Outline map of the mediterranean sea. Mediterranean Sea. The best resorts in the Mediterranean

Part Mediterranean countries includes European, Asian and African states. Tourists are attracted by picturesque nature, clear sea waters, a large number of architectural and historical monuments.

On the coast you can find pebbly and sandy beaches. On the wide and long coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, there are many places for budget holiday and resorts that amaze with their luxury.

Mediterranean Sea on a world map with countries around it

1. Bizerte;
2. Kelibia;
3. Monastir;
4. Sfax.

Recently, Tunisia is serious competition Turkey and Egypt. The gap in the level of service with European and Asian resorts is constantly shrinking. Tourists come to Tunisia not only for a beach holiday, but also for treatment. In most hotels in Tunisia, you can find centers of traditional medicine. They are no less popular than the Mediterranean coast.

Destinations by interests

Most quiet beaches The Mediterranean Sea must be sought on its northeastern coast - in Croatia. In these places, beach tourism is under development, so the rest is available for a large number of tourists.

Sandy and pebbly beaches are surrounded by picturesque mountains covered with dense vegetation.

• The beautiful beaches of Malta are worth a visit not only for those who love a comfortable stay on the ennobled beaches, but also for those who want to get practice in English. It is one of the official languages ​​of the island nation.
• Behind noise and fun, as well as for a comfortable stay at an affordable price, you should go to Greece, Egypt and Turkey.
• exotic vacation can be found on the coast of North Africa. Best Resorts in the southeast of the Mediterranean Sea are found in Tunisia and Morocco. In these regions you will feel not only exotic, but also comfortable.
• Resting people talking in Russian, will surround you on the beaches of Israel. The excellent service provided by local hotels will not overshadow the cost of a holiday in the Promised Land. The Mediterranean beaches here compete with the Red and Marmara Seas.

Despite the wide popularity of travel to Asia and America, tours along the Mediterranean coast have not lost their appeal for many years. The warm sea, mild climate and the abundance of historically significant places invariably attract tourists from near and far abroad.

The Mediterranean Sea is a vast body of water that unites Asia, Europe and Africa. Because of geographical location the sea is called intercontinental or marginal. Through the Strait of Gibraltar, more than 13 km long, the sea flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The area of ​​the Mediterranean basin is about 3 million km2. The length of the reservoir from west to east is about 3800 km, and from north to south - about 1700 km. The total amount of water resources of the sea is more than 3800 km3.

The Mediterranean Sea has a long history. It is a "descendant" of the ancient Tethys reservoir, which was located between the two oldest continents. After the displacement of tectonic plates and continental drift, the basin was unable to maintain its former shape.

The first travelers who mastered the movement by sea are considered to be the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt. Already in 3000 BC. the Mediterranean basin was used to transport trade goods, people and livestock. In addition to the Egyptians, the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans used sea communication.

After the 1400s trade moved to new lands - India and the East. However, after the opening of the Suez Canal in the 19th century, the Mediterranean basin again became one of the leaders in the development of shipping, tourism and trade, and it continues to be considered as such to this day.

countries bordering the mediterranean sea

The waves of the Mediterranean Sea wash the coasts of Europe, northern Africa and a small part of Southwest Asia. Among them:

Seas

The Mediterranean Sea is a vast watershed, which includes basins of other water bodies washing the coastlines of the African and Eurasian continents.

The seas of the Mediterranean region are:

Rivers

Many rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

The most voluminous of them:

Islands

As in any other, in the Mediterranean Sea there is a huge number of islands, different in size and location. Some of them are separate states. The archipelagos, which include several islands, are among the countries that are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Most populous islands:

Depth of the Mediterranean

Although the Mediterranean Sea is not included in the list of the deepest bodies of water in the world, in some places of the basin there are areas with depressions more than 4000 m long. The Hellenic depression is considered the deepest - 5121 m.
It is used for the extraction of minerals - natural gas and oil. The average depth of the watershed is approximately 1500 m.

Geological structure and bottom topography

The bottom relief of the Mediterranean Sea was formed under the influence of the Earth's climate. The depths of the basin are divided into 2 parts - eastern and western. The first is an uneven surface dotted with many depressions and ridges. The bottom topography of the western sea region is flat and relatively flat.

