mediterranean Sea juts out into the land between Europe, Africa and Asia.

The seas of the Mediterranean basin wash the shores of 21 states:

Europe (from west to east): Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus; Asia (from north to south): Turkey, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel; Africa (east to west): Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. In the northeast, through the Dardanelles, it connects with the Sea of ​​Marmara and further through the Bosphorus - with the Black Sea, in the southeast - with the Suez Canal - with the Red Sea.

The area is 2500 thousand km².

The volume of water is 3839 thousand km³.

The average depth is 1541 m, the maximum depth is 5121 m.

The shores of the Mediterranean Sea near the mountainous coasts are predominantly abrasion, leveled, near the low ones - lagoon-estuary and deltaic; the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea is characterized by Dalmatian-type coasts. The most significant bays: Valencia, Lyon, Genoa, Taranto, Sidra (B. Sirte), Gabes (M. Sirte).

Largest islands: Balearic, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Cyprus.

The large rivers Ebro, Rhone, Tiber, Po, Nile, etc. flow into the Mediterranean Sea; their total annual flow is approx. 430 km³.

The bottom of the Mediterranean Sea breaks up into several basins with relatively steep continental slopes, with a depth of 2000-4000 m; along the coasts, the basins are bordered by a narrow strip of shelf, expanding only between the coast of Tunisia and Sicily, as well as within the Adriatic Sea.

Geomorphologically, the Mediterranean Sea can be divided into three basins: Western - Algiers-Provencal basin with a maximum depth of over 2800 m, uniting the depressions of the Alboran, Balearic and Ligurian seas, as well as the depression of the Tyrrhenian Sea - over 3600 m; Central - over 5100 m (Central basin and depressions of the Adriatic and Ionian seas) and Eastern - Levantine, about 4380 m (hollows of the Levant, Aegean and Marmara seas).

The bottom of some basins is covered with Neogene-Anthropogenic strata (up to 5-7 km thick in the Balearic and Ligurian Seas) of sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Among the Messinian (Upper Miocene) deposits of the Algiers-Provencal Basin, a significant role belongs to the saline evaporite stratum (thickness of over 1.5-2 km), which forms structures characteristic of salt tectonics. Along the sides and in the center of the Tyrrhenian Basin there are several large faults with extinct and active volcanoes confined to them; some of them form large seamounts (Lipari Islands, Vavilov volcano, etc.). Volcanoes along the outskirts of the basin (in the Tuscan archipelago, on the Pontine Islands, Vesuvius, and the Aeolian Islands) erupt acidic and alkaline lavas, volcanoes in the center, parts of the Mediterranean Sea - deeper, basic lavas (basalts).

Part of the Central and Eastern (Levanta) basins are filled with sedimentary strata, including thick products of river runoff, especially the Nile. At the bottom of these basins, according to geophysical studies, the Hellenic deep-water trough and the Central Mediterranean swell were identified - a large arch up to 500-800 m high. Along the foot of the continental slope of Cyrenaica, the Libyan trough is traced, very clearly expressed in the relief and poorly filled with sediments. The basins of the Mediterranean Sea are very different in time of initiation. A significant part of the Eastern (Levantinsky) basin was laid down in the Mesozoic, the Algerian-Provencal basin - from the end of the Oligocene - the beginning of the Miocene, some basins of the Mediterranean Sea - at the beginning - the middle of the Miocene, Pliocene. At the end of the Miocene (Messianic Age), shallow basins already existed in most of the Mediterranean Sea. The depth of the Algiers-Provencal basin during the salt deposition in the Messinian was about 1-1.5 km. Salts accumulated as a result of strong evaporation and concentration of brine due to the influx of sea water into a closed reservoir through a strait that existed south of Gibraltar.

The modern depths of the Tyrrhenian depression were formed as a result of bottom subsidence during the Pliocene and Anthropogenic period (over the last 5 million years); as a result of the same relatively rapid subsidence, some other basins also arose. The formation of the basins of the Mediterranean Sea is associated either with stretching (pulling apart) of the continental crust, or with the processes of compaction of the earth's crust and its subsidence. In the department In areas of the basins, the processes of geosynclinal development continue. The bottom of the Mediterranean Sea in many parts is promising for the search for oil and gas deposits, especially in the area where salt domes are distributed. In shelf zones, oil and gas deposits are associated with Mesozoic and Paleogene deposits.

