Is Turkey On The Mediterranean Sea? The answer is yes, the country of Turkey is located on the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In fact, Turkey is the only country with lands on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, giving it an advantageous position for trade with Europe, Asia and Africa. Sitting atop the ruins of the ancient civilizations of Hittite and Greek, Turkey occupies an area of approximately 780,000 square kilometers and has an estimated population of about 81 million people. To enhance its ties with the region, Turkey is also a member of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Mediterranean Union.
The country’s complex geographical position presents some challenges that are magnified by its population growth, maritime trade, coastal developments, aquaculture and agriculture, fishing, and tourism. In response to these challenges, the country is building a marine protection system to control pollution, illegal shipping, and illegal fishing, and to conserve marine life.
Turkey’s geographical presence on the Mediterranean Sea not only brings opportunities, but also many risks. According to the Turkish government, climate change is one of the biggest challenges that the country is facing. In reaction, the government has created strategies for sustainable development, such as implementing energy efficiency projects, addressing adaptation strategies, promoting green energy and fostering sustainable development. These efforts require financial and technical assistance from the international community.
The country is now actively involved in the regional initiatives on climate change, ocean protection, and disaster management involving the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. As a result of its participation, Turkey is a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of several regional agreements and treaties on issues involving the environment and the Mediterranean and Black Sea waters.
Experts agree that Turkey has a key role to play in the sustainable development and protection of the Mediterranean Sea. With its growing hydrocarbons and renewable energies, it will have a big role to play in developing clean energy solutions. Furthermore, Turkey’s position as a bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa gives it the potential to contribute significantly to security and cooperation among all countries in the region.
Turkey has a very long history and rich culture. The country is home to a number of architectural and archaeological sites, making it a popular tourist destination. Visitors to Turkey can immerse themselves in the hundreds of years of history while enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, which stretches from the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea.
The country is also known for its vibrant culinary efforts and for its traditional music and entertainment, which reflects the country’s diverse ethnicity and culture. Turkey is, in short, a cultural melting pot that all should experience.
Economic Importance of Mediterranean Sea to Turkey
The Mediterranean Sea plays an important role in Turkey’s economy. It is a key route for the country’s trade with Europe, and is a key tourist destination. Tourism is a major source of foreign exchange for Turkey, and budgets from both domestic and foreign tourists, who come to experience the beaches, historical sites, and culture of the region.
Fisheries are also an important industry, as Turkey has the second largest sea bass and twhe opportunity to harvest tons of seafood. Seafood is exported and consumed domestically, offering employment to the thousands of people who work in this lucrative industry. Its importance to the ecoomy has increased manifolds with the immense population growth and growing demand for fish.
In addition, the Mediterranean Sea plays an important role in transportation links and many ferry routes exist, connecting both sides of the water. The presence of the sea also helps with trade links, allowing materials to be shipped in and out of the country much more rapidly than land-based transport.
Turkey has also taken it upon itself to develop a marine protection system to help fight pollution caused by coastal developments, fishing, and tourism. This action has resulted in the country signing a number of regional agreements and treaties on issues involving the environment.
Infrastructure of the Mediterranean Sea
The Turkish government is actively investing in the infrastructure of the Mediterranean Sea through the modernisation of ports and development of major infrastructure projects. It is also taking steps to improve connectivity of the country with its surrounding regions.
The development of the Istanbul Canal, which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, is a prime example of such investment. This project will effectively create a new shipping route to bypass the Bosporus Strait, improve port access for ships coming from the Black Sea, and reduce congestion within the Istanbul area.
Another infrastructure project is the construction of a bridge which will connect Istanbul to the Asian coast, helping to boost trade and travel links. This bridge will be the first of its kind to span the Strait and will be a great asset to Istanbul in both domestic and global contexts.
The country has also announced its intention to develop a high-speed rail service between several coastal cities, which will provide better linkage among the cities and provide an alternative to maritime transportation.
Agricultural Practices in the Mediterranean basin
The Mediterranean is a key region for agricultural production, and Turkey plays an important role in this sector. With its geographical location, Turkey is well-positioned for growth in the agricultural industry, with fertile land and climate ideal for a range of crops.
The country’s agricultural sector contributes significantly to its GDP and employs a significant portion of its workforce. It is estimated that over 14 million people are employed in the agricultural labor force of Turkey, accounting for approximately 18% of the total labor force in the country.
The country is making efforts to improve the quality of agricultural production, especially with regards to water. This includes the development of irrigation systems, modern irrigation technologies and constant research on effective soil management and fertilisation. The country is also investing in agricultural infrastructure and has proposed the development of an agricultural zone along the Mediterranean coast.
Turkey is also taking steps to curb water pollution due to its agricultural activities. This includes research into the effective use of fertilisers, use of better irrigation practices, and effective waste management.
Mediterranean Sea Conservation
Turkey is committed to the conservation and sustainable use of the Mediterranean Sea. This includes efforts to reduce pollution and conserve marine ecosystems, through the formation of protected areas and the implementation of marine protected area management plans.
The country has also adopted marine conservation strategies, such as the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Network, which was adopted in 2016 and outlines the common commitments of Mediterranean states to conserve the marine environment. This has led to the protection of important habitat for endangered species, the protection of sea-grass bed systems, and development of a network of Marine Protected Areas.
Turkey is also part of regional initiatives on ocean governance and monitoring, such as the Mediterranean Action Plan, Marine Litter Project and Mediterranean Challenges Project. These projects are aimed at reducing pressure on the environment and improving the marine resources of the region.
Turkey is also working to reduce marine pollution through the implementation of regulations on ocean transportation, waste management, and the development of pollution control strategies. This includes the implementation of modern ships with advanced technologies, as well as efforts to reduce dumping and accidental oil spills.
Concerns Related to the Mediterranean Sea
Out of all the issues that are concerning the Mediterranean Sea, climate change is probably the biggest and most pressing. As the global climate continues to rapidly change, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most affected regions. With its complicated geography and concentration of major cities, including Istanbul, Athens and Alexandria, the sea is rapidly warming resulting in higher sea levels and unpredictable weather patterns, which pose great risks to the people of all countries that lie on its banks.
Furthermore, climate change in the Mediterranean may bring about a rapid rise in extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which may create further environmental, social and economic costs. In addition, rising sea levels pose risks of coastal flooding and may increase the already present water scarcity and population displacement.
The Mediterranean Sea is also facing pollution issues from shipping, industry and agricultural activities. This problem is further compounded by plastic pollution, illegal fishing and hunting, as well as illegal dumping of waste.
Initiatives Taken to Protect Mediterranean Sea
In order to protect the Mediterranean Sea from the risks of climate change, pollution, and illegal activities, the countries of the Mediterranean formed the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development. This Commission develops and strengthens regional cooperation between the countries that lie within the basin, helping them to create strategies and policies to reduce their environmental impact. They also work together to develop solutions to combat climate change and to preserve and protect the region’s rich biodiversity.
The Commission also works to address water scarcity, promoting the sustainable use of the region’s water resources. To this end, they promote the adoption of water management practices and technologies that can help reduce water losses and achieve water-use efficiency.
In addition, several countries in the region have taken actions to reduce plastic pollution, by introducing or modernising restrictions on single-use plastics such as bags, straws and plastic bottles. This initiative is aimed at reducing the amount of plastic entering the sea from coastal areas, and will help to reduce the overall pollution of the Mediterranean.