At the bottom of the reservoir there are tectonic depressions, elevations of active and extinct volcanoes. Also, the depths of the sea conceal an innumerable number of the remains of sunken ships.

Among the largest bays in the Mediterranean are:

1. Genoese.
2. Gabes.
3. Sidra.
4. Lyons.
5. Taranto.
6. Valensky.

Hydrological regime

The water regime of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by strong evaporation, which is not replenished by the amount of precipitation entering the basin.

The reason for this is the geographical location of the reservoir, which is influenced by the countries surrounding it with climatic conditions suggesting the predominance of high air temperatures. The shortage of resources is eliminated by water coming from the Atlantic Ocean.

Salinity of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is considered quite warm. The temperature of sea water is regulated by salinity and density parameters. that increase during evaporation. The movement of water flows is provoked by winds. In the straits, water flows faster - up to 2-4 km / h, while the speed of the flow of free sections is about 1 km / h.

The transparency of the water of the Mediterranean Sea is 55-60 m. The color of the reservoir in the deep waters is dark blue, and the coastal waters have a blue-blue tint.

Vegetable world

The Mediterranean flora is rich and varied. It is based on colonies of brown, green and red algae, the total number of species of which is close to 800. Phytoplankton lives in the layers of the sea accessible for sunlight, the population of which is poorly developed.

About 700 km of the seabed is occupied by oceanic posidonia. This plant is considered one of the largest in length among the known varieties of algae. Posidonia is also unique in its ancient history, as its age exceeds 100 thousand years.

Animal world

The fauna of the Mediterranean basin is considered scarce in number, in comparison with the number of representatives of the animal world of other seas. This is due to a small variety of plankton, which is food for marine inhabitants.

In addition to the known species of fish and mammals, there are about 900 species of mollusks and invertebrates in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

In the reservoir live:

Mediterranean fish

Spring and summer are considered the spawning period for fish. At this time, they stay dispersed, not gathering in large shoals. However, already in winter you can find large concentrations of underwater inhabitants of various varieties.

Mediterranean waters are home to about 750 species of fish. Dolphins, tuna and several species of flying fish live in the reservoir. Approximately 290 species of waterfowl inhabit the Israeli part of the sea.

Among them:

• mullet;
• laurel;
• sea ​​bream;
• garfish;
• zuban;
• silago;
• palamida;
• marmir;
• spitz;
• grouper;
• aras;
• saragus;
• bluefish.

Dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean

The waters of the Mediterranean basin are inhabited by many species of fish, animals and plants that can harm humans and pose a danger to their health:

Tourism in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea opens the holiday season from the end of April, and it lasts until the beginning of October. The most favorable period is from May to July. In August, the jellyfish season begins, so swimming in the sea becomes unsafe. The water of the Mediterranean Sea during the year stays within +12°-+29°C in the coldest and hottest months, respectively.

The Mediterranean Sea offers both a relaxing holiday on the coastal beaches, and rich active and excursion programs.

The following types of recreation are available to travelers:

• diving;
• surfing;
• yachting;
• snorkeling;
• boat trips on the sea;
• visiting aquariums, water parks, entertainment centers.

Major European resorts

Almost all European resort capitals on the Mediterranean coast combine the possibility of a beach holiday and a wide entertainment program. Each tourist point has its own characteristics and local charm.

However, the largest holiday regions are:

In Greece, tourists will discover a world that combines regularity and the spirit of antiquity. Priceless historical monuments left over from the time of Ancient Greece are located everywhere. Athens, Thessaloniki and Thebes will show the beauty and majesty of the buildings of this era to the fullest.

The tourist infrastructure in the country is very developed, so each resort provides top-level service. In addition to relaxing on the beach and excursion tours, travelers are offered diving, visiting wineries and cheese dairies.

Cities worth visiting in Greece:

The state of Cyprus is an island that is replete with a variety of recreation areas. Here travelers will find sandy beaches with a crystal clear coastline, where you can forget about the bustle of big cities. The major resorts of Cyprus are Limassol, Paphos and Ai-Napa.