The hydrological regime of the Mediterranean Sea is formed under the influence of high evaporation and general climatic conditions. conditions. The predominance of the flow of fresh water over the inflow leads to a decrease in the level, which is the reason for the constant inflow of surface less saline water from the Atlantic. OK. and Black Cape. In the deep layers of the straits there is an outflow of highly saline water caused by the difference in water density at the level of the thresholds of the straits. Main water exchange occurs through the Strait of Gibraltar. (the upper current brings 42.32 thousand km³ of Atlantic water per year, and the lower reaches 40.80 thousand km³ of Mediterranean water); 350 and 180 km³ of water per year flows in and out through the Dardanelles, respectively.

The circulation of waters in S. of m has hl. arr. wind nature; it is represented by the main, almost zonal Canarian Current, which carries waters predominantly. Atlantic origin along Africa, from the Gibraltar Strait. to the shores of Lebanon, n system tsiklonich. gyres in isolated seas and basins to the left of this current. The water column to the depths. 750-1000 m is covered by a unidirectional water transfer in depth, with the exception of the Levantinsky intermediate countercurrent, which carries the Levantine waters from about. Malta to the Strait of Gibraltar along Africa.

The speeds of steady currents in the open part of the sea are 0.5-1.0 km/h, in some straits - 2-4 km/h. The average surface water temperature in February decreases from north to south from 8-12 to 17 °C in the east. and center. parts and from 11 to 15 °С by 3. In August, the average water temperature varies from 19 to 25 °С. - at the extreme east, it rises to 27-30 °C. Large evaporation leads to a strong increase in salinity. Its values ​​increase from 3. to V. from 36 to - 39.5. The density of water on the surface varies from 1.023-1.027 g/cm³ in summer to 1.027-1.029 g/cm³ in winter. During the period of winter cooling in districts with increased density, intensive convective mixing develops, which leads to the formation of highly saline and warm intermediate waters in the East. basin and deep waters in the north of the western basin, in the Adriatic and Aegean seas. In terms of bottom temperature and salinity, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the warmest and most saline seas in the world. (12.6-13.4 ° C and 38.4-38.7, respectively). Relates water transparency up to 50-60 m, color - intense blue.

The tides are mostly semidiurnal, their magnitude is less than 1 m, but in some parts. points in combination with wind surges, level fluctuations can reach 4 m (Genoa Bay, near the northern coast of Corsica Island, etc.). Strong tidal currents are observed in narrow straits (Messina Strait). Max. excitement is noted in winter (wave height reaches 6-8 m).

The climate of the Mediterranean Sea is determined by its position in the subtropical zone and is distinguished by great specificity, which distinguishes it as an independent Mediterranean climate type, characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. In winter, a hollow of low atmospheric pressure is established above the sea, which determines unstable weather with frequent storms and heavy precipitation; cold northerly winds lower the air temperature. Local winds develop: mistral in the area of ​​the Gulf of Lion and bora in the east of the Adriatic Sea. In summer, most of the Mediterranean Sea is covered by the crest of the Azores anticyclone, which determines the predominance of clear weather with little cloudiness and low rainfall. During the summer months, there are dry fogs and a dusty haze carried out of Africa by the southerly sirocco wind. In the Eastern basin, stable northerly winds - etesias - develop.

The average air temperature in January varies from 14-16°С near the southern coast to 7-10°С in the north, in August - from 22-24°С in the north to 25-30°С in the southern regions of the sea. Evaporation from the surface of the Mediterranean Sea reaches 1250 mm per year (3130 km3). Relative humidity varies from 50-65% in summer to 65-80% in winter. Cloudiness in summer 0-3 points, in winter about 6 points. The average annual precipitation is 400 mm (about 1000 km3), it varies from 1100-1300 mm in the northwest to 50-100 mm in the southeast, minimum - in July - August, maximum - in December.

Mirages are characteristic, which are often observed in the Messinian Strait. (the so-called Fata Morgana).

The flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is distinguished by a relatively weak quantitative development of phyto- and zooplankton, which entails a significant difference. the paucity of larger animals that feed on them, including fish. The amount of phytoplankton in the surface horizons is only 8-10 mg / m³, at a depth of 1000-2000 m it is 10-20 times less. Algae are very diverse (peridine and diatoms predominate).

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high species diversity, but the number of representatives of the sep. species are small. There are crayfish, one species of seals (white-bellied seal); sea ​​turtle. 550 species of fish (mackerel, herring, anchovy, mullet, dorado, tuna, bonito, horse mackerel, etc.). About 70 species of endemic fish, including stingrays, anchovy species, gobies, sea. blenny, wrasse and needlefish. Of the edible mollusks, the most important are the oyster, the Mediterranean-Black Sea mussel, and the sea date. Of the invertebrates, octopuses, squids, sepia, crabs, spiny lobsters are common; numerous species of jellyfish, siphonophore; sponges and red coral live in some areas, especially in the Aegean.

The coast of the Northern Sea has long been densely populated and is distinguished by a high level of economic development (especially the countries located along its northern coast).

Agriculture of the Mediterranean countries: stands out for the production of citrus fruits (about 1/3 of the world harvest), cotton, oilseeds. In the system of international trade and economic relations, trade and economic relations occupy a special position. Located at the junction of three parts of the world (Europe, Asia, and Africa), the Northern Sea is an important transport route along which Europe's maritime links with Asia, North Africa, and also Australia and Oceania run. Important trade routes linking Russia and Ukraine with Western countries, as well as large cabotage lines between the Black Sea and a number of other ports of Russia and Ukraine, run along the S. m.

The transport significance of the Northern Sea area for Western Europe is continuously increasing due to the growing dependence of these countries on the import of raw materials. The role of S. m is especially great in oil transportation. S. m. is an important "oil" route between Western Europe and the Middle East. The share of southern ports (the chief of which are Marseille, Trieste, Genoa) in the supply of Western Europe with oil is constantly growing (about 40% in 1972). Seaports are connected by pipelines both with the countries of Western Europe, including Austria, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and with the oil fields of the Middle East and North Africa. Transportation of various types of raw materials, metal ores and bauxites, agricultural products is also great. products through the Suez Canal, through which Western Europe links with Asia and Australia. The largest ports are Marseille with outports in France, Genoa, Augusta, Trieste in Italy, Sidra, Marsa Brega in Libya.

Numerous industrial enterprises have been set up along the sea coast and on the islands. On raw materials delivered by sea, the chemical and metallurgical industries developed. In 1960–75, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily in Italy, the mouth of the Rhone in France, and others became major hubs for the chemical industry. Oil and gas production began on the shelf of the Northern Sea (the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, the coast of Greece, and others).

Fishing in the North Sea is of secondary importance compared to other basins of the Atlantic Ocean. The industrialization of the coast, the growth of cities, the development of recreational areas lead to intense pollution of the coastal strip. The resorts of the Cote d'Azur (Riviera) in France and Italy, the resorts of the Levantine coast and the Balearic Islands in Spain, etc. are widely known.

The Mediterranean Sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean in the west through the Strait of Gibraltar. This closed sea is surrounded on all sides by land. The ancient Greeks called the Mediterranean Sea - the sea in the middle of the Earth. At that time, this name was fully justified, because all the ancient European and North African civilizations appeared in the basin of this sea. And it was the Mediterranean Sea that served as the main route for contacts between them.

Interesting fact: they say that the Mediterranean Sea is the remnants of its former greatness. Previously, in its place was the ancient ocean Tethys. It extended far to the east and was much wider. Today, apart from the Mediterranean Sea, only the drying Aral and Caspian Seas, as well as the Black, Azov and Marmara Seas remain from Tethys. The last three seas are included in the Mediterranean basin.

In addition, inside the Mediterranean Sea, the Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, Cretan, Libyan, Cypriot and Levantine seas are distinguished as separate seas.

Detailed physical map of the seas of the Mediterranean Sea in Russian. To enlarge, just click on the picture.

