The Mediterranean Sea is a one-of-a-kind body of water situated in what can be termed as a crescent-shaped region, which has connected the greater part of civilization and understanding from the past few hundred years. It is a diverse and exclusive body of water, located in the Southern part of Europe, and therefore is referred to as the ‘Mediterranean region’. The Mediterranean Sea is enclosed by such countries as France, Spain, and Turkey, and the northern part is outlined by Italy. On a world map, the Mediterranean Sea covers the Mediterranean Basin and can be seen stretching across Italy, Spain, and France. The Mediterranean Sea is a deep and extensive waterway composed of multiple waterways that cross through various other countries that are considered not to be within the Mediterranean basin.
The Mediterranean Sea is located within the ‘Mediterranean Region’, which is located in the region enclosed by the Mediterranean Sea itself, and further covered by the following countries: Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey and the Middle Eastern countries. The Mediterranean Sea itself is located within the area that was known in antiquity as the ‘Middle Earth’, the place where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean Sea is sometimes referred to as the ‘inner sea’ due to its geographical inner placement of being surrounded by other countries. There is an area of the Mediterranean Sea that also conveniently reaches close to North Africa and is referred to as the ‘African Sea’.
On a world map, one can locate the Mediterranean Sea in the region that starts from Southwest Europe and extends further east into the Middle East. Starting from Spain, the Mediterranean Sea circles around its pristine coastline and ends in Central Italy. It is branching off into multiple estuaries called the Balearic Islands in the South, Corsica in the North, and Sardinia in the East, followed by the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas that eventually join together to lead into the Mediterranean Sea. This large body of water is located at the crossroads of multiple civilizations.
The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by several important cities, such as the two port cities of Barcelona and Naples in the Western Mediterranean and the metropolises of Athens and Istanbul in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is known to be very popular tourist destination due to its diverse and functional shorelines and awe-inspiring landscape. It is entertained by hundreds of vessels at all times, thus being a major busy waterway for international shipping. Additionally, the Mediterranean Sea is also home to several endangered species and rare fish, as well as being home to several iconic monuments and sites, such as the Temple of Apollo in Rhodes and the Coliseum in Rome.
The Mediterranean Sea is thought to have an extension of over 2,000kms and an approximate width of 750km and a maximum depth of over 5,000m. This natural body of water is estimated to have a volume of around 3.7 million km. Therefore, it is believed to hold approximately 4.5% of the world’s water supply. The Mediterranean Sea plays an important role in the climate around the world, as it acts as a furnace whereby warm air from the Sahara desert’s surface is carried across to Europe and consequently, causing a mild climate during the winter in Europe.
Mediterranean Climate
The Mediterranean climate is an approximate of 15-20 degree Celsius. It is moderate climate measured to the other climates around the world. The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea is generally warmer than the Atlantic Ocean and is considered to be much less variable in terms of temperature and salinity. This Special microclimate holds a unique biodiversity which has been able to sustain its own unique species, like Sunfish and Great White Sharks.
The Mediterranean Sea is also well known for its weather patterns and its capacity for high pressures and extreme winds. During the summer, the winds here become mild and light with high humidity. During the winter months, the weather is more changeable and severe with windy storms. Over time, the Mediterranean Sea has proven to yield many storms and strong gusts of winds.
Commercial Potential
The Mediterranean Sea is a valuable body of water regarding commercial activity. Being an important trade route for countries from the Mediterannean region such as Italy, France and Greece, this Sea has been able to bear a great amount of passenger and cargo vessels for the past century. The commercial activity that happens here can span multiple industries.
The fishing industry here is renowned for providing high quality seafood to the general public, while the oil and gas industry captures natural minerals and provides energy to the region. Furthermore, tourism is also a popular sector of the Mediterranean Sea due its plethora of ancient monuments, stunning shorelines and natural wonders.
Environmental Issues
The Mediterranean Sea has been facing many environmental problems in the past few years, due to human activities and careless waste disposal. The most serious environmental issue the Mediterranean Sea is facing is the accumulation of eutrophication, or the overabundance of nutrients in the sea. This has caused the growth of algae which eventually lead to the excessive creation of waste that can be dangerous for the local environment.
Apart from that, air pollution from industries and factories around the Mediterranean basin, as well as marine pollution in the form of chemicals such as petroleum and plastic, has caused major damage to the sea’s water quality. Moreover, the expanding climate crisis has caused far-reaching effects on the Mediterranean basin. The rising temperature has led to melting glaciers and extreme temperatures, as well as damaging the natural environment.
Policy Initiatives
Presently, many policy initiatives and regulations have been undertaken by countries in the region in order to preserve the Mediterranean Sea. For instance, the Madrid Guidelines, created by the Mediterranean Action Plan and the International Maritime Organisation, is an agreement that encourages particular countries in the Mediterranean Sea to come together and improve the living conditions of their citizens. Additionally, the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, are another policy initiative taken by the United Nations Environment Programme that protects the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal regions from further pollution and development projects.
Furthermore, many countries in the Mediterranean basin have introduced national regulations that are protecting the environment and the rare species that live in the Mediterranean Sea. For example, France has taken initiatives to limit the amount of water pollution coming from factories, and Italy has created a special protection zone for endangered species living in the Mediterranean Sea.
Protected Areas
The Mediterranean Sea holds important protected areas such as the National Marine Park of Tunisia, the MARES project from Malta, Marine Protected Areas from France and special nature reserves from Greece and Italy. These conservation efforts are vital to develop and preserve the integrity of the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea.
Especially in the case of Greece, UNESCO has established the Natura 2000 network in order to conserve the endangered species and habitats, while preserving the economy and effective fishing industry. Moreover, Greece has taken initiatives to protect its islands such Aegina, Alonissos and Saronikos, which are considered to be among some of the most important marine conservation sites in the Mediterranean.
Popularity
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most popular holiday destination spots, due to its luxuriously beautiful beaches, Mediterranean capitals and unique Mediterranean cultures. millions of tourists flock to the Mediterranean shores all year round, making it a solid tourism destination. Also, being easily accessible for all budgets, the Mediterranean Sea is a major attraction for European tourists who can enjoy its outstanding views and waters.
The Mediterranean Sea is also known for its unique cuisine, which is considered to be one of the healthiest and most flavorful ones in the world. Its traditional cuisine features many products from the sea such as fresh fish and seafood, olives and olive oil. Additionally, there are also many tasty dishes made with vegetables and grains, such as the Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables and Greek Moussaka.
Conservation
The Mediterranean basin is an important place when it comes to conservation, with many non-profit organisations coming together to protect the nature and biodiversity. A significant example would be the Mediterranean Monk Seal, one of the most threatened species in the region. Their population is declining even faster due to coastal development and the destruction of their habitats.
To this end, many governments in the region are joining forces to protect the threatened areas and prevent further destruction to the species living in the Mediterranean Sea. Several of these organisations have taken prominent international action, such as Greenpeace’s ‘Tunisia Pulp and Paper project’, which is aimed at protecting the endangered species while preserving the natural wonder of the Mediterranean Sea.
Conclusion
The Mediterranean Sea is a one-of-a-kind body of water located between Europe, Africa and Asia. This large body of water is valuable for its commercial potential, its unique microclimate, its iconic monuments and its cultural relevance. Sadly, it is also facing numerous environmental issues due to human activity. Thankfully, numerous policy initiatives and conservation projects have been implemented in order to protect this unique body of water and its habitats.