Italy is a country with a wide choice of resort holidays. The north of the state is known for its sights and a huge excursion program. In the south, tourists will find a warm welcome from the locals, the opportunity to relax on the beach and enjoy the world-famous national cuisine. An unforgettable vacation will be presented by the Italian islands of Sicily, Capri and Sardinia.

In Italy, it is worth visiting such cities as:

Spain is considered by many travelers as an exotic country, as it differs from most European countries.

Most Spanish resorts are located on islands and small archipelagos in the Mediterranean Sea:

• Ibiza;
• Tenerife;
• Majorca;
• Minorca.

However, there are plenty of places to stay on the mainland. Barcelona will surprise with Catalan flavor and open the world of Gaudí architecture, and Valencia will show the tourist the homeland of Don Quixote. Travelers will love the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol and the resort of San Sebastian.

France is called a country for elite holidays. World-famous stars rest at luxury resorts, but even a budget tourist can relax here without much financial damage. Hotels have a gradation by class, as well as individual resort areas.

The most famous cities of the Cote d'Azur of the Mediterranean Sea are:

Despite the higher cost of a European vacation, the price pays off thanks to the high quality of service, excellent cuisine and a varied leisure program.

During the holidays, it is worth remembering that in many resort countries of the Mediterranean during lunch, all establishments are closed for a siesta. This happens from about 13:00 to 17:00.

Attractive Asian coast

The tourism business is most common in such countries of the Asian shores of the Mediterranean as Turkey, Israel and Egypt. Travelers come here almost all year round due to the pleasant climate of the region.

Israel is famous for its resorts. In Tel Aviv, tourists will plunge into the contrasting atmosphere of the capital, will be able to see the colorful oriental streets and go on excursions to important historical places. All Tel Aviv beach areas are well equipped, and the sand on the sea coast has a golden hue. Tourists consider it the highlight of the Israeli coast.

Holidays in Israel will provide resort towns:

• Haifa;
• Sironite;
• Herzliya;
• Dado;
• Bat Yam.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt. Here tourists can get acquainted with the greatest architectural monuments preserved from pre-Christian times.

The Great Pyramids of Giza and a visit to the Sphinx are included in the mandatory excursion program. It is fascinating to explore the Nile Valley, where vacationers can enjoy the view of magnificent gardens and ancient rock caves. In Alexandria and Mersa Matruh, in addition to historical attractions, travelers are offered a beach holiday.

Turkey is considered the most visited resort country in the Mediterranean. Almost every coastal city has the status of a resort. Service, level of hotels and quality of rest amaze even the most severe critics. The Turkish coast is predominantly sandy, pebble beaches are less common.

As an excursion program, tourists are offered:

• visiting mosques, museums, palaces;
• trips to Troy, Ephesus, Istanbul;
• tours in underground cities Cappadocia.

The best Turkish resorts:

1. Side.
2. Alanya.
3. Kemer.
4. Belek.
5. Antalya.

Popular African cities

The waters of the southern Mediterranean Sea wash the North African states. The most popular tourist destinations are Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Every year, countries ennoble resorts and improve service, which competes for the European Mediterranean.

Despite the fact that the beaches of Algiers are somewhat inferior to the coastline of other Mediterranean capitals of Africa, the city does not lose its popularity among tourists.

Tourists will appreciate visits to the ruins of Byzantine, Phoenician and Roman structures. Travelers who prefer outdoor activities can take tours in the Sahara by jeeps or camels. Holidays by the sea can be spent on Cape Sidi Frej and the Turquoise Coast.

Tangier is considered one of the main resort points of Morocco. The city is attractive because it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean at the same time.

In Tangier, you can not only relax by the water, but also see the famous oriental bazaars, colonial architecture and picturesque gardens with half a century old trees. In El Hoceim and Saidia, tourists will enjoy the originality of Moroccan culture and will be able to spend a measured vacation.

The most popular resort in Tunisia is Hammamet. It is known for its ennobled beaches and numerous thalassotherapy salons. Tourists are invited to visit architectural monuments, ancient ruins and well-groomed gardens, full of a variety of flora. Other popular resorts are Monastir, Carthage and Djerba.

Mediterranean cruises

Many tourists choose a cruise vacation in the Mediterranean due to the fact that in a short period of time you can visit several countries and travel at any time of the year. The duration of the tours is 3-13 days.

Depending on the class of trip, the range of services and the type of room may differ:

1. Standard- low prices, a huge selection of services and entertainment, cabins without windows.
2. Premium- luxurious interiors, high level of service, gourmet cuisine, rooms with a porthole.
3. Suite- liners are designed for a small number of passengers, the staff meets any requirements of customers, cabins with a balcony.

A range of leisure activities can be included in the ticket price or purchased separately. On board, vacationers spend time in the room, attend the proposed cultural events or manage their time as they see fit.

The liner makes sea traffic in the evening or at night, so tourists are offered a wide range of entertainment:

• cafes, bars, restaurants;
• sports grounds and swimming pools;
• dance lessons;
• spas;
• cinemas;
• master classes for every taste;
• playgrounds and animators;
• libraries, Internet centers and gambling rooms;
• discos, stand-up shows, theatrical performances.

Before you go on a trip, you must arrive at the landing site. The tourist also has the opportunity to join the tour during the trip from any port where the ship makes a stopover.

Cruise ships usually depart from European ports:

• Civitavecchia;
• Trieste;
• Savona.

Every day the liner stops at a new port. Daylight hours are reserved for sightseeing on land. While the ship is in the parking lot, vacationers go on excursions or explore the city on their own.

Travel by sea is carried out on ships:

• Royal Princess;
• Pacific Princess;
• Queen Vicroria;
• Costa.

A feature of Mediterranean cruises is the abundance of shore excursions. The sea is surrounded by many countries with an ancient and rich history, which allows you to broaden your horizons and visit the most significant places in a short time. Mediterranean tours cover western and East Coast.

to the stop program cruise liners includes the ports of the following cities:

1. Italy:

2. Spain:

• Barcelona;
• Alicante;
• Malaga;
• Cadiz;
• Ibiza;
• Palma de Mallorca.

3. France:

• Ajaccio;
• Marseilles;
• Toulon.

4. Greece:

• Santorini;
• Corfu;
• Katakolon;
• Piraeus.

5. Croatia:

• Split;
• Dubrovnik.

6. Malta - Valletta.

7. Montenegro - Kotor.

8. Portugal - Lisbon.

9. Cyprus - Limassol.

10. Morocco - Casablanca.

11. Monaco - Monte Carlo.

The countries washed by the Mediterranean Sea allow you to get to know their culture and history, in addition, providing a comfortable stay under the sun. A variety of Mediterranean resorts will help you choose a vacation spot for every taste and income.

Article formatting: Mila Fridan

Video about the Mediterranean Sea

TOP 10 most dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea:

Mediterranean Sea- the cradle of humanity! Powerful and great civilizations were born on the Mediterranean coasts, on the ruins of which the modern world developed and flourishes.

Its area can easily absorb Western Europe, its color can surprise with its beauty and richness, the sound of the waves can soothe, and fishing can bring pleasure...

What is this amazing part of the oceans? Where it is, what countries it washes, what depths and shores it has, what peaceful and dangerous animals and plants it hides in the abyss of its waters, what secrets it keeps - all this and a little more you will learn from this article.

1. Where is the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is located between Asia, Africa and Europe, surrounded by continents, and only with the help of the Strait of Gibraltar, it connects with the North Atlantic, the Bosphorus Strait with the Black Sea, and with the help of the Suez Canal it borders on the Red Sea.

2. Which countries washes

The Mediterranean Sea is named so due to its location - among the continents (lands). The waters of this sea wash the coasts of more than 22 countries from west to east, including: Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

The coastal territory of the sea is represented by many islands, different in area and population, the largest of which are:

• about. Corsica;
• about. Balearic;
• about. Sardinia;
• about. Sicily;
• about. Cyprus;
• about. Crete.

The coastline of the Mediterranean has many independent water areas-seas: Ligurian, Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Black, Ionian, Azov, Balearic, Aegean, Cretan, Levantine, Libyan Seas and the Alboran Sea.

3. History and secrets of the Mediterranean

The modern Mediterranean Sea is a remnant of the ancient Tesis basin, which once occupied the territory of Europe, North Africa, South and Western Asia. For many millions of years, the strait connecting to the ocean has repeatedly closed and opened. Subsequently, the sea dried up and could no longer fill up to its former size. The modern relief was formed due to a change in the Earth's climate.

The Mediterranean territory was one of the first to be inhabited by man, and it was here that writing was first born and many great states were formed, world religions were born.

In 1833, an Englishman, a geologist by profession C. Lyell, began to study this ancient sea.

Informative film in English about the Mediterranean Sea

4. Natural characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea has an area equal to 2965.5 thousand square meters. km. The average depth of the sea is 1500 m. The greatest is 5092 m and is located in the depression of the Ionian Sea (western part of the Peloponnese peninsula). The total length of the sea is 3,800 m.

The degree of salinity of some seas:

• Black Sea - 18%;
• Adriatic Sea - 36%;
• Aegean Sea - 37%;
• Ligurian Sea - 38%;
• Mediterranean Sea - 39%.

4.1 Climate

The word "climate" from the ancient Greek language is translated as "slope" and refers to the slope of the sun's rays in relation to the earth's surface. Climate is a long-term, well-established weather regime, as opposed to weather conditions, which are changeable.

Climatic conditions are determined by the location of the sea - the subtropical zone defines such a climate as an independent type of "Mediterranean".

For countries washed by the waters of this sea, a decrease in atmospheric pressure is characteristic in winter, which leads to precipitation and storms. During such a period, a cyclone hangs over the sea, accompanied by cloudiness, winds intensify in different directions. The height of the waves can exceed 8 m. In summer, there is an anticyclone per turn, the pressure rises and clear, sunny, not rainy weather prevails during this period.

The temperature regime in the southern part of the sea in January ranges from 14 to 16 degrees, in the northern part - from 7 to 10 degrees. In summer (month of August) the average air temperature is 22 - 24 degrees in the northern part and up to 30 degrees in the southern regions.

Humidity in summer is 50 - 65%, and in winter from 65 to 80%. Cloudiness in summer from 0 to 3 points, in winter - 6 points.

Hot cities: Larnaca, Limassol, Tel Aviv and Antalya. In these regions, the water temperature in the summer months reaches 27 degrees. Next come the cities with a water temperature of no more than 25 degrees: Valencia, Malta and Heraklion. Even less hot (up to 22 degrees of water) are the coasts of Barcelona, ​​Athens and Malaga.

4.2 Bottom topography

The bottom relief of the Mediterranean Sea is represented by rapids, basins, ridges, depressions, bays and volcanic cones. The sea basin is divided into Western and Eastern parts. So, the bottom of the western basin is more gentle, and the bottom of the eastern one is with depressions and ridges stretching from Cyprus to the Apennine Peninsula.

Here, under the water column, cones of active and extinct volcanoes and tectonic depressions lurk. So, the deepest place in the sea is the Hellenic depression, with a depth of 5121 m. The bottom of the sea is rich in deposits of rock salt, potassium and sulfur. Natural gas and oil are produced here.

The largest bays of the Mediterranean Sea:

• Valencian;
• Lyon;
• Genoese;
• Taranto;
• Sidra or Greater Sirte;
• Gabes or Little Sirte.

It is interesting that at the bottom of the sea there are many remains of ships, the exact number of which, to this day, has not been established.

4.3 Water

The amount of evaporation of the water of the Mediterranean Sea exceeds the amount of atmospheric precipitation, since the sea is surrounded by countries with arid climates. The water deficit is replenished by the North Atlantic waters coming through the Strait of Gibraltar. In the process of evaporation, the salinity and density of water increases, which settles at a depth, which makes this water area warmer. Depending on seasonality, the density of water changes. Interestingly, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the warmest and most salty seas.

Water circulation is due to wind currents. The current speed in open sea areas reaches up to 1 km/h, in the straits - from 2 to 4 km/h. The transparency of the water is from 50 to 60 m. The water has a rich blue color.

4.4 Ebb and flow

Are there tides in the sea (periodic fluctuations in the water level up and down, as a result of changes in the position of the sun and moon relative to the Earth)? Yes, they are not large on average from 1 to 2 cm in both directions. This is due to the fact that the sea is cut off by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar from the Atlantic and, accordingly, the gravitational force of the moon does not act on it.

You can read more about high and low tides on the Wikipedia pages.