The currents of the Mediterranean Sea are not quite usual. Under the influence of high temperatures, a lot of water evaporates and, therefore, the consumption of fresh water prevails over its arrival. This, of course, leads to a decrease in the water level and it has to be drawn from the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea. Interestingly, at a depth in more saline layers, the reverse process occurs and salt water flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to the above factors, the currents of the Mediterranean Sea are mainly caused by wind processes. Their speed in the open parts of the sea is 0.5-1.0 km/h, in the straits it can rise up to 2-4 km/h. (For comparison, the Gulf Stream moves to the North at a speed of 6–10 km/h.).

The tides are usually less than one meter, but there are places where, together with wind surges, it can reach up to four meters (for example, the northern coast of the island of Corsica or the Strait of Genoa). In narrow straits (Strait of Messina), tides can cause strong currents. In winter, waves reach their maximum and the height of the waves can reach 6-8 m.

The water of the Mediterranean Sea has an intense blue color and a relative transparency of 50-60 m. It belongs to the saltiest and warmest seas in the world. In summer, the water temperature varies from 19 to 25 degrees, while in the east it can reach 27-3°C. In winter, the average water temperature drops from north to south and varies between 8-17°C in the east and in the central part of the sea. At the same time, in the west, the temperature regime is more stable and the temperature is kept within 11-15°C.

There are many large and not very large islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and almost every one of them is an attraction for many tourists. To name just a few of them:

Majorca and Ibiza in Spain, Sardinia and Sicily in Italy, Corfu, Crete and Rhodes in Greece, Corsica in France, as well as Cyprus and Malta.

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The Mediterranean Sea is "chained" 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 the 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 faded away on the world map.

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

Translated from Greek 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 extreme western point of the Mediterranean Sea, namely from Gibraltar (property of Great Britain) and go clockwise, the sea washes the following countries:

• Gibraltar (UK).
• Spain, which is also the final country, on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar is the Spanish port of Ceuta.
• France The entire southern coast of this country is one endless resort, not without reason that received 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 of about 20 km.
• Montenegro.
• Albania.
• Greece, the largest concentration of antiquity per sq. 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, here is the ruins of Carthage, the ancient city of Rome's rival for dominion in Europe.
• Algeria.
• Morocco.

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

Gibraltar remains a disputed territory to this day. Great Britain received it into its possession as early as 1713 under the Urecht peace treaty. Spain still disputes these territories. In the 18th and 19th centuries, several military attempts were made to reclaim the fort, but they were all unsuccessful.

Cyprus is an island state, officially a single state - the Republic of Cyprus, unofficially - divided into 2 parts: Greek and Turkish. The Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are 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 the Atlantic Ocean, it turned into a huge internal “lake” without recharge from the oceans. It quickly dried up, the water level dropped by 100-120 m.

However, about 5 million years ago, an earthquake occurred, which led to the formation of the current Strait of Gibraltar and the sea was recharged from the Atlantic Ocean. This event can be compared with the rebirth of the Mediterranean Sea, it was after this that it received its former 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. Moving further east, the sea gains a depth of up to 2 km.

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

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

The average depth throughout the sea is 1541 m.

Structure of the mediterranean

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.
• East - between the Balkan Peninsula and the coast of the Levant.

The main "donor" of water for the Mediterranean Sea is the Atlantic Ocean. The influence of rivers on the sea level is not great.

Major rivers flowing into the Mediterranean Sea:

• Ron.

Ebb and flow

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 ebbs and flows are a few cm. Therefore, their influence is quite difficult for a person to assess.

How many seas are in the mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea has a complex structure and consists of many other seas, which are not even 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

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 feed the Mediterranean Sea with plankton as much as the open seas.

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

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

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

The largest cities of the Mediterranean coast

Major 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, not too far away are the Balearic Islands with the world-famous Ibiza and Mallorca.

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

Monaco center of entertainment throughout Europe. Genoa is a major Italian port with a rich history and incredible architecture. During the Renaissance, Genoa was a real financial center of Europe and capital from all over the world flocked here, 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, it has not been such a significant and large port for a long time from an economic point of view, but the historical and cultural component of this city is certainly a diamond in the entire Mediterranean.

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

Climate, water temperature by months

The climate in the Mediterranean is subtropical. The sea is inland and surrounded by three continents, which has formed its own unique climatic balance, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Sometimes it is even distinguished as a separate type or as a certain subspecies of the subtropical climate and is called "Mediterranean".

