What is the Mediterranean Sea?
The Mediterranean Sea is a large sea between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. About 21 countries have Mediterranean coastlines.
The Mediterranean covers about 2.5 million square kilometers. Its name comes from Latin words meaning in the middle of land. It includes smaller seas, such as the Adriatic, Aegean, Ionian and Tyrrhenian. It connects to the Black Sea through the Turkish straits and to the Red Sea through the Suez Canal.
The region has a mild climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, now known worldwide as a Mediterranean climate. It was the center of great ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, Phoenicia, Carthage and Rome, whose ships carried trade, ideas and armies across its waters.
Islands and tourism
Large Mediterranean islands include Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, Corsica and Crete. The region is one of the world's top tourist destinations. The Mediterranean faces threats from pollution, overfishing and warming seas.
Did You Know?
About 5.6 million years ago, the Mediterranean nearly dried up when its connection to the Atlantic closed, then refilled in a massive flood.