Also, the tides are affected by depth, salinity, atmospheric pressure, coastal relief. The largest tides are observed in the Gulf called Gabes, which is located in the northern part of Africa and this is due to its huge shape (100 km long and wide).

The peak of the tide is when the sun and moon are located either on the same side of the Earth (new moon) or on opposite sides (full moon) and the forces of attraction of these objects are combined, which affects the appearance of tides.

You can find the forecast of the height of the Mediterranean wave, tides on the Mediterranean coast of Israel on the website of the Oceanographic and Limnological Research https://isramar.ocean.org.il/isramar2009/TideHadera/default.aspx

5. Life in the Mediterranean

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is represented by flora and fauna, which is associated with the geological history of the sea and habitat conditions.

5.1 Flora

Despite the meager phytoplankton located in the upper layers of the sea, the vegetation here is diverse: more than 800 species of green, brown, red algae and plants. Notable is the largest sea grass in the world, which has bred in colonies (more than 700 km), “oceanic posidonia”. This is one of the oldest plants, whose age is more than 100 thousand years.

5.2 Animal life

Animal world The Mediterranean Sea is diverse, but the number of species of inhabitants is not large, which is associated with the poor development of plankton in Mediterranean waters.

Plankton- various organisms floating freely in the water (bacteria, algae, invertebrate larvae, small molluscs, etc.). You can find more information about this type of life on the pages of Wikipedia.

The fauna is represented by more than 800 species of various mollusks: squid, cuttlefish, octopus, crabs, shrimps and others.

5.3 Fishes of the Mediterranean

The winter period is the most massive for the accumulation of different types of fish, since in other months (spring-summer) they spawn and feed, therefore they are more dispersed.

Among the inhabitants there are more than 700 species of various fish, more than 290 of which live in the coastal waters of Israel:

The blue shark also lives in the Mediterranean Sea. There are more than 40 species of Mediterranean sharks. There are also rays, moray eels, reaching 0.5 m in length, dolphins, seals, porpoises and killer whales. There are also sea turtles, which are represented by 3 species.

A detailed list of fish living in the Mediterranean Sea can be found on the pages of Wikipedia

There are 4 types of flying fish off the Israeli coast:

• exocoetus obtusirostris;
• exocoetus volitans;
• hirundichthys rondeletii;
• parexocoetus mento.

5.4 Dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean

sharks- not only frightening inhabitants of the sea, but also irreplaceable cleaners of the sea expanses from various types of sick, weak inhabitants. Their population is declining. For example, the hammerhead shark was last observed only in 1955.

Stingray- has poisonous spikes located in the tail of the body.

Electric Stingray- able to give any attacker an electric current.

6. Features of the coast

north coast has a complex relief: the coast is high, rocky and steep with not small bays.

South coast- even. Mountains stretch from the western part, and in the east they disappear and the coast becomes flat and sandy (almost deserted).

The total length of the Mediterranean coast is 46 thousand km. It is interesting that this area of ​​water would be enough to easily swallow Western Europe!

6.1 Sea coast of Israel

The coast of Israel is washed by the western waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean territory extends from the northern border of Israel to the Gaza Strip. Also on the coast is a plain called "Coastal", stretching for 187 km from Lebanon to the Gaza Strip. The plain is divided into cultural and geographical regions and has many sandy beaches.

The coast of the Mediterranean Sea consists not only of plains and beaches, but of rocky shores and reefs.

6.2 Port cities of Israel

• adaptation to the Mediterranean climate - unhurried summer walks along the sunny coast;
• apply sunscreen;
• beware of marine life;
• do not forget about high waves, rocky bottom and very dangerous rip currents.

You can read more about such a phenomenon as a rip current on the Wikipedia pages.

A short video on what to do if you are caught in a rip current in the Mediterranean

The ancient Mediterranean Sea had many names:

• "Akdeniz" or "White Sea" (Turks);
• "Our Sea" or "Inland" (ancient Romans);
• Sunset Sea (Babylonians).
• "Great Sea" (Hebrew הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל‏‎, Ha-Yam Ha-Gadol).

This sea includes in its expanses many small seas and various islands, which in ancient times were independent states.

The Mediterranean Sea is famous for the habitat of such an animal as the “sponge”, which later received the name “toilet”, since the dried skeletons of this inhabitant were used as a washcloth.

In 2016, Spanish archaeologists discovered a ship from the time of the Roman Empire at a depth of 70 m, which sank more than 1.5 thousand years ago.

In the Strait of Messina, you can see a mirage.

And what will happen if this Great Basin is drained? You will find the answer to this question if you watch this entertaining film (published by I. Garkalikov)

9. Useful links

- The book of general delusions contains many interesting facts about the Mediterranean Sea.

- An interesting article characterizing the Mediterranean Sea.

- an informative article about the currents and tides of the Mediterranean Sea, temperature, flora and fauna.

(2 ratings, average: 4,50 out of 5)

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 received an 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.
• Turkey, 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.

Mediterranean depth map

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 has 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 Bosphorus Strait, 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".

AT winter period the sea lowers the pressure along the entire coast, which leads to rather 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:

January	14°С
February	13°C
March	15°C
April	16°С
May	17°C
June	20°С
July	24°C
August	26°C
September	25°C
October	21°С
November	18°С
December	15°C

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.

Turkey: 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 Minaret of Ivli 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.

Best 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 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 bring your gastronomic requests to 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 offers:

• 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 prefer to visit locals.

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 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:

Countries and resorts of the Mediterranean Sea: maps, photos and videos. Holidays in the Mediterranean, hotels, beaches, water temperature off the coast of resorts.

• Tours for May all over the world
• Hot tours all over the world

The cradle of civilizations, the apple of discord and the oldest trade routes - all this is the "sea in the middle of the earth", whose waves wash the shores of 22 states, most of which have managed to derive direct tourist benefits from this remarkable neighborhood. It is on the numerous coasts of the Mediterranean Sea that the most famous world resorts are located, which are stormed every year by millions of vacationers from all over the world. The countries of two continents - Africa and Eurasia, as well as numerous islands and archipelagos provide all the conditions for a full-fledged beach holiday: although not always warm, but quite clear waters, sandy or pebbly coastlines with a remarkably wide coastline, violent fruitful nature and a lot of historical ruins around. What is especially pleasant - rest in the Mediterranean bushes can be classified as a budget one: a little more expensive than domestic "souths" and at the same time a whole range of entertainment and so far, alas, a service level that is mostly unattainable at home.

Mediterranean countries

Let's not cheat by saying that the Mediterranean is one of those successful tourism destinations in all respects that can offer almost everything to a demanding tourist, immediately and at affordable prices. What is there on the hospitable shores of the "Middle Sea": both vegetable rest in slippers and a swimsuit, and interesting excursions to the sights of almost any period known to historical science, and authentic items of souvenir interest, and rich opportunities for learning foreign languages ​​"with immersion", and terribly tasty, and most importantly healthy Mediterranean cuisine, on whose dishes more than one generation of centenarians has been brought up.

Another characteristic feature of the Mediterranean, a balm for the heart of an attentive tourist, is the exceptional diversity of nationalities, languages, and cultures.

Everyone will find something to their liking: praying at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem or burning through what they have acquired by “overwork” at golden parties in Monaco, inhaling the smell of eternity in the Giza Valley or listening to the chirping of cicadas on emerald Corfu, following the footsteps of the Grand Duchesses on the streets of Istanbul or looking at drowning in the red midday haze Fez.

Among the other pleasant bonuses of the direction are a short flight (you can fly to most resorts in no more than 4 hours), a combined visa regime (we are talking about Schengen), which allows you to wave to your neighbors along the coastline without hassle, in some cases - even lack of visa formalities - as in Tunisia or Turkey. Among other things, the Mediterranean - the most financially accessible of the resort foreign seas - you can find a vacation here, starting from 200 EUR “from the nose”. Finally, the climate here is closest to the "universal" one - the swimming season is from May to October, the absence of exhausting heat in summer and mild, moderately sunny winters. Of the minuses, perhaps the extraordinary popularity of the Mediterranean beaches, which, in terms of the number of bodies per square meter of area, easily outdo the Klondike of the times of the "gold rush". However, for fans of secluded relaxation, the Mediterranean Sea has in store a few secret corners, such as small Greek islands, where nothing prevents everyday life from being forgotten.