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

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

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

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 value of water temperature throughout the sea is presented in the table below:

Holidays in the Mediterranean: 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 at any point on the map.

This is true for European resorts, African countries in the southern part of the sea and the coast of Israel and Cyprus are suitable for swimming almost all year round. Heavy rains can often occur in winter, so holidays can be spoiled by these circumstances. And even if you choose warmer Mediterranean countries, it is better to visit them in summer or early autumn.

The best resorts in the Mediterranean

Undoubtedly, the best tourist countries in this region have long been known to everyone:

These countries have long been chosen by our compatriots and are famous for their excellent beaches and good service, some of them are especially popular.

Greece: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places.

Greece - one of the best resort regions of 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 thickets of olive groves and cypress forests, gives an unforgettable entourage to this place.

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

Most hotels are 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, prices are more democratic - from 1923 rubles. per night.

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

Corfu:

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

Paleokastritsa:

Benitses:

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

Kavos:

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

Türkiye: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Antalya is the tourist capital of Turkey, all tourists arrive at the airport of this particular city, and then go to nearby resorts on transfers. The historic center has many “artifact buildings” for history buffs. The Byzantine Church of Panagia and the Ivli Minaret are among the oldest buildings in the city.

You should definitely visit the Museum of Archeology. A selection of the best hotels according to guest reviews, during the velvet season (August-September, prices per night):

Kemer - the "greenest" resort in Turkey, not far from the city there is a national park, and the beaches are considered the cleanest in the country. The lack of cultural and historical sights is fully compensated by ecological and healthy recreation and unity with nature.

Selection by hotels:

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

Alanya is a choice for those who love the golden mean. The city has historical sights and an active nightlife. The entire coast is strewn with an endless string of hotels. Here, with equal success, you can wander through the ruins of the ancient city and the oriental bazaars and arrange an entertaining curtsy with a long auto-party.

Top hotels:

Spain: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Spain is a country that has access not only to the Mediterranean Sea. She also has famous resorts in the Canary Islands and San Sebastian, located in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Bay of Biscay, respectively. However, we are talking about the Mediterranean, so they will be discussed.

Among them, the most famous are naturally the Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Mallorca) and the Costa Brava. The Costa Brava is located on the Spanish mainland 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. Not as busy party life as in Ibiza, makes this place ideal for families with children. Of the sights, lovers of architecture, be sure to 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 – 11,065 rubles.
• Hotel Red house Mallorca – 16,002 rubles.
• Hotel Myseahouse Flamingo — 21,676 rubles.
• Hotel Europe Playa Marina – 15,061 rubles.
• Hotel Sa Casa Rotja — 9 797 rubles.

Italy: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

Italy is a special country for travel and beach tourism is no exception. The atmosphere of this country will forever remain in your heart wherever you are. And the kitchen will take your gastronomic requests to a new level. Italy has one of the longest coastlines and you can literally relax on the Mediterranean coast all over the country. Let's highlight some of the best resorts in Italy.

Sorrento, located near Naples, a city on the Tyrrhenian Sea. One of the features is a 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 water, the water here warms up quickly and the swimming season begins in May.

Holidays in Remini are also good because it is easy to get to any continental city of northern Italy from here. Milan, Turin and Venice are very close. And these places are undoubtedly famous all over the world, the sights of which can be listed endlessly.

Best deals:

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

Egypt: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places

In Egypt, the main direction of tourism is the Red Sea, and not the Mediterranean at all. The Red Sea has one indisputable advantage, the beach season here is open all year round. Historically, it so happened that the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea are preferred by local residents.

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

The Sinai direction is practically not represented as a tourist destination, due to its proximity to the “hot spots” of the Gaza Strip. The Nile Delta is not suitable for recreation, as it is a large swampy area.

The western direction is represented by resorts concentrated near Alexandria and Mersa Matruh.

Alexandria - "Oxford" of the ancient world, a city-museum, history buffs will appreciate this city on merit. And near Mersa Matruh is the “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 a much cheaper price tag for accommodation and food.

Top hotels:

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

You can often hear Russian speech and meet many people who understand Russian, namely 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 a par with the local currency.

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

Article formatting: Vladimir the Great

Video about holidays in the mediterranean sea

Overview of holidays in Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea: