Mediterranean Sea and the countries around it. Hospitable countries and the best resorts of the Mediterranean

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

Pebble and sandy beaches can be found along the coast. On the wide and long coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, there are many places for budget holidays and resorts that amaze with their luxury.

Mediterranean Sea on the 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 decreasing. Tourists go to Tunisia not only for a beach holiday, but also for treatment. Traditional medicine centers can be found in most Tunisian hotels. They are no less popular than the Mediterranean coast.

Interest directions

The most quiet beaches The Mediterranean Sea is to be found on its northeastern coast - in Croatia. In these places, beach tourism is under development, so recreation 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 visiting not only for those who love a comfortable stay on refined beaches, but also for those who wish to get an internship. in English... It is one of the official languages ​​of the island nation.
• Per noise and fun, as well as for a comfortable stay at an affordable price, it is worth going to Greece, Egypt and Turkey.
• Exotic vacation can be found on the coast of North Africa. The best resorts in the southeast Mediterranean are in Tunisia and Morocco. In these regions you will feel not only exotic, but also comfort.
• Vacationers talking in Russian language, will surround you on the beaches of Israel. Excellent service provided by local hotels will not overshadow the cost of a vacation in the Promised Land. The Red Sea and the Sea of ​​Marmara compete with the Mediterranean beaches.

Perhaps the most amazing and unusual sea on the planet is the Mediterranean. It separates the three different but at the same time serves as a meeting place for the most diverse cultures, nations and religions. Which countries are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and which of them do tourists like to visit the most? You will learn about this from our most interesting article.

Mediterranean: history and geography of the region

Which countries is washed by the Mediterranean Sea? What famous cities are located on its shores? Before answering these questions, you need to study in detail the geography and history of the region.

Mediterranea is the English name for the Mediterranean. This historical region occupies the entire basin of the sea of ​​the same name - the cradle of European and Arab navigation. The most ancient civilizations and powers arose on its shores - Phenicia, Ancient Hellas, the Roman Empire. The latter once controlled the entire region. Which countries is washed by the Mediterranean Sea today?

The total area of ​​the region, according to various scientists, ranges from 4 to 5 million square kilometers. The states of two continents and three parts of the world are located on its territory.

Which countries is washed by the Mediterranean Sea? Largest cities

Geographically, culturally and mentally, the Mediterranean is divided into three zones (parts): European, Asian and African.

So, which countries does the Mediterranean Sea wash with its waters? These include 21 independent states. These are Spain, France, Italy, Monaco, Malta (an island republic, located directly in the water area), Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

The unrecognized countries of Palestine and Northern Cyprus, as well as two overseas territories of Great Britain (Gibraltar, Akrotiri and Dhekelia) also have access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Which cities are washed by the Mediterranean Sea? Thousands of settlements are located on the shores of its water area. Among the largest and most famous cities in the Mediterranean are the following: Barcelona, ​​Marseille, Cannes, Genoa, Napoli, Dubrovnik, Athens, Istanbul, Antalya, Alexandria, Tripoli.

Mediterranean structure: islands, archipelagos, seas

Scientists argue that the Mediterranean Sea is nothing more than a relic of an ancient reservoir of planetary scale - the Tethys Ocean. The Black, Caspian and Aral Seas are also its remnants.

The modern Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow one. It passes between two high cliffs, named in ancient times. An interesting fact: hydrographers distinguish a number of smaller seas in the Mediterranean Sea. For example, on the maps of this part of the planet you can find the Adriatic, Aegean, Ionian, Cyprus and others.

What washes the Mediterranean Sea? Several large Apennine and Pyrenees jut deep into its water area. In the waters of the Mediterranean there are also a large number of islands, different in area. And almost every one of them is very attractive to tourists. Some of the most famous islands in the Mediterranean are worth mentioning: Crete, Malta, Sicily, Rhodes, Ibiza and Mallorca.

Synthesis of cultures and peoples

"The sea in the middle of the Earth" - so it was called in ancient times. This geographical toponym, slightly transformed, has survived to this day. Indeed, it is here that various peoples, cultures, religions and civilizations have met over the centuries. As a result, a unique ethnocultural situation has formed in the Mediterranean.

Already in the third millennium BC, the so-called Aegean civilization arose here, which consisted of several cultures and was complicated by Sumerian influences. Mixed ethnic groups could be observed within the state of Carthage. Still later, the synthesis of European and Eastern traditions formed a powerful state here - Byzantium.

Thus, cultural syncretism is more than characteristic of the Mediterranean region. It is this fact that makes it overly popular among tourists from all over the world.

Mediterranean Tourism

The countries of the Mediterranean Sea are annually visited by tens of thousands of tourists from different parts of our planet. The attractiveness of this region is enhanced by the fact that it is completely located within the mild subtropical climate.

Of course, the best way to experience the Mediterranean is on a cruise vacation. It allows you to visit several countries and dozens of interesting cities at once. During such a cruise, the tourist can personally see how the monuments are combined with the creations of our time.

In the Mediterranean, tourists most often visit Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia and Croatia.

Holidays in Turkey

Each of the Mediterranean countries boasts their first class resorts. And the most famous resort country in this region is, of course, Turkey!

This state today is very successful in the development of its tourism infrastructure. Resting here is both interesting and very comfortable. Moreover, Turkey is ready to offer a vacation for every taste and wallet size.

Excellent hotels, wonderful beaches, delicious cuisine and acquaintance with the vibrant local culture - this is what awaits every tourist who decides to visit Turkey. In addition, in a very short time, you can see many interesting sights here.

Which cities in Turkey are washed by the Mediterranean Sea? It is the largest metropolis of Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya and Mersin.

Spain and Italy

The state of Spain is located in the western part of the region. Tourists appreciate this Mediterranean country for its picturesque landscapes, beautiful nature, sunny first-class resorts and ancient architectural monuments. No cruise usually goes by Mallorca and Ibiza. But real connoisseurs of architecture should definitely visit the city of Barcelona.

Another European Mediterranean state is Italy. The land of the sun, pizza and spaghetti attracts a huge number of foreign tourists. Lovers of unity with virgin nature go to Sicily, but connoisseurs of cultural and historical monuments - to Rome. The world-renowned center of haute couture - the city of Milan is also located here.

Balkan Mediterranean countries

Five of them have access to the Mediterranean Sea at once, and they all have enormous tourism potential.

The most attractive of the Balkan countries for tourists is Croatia. Even 20 years ago, it fought for its independence, and today it receives thousands of tourists every year. Vacationers are amazed by the unique purity of the sea water in Croatia and the huge number of coastal islets.

Montenegro is also famous for its excellent resorts. In particular, the 3.8 km long Ada Bojana beach boasts the cleanest sand in the entire Adriatic.

Albania is also gradually gaining popularity among tourists. This country benefits from its beautiful landscapes and extraordinary color. Only in Albania, you can taste delicious local cuisine in an abandoned concrete bunker of the last century!

African Mediterranean countries

Of course, tourists and African states of this region do not pass by. Egypt has long gained fame as a resort and tourist country. But even countries such as Libya and Algeria are actively equipping their resorts and cities for potential recreationalists.

More and more cruise ships sail to the ports of Morocco. This state, located right at the junction of East and West, Islamic and European cultures, a priori is of interest to tourists.

Tunisia is another Mediterranean state, on whose territory a large number of historical and architectural monuments, museums with ancient artifacts have been preserved. And after a rich cultural program, a tourist here will also be able to fully relax on one of the beautiful beaches. Another feature of Tunisia is its colorful and colorful markets.

Finally...

Now you know how many countries are washed by the Mediterranean Sea. There are 21 of them. The Mediterranean is a unique and very attractive region for tourists. First of all, they strive to get to Turkey, Italy, Spain, Tunisia and Croatia. Indeed, in these countries there are a lot of attractions, and the infrastructure is in perfect order.

Mediterranean Sea surrounded by earth on all sides. One glance at the map is enough to agree with this judgment. This was known more ancient Greek scholars.

• Countries and islands
• Country
• Islands
• Eastern Mediterranean

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Features of the geographical location and climate

Mediterranean Sea named for a reason, from all sides it touches with continents.

Nowhere else in the world has this been found large indoor pool, which is connected to the ocean only by a tiny, for such a scale, a jumper - Strait of Gibraltar.

The sea in its own way geographic location is between: Asia, Europe, Africa.

Total area - 2,500 square kilometers... The maximum depth is 5 121 meters.

It connects channels and straits with Black, Red and Marmara seas.

Concerning bottom relief then he has everything typical for the sea peculiarities:

Part The middle seas are included and inland seas:

• Aegean;
• Alboran;
• Adriatic;

If you are going to rest on the Adriatic Sea, find out detailed information about its resorts from this article.

• Balearic;
• Ionian;
• Ligurian;
• Tyrrhenian.

In winter the weather is very changeable, regularly storms happen, and pass heavy rainfall... The temperature drops significantly due to the influence northern winds.

Summer observed here dry fog and a small amount precipitation.

Tourists come in droves to these places closer to the middle of summer. By july the reservoir warms up to +27 degrees.

Countries and islands

Towards the Mediterranean include vast territories of countries and islands. We will give examples of some of them below.

Country

• Turkey... There are resorts that are very fond of Russian tourists. Most of the attendants speak in Russian, which simplifies the rest in a foreign country for our tourists. There are many excellent beaches, inexpensive hotels and one of the best in the world kitchens... The reservoir washes the following large Turkish cities - Mersin, Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir.
• Italy... It is located in the west of the Mediterranean. People come here to eat delicious pizza and spaghetti and also enjoy warm sun... Resort cities are Rome, Sicily and Milan.

Italy is a great holiday destination not only in summer but also in winter. Read about the winter resorts of this country here

• Spain. Ibiza, Barcelona and Majorca- these are exactly the settlements where travelers come who want to have fun and have a good time. Especially it concerns youth loving noisy parties.
• Croatia... The country attractive for tourists primarily rapidly gaining momentum yachting... For this, the state allocates multimillion investment.
• Montenegro... Especially it is worth taking a closer look at the beach Ada Bojana... Here purest sand, which can only be found throughout Adriatic... In addition, tourism is actively developing here among nudists.
• Albania... Chic kitchen, beautiful landscapes- this is how local resorts are characterized.

In ancient times it was believed that the Mediterranean Sea is located in the center of the world... Roman aborigines called him Inland sea, since all its shores were conquered by them.

• Morocco... Intersect here European and islamic traditions and culture. This fact attracts tourists. According to statistics, people also come here to look at cultural attractions... Especially popular Casablanca.
• Tunisia... The ancients museums, mysterious artifacts, monuments memorable architecture markets- at the local resorts which are not found miracles.

Islands

In the Mediterranean also a bunch of big and small islands interesting for travelers. Among them stand apart:

• Djerba... Located in the north African... From the ancient Arabic language it is translated as "Wheat city"... The island is mentioned in the famous "Odyssey" Homer. Pink flamingos, ancient synagogue, fireballs, local delicious rice- something like that simply cannot be missed if you find yourself on Djerba.
• Sardinia... Located next to Dirk and Sicily... Archaeologists constantly find various tombs and ziggurats... These are the main attractions of the island.
• Vulcano... Tourists come here to see the many volcanic craters.

Scientists have found out that because of the catastrophic floods, which happened 5.3 million years ago, just filling occurred Mediterranean Sea. In two years formed such a large water basin!

Eastern Mediterranean

Most often to Eastern Mediterranean include the shores of Greece, Italy and Turkey, this opinion is wrong... If we come to this question in terms of geography and look at the map, it turns out that the Eastern Mediterranean includes:

Have you decided to relax in Cyprus? Find out what others think of the island's hotels with this article

Pros and cons of relaxing in the Mediterranean

On the mediterranean sea perfect to have a rest in September... At this time already the heat subsides, moreover, the water remains warm. An additional plus is that the reservoir contains a large amount of useful salts and No dangerous poisonous plants and animals.

You can inspect Attraction completely different countries of the world and get to know their culture... After all, the Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of a good half continents of the world.

The resorts of the Mediterranean are very developed health resort infrastructure... Therefore, people suffering diseases of various origins can easily find a place for relaxation and recovery.

There are no cons... Unless, of course, the scorching summer sun is considered a disadvantage.

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.

Cruises in the Mediterranean are an opportunity to see with your own eyes the past eras, visiting the monuments of antiquity, masterpieces of the Middle Ages and outstanding creations of our time. Every day of such a trip is a new experience, new states of the Mediterranean: sandy beaches of Tunisia and Malta, ancient Pompeii and the 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 go through European Mediterranean countries... Tourists visit Italy - the country of sun and wine, spaghetti and olive oil, haute couture and masterpieces of world architecture. And after an eventful 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 winemaking center or a luxury resort. Paris, Nice, Cannes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Avignon - attractions are found at every step. The country's landscapes 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 country that is part of many Mediterranean cruises. This is a contrasting island, the northeastern coast of which is densely populated, and the almost lifeless southern coast is cut off by sheer cliffs to the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here is Valletta - a medieval walled city, one of the few surviving in Europe.

Morocco is a Mediterranean country that brings an oriental touch to Western Mediterranean cruises. It is located at the junction of European and Islamic cultures and lies on the border of the greenest mountains in Africa and the largest desert in the world.

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 characterized by ancient oriental architecture, unusual cuisine and numerous colorful markets.

Almost all countries washed by the Mediterranean Sea have their own 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 Boyana has a triangular shape. On both sides, the shores of the island are washed by the Boyana River, and on the third, by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. On the island you can find great hotels, good fun - whatever 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 km long 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 made great strides in the development of tourism infrastructure. The beaches of Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, annually collect tens of millions of tourists. But, for example, in Lebanon or Syria, tourists go until they are in a hurry.
If you want to have a royal rest, then the city of Limassol (in 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 developing their resort beaches. They certainly have potential.

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

Together with this material, they usually read:

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

Everyone in the school was reading ancient Greek legends. And if he did not read voraciously, then the names of the gods and heroes obviously heard. A trip to Rhodes can completely immerse you in the atmosphere of the past millennia, give you a chance for a miracle. You may 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 the feeling of a never-ending miracle, which is so important to feel at this time of year for both adults and children.

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

Mediterranean Sea- the cradle of humanity! Powerful and great civilizations originated on the Mediterranean coasts, on the ruins of which the modern world has developed and flourished.

Its area is able to easily swallow Western Europe, color - to surprise with beauty and saturation, the sound of waves - to calm down, and fishing - to give pleasure ...

What is this amazing part of the World Ocean? Where it is located, what countries it washes, what depths and shores it has, what peaceful and dangerous animals and plants it hides in the depths 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 with the Black Sea, and with the help of the Suez Canal it borders the Red Sea.

2. Which countries are washed

The Mediterranean Sea is so named due to its location - among the continents (lands). The waters of this sea wash 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 area of ​​the sea is represented by many islands, different in area and population, the largest of which are:

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

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

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 with the ocean has been repeatedly closed and reopened. Subsequently, the sea dried up and could no longer fill up to its former size. The modern relief was formed due to the 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.

Educational film in English about the Mediterranean Sea

4. Natural characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea has an area of ​​2965.5 thousand square meters. km. The average depth of the sea is 1500 m. The largest is 5 092 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.

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 "tilt" and means the inclination of the sun's rays in relation to the earth's surface. Climate is a long-term, well-established weather regime, in contrast to weather conditions, which are changeable.

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

For the countries washed by the waters of this sea in winter, a decrease in atmospheric pressure is characteristic, which leads to precipitation and storms. During such a period, a cyclone hangs over the sea, accompanied by cloudiness, and 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 during this period clear, sunny, not rainy weather prevails.

The temperature regime in the southern part of the sea in January ranges from 14 to 16 degrees, in the northern - 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.

Air 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. Then there are cities with a water temperature of no more than 25 degrees: Valencia, Malta and Heraklion. The coasts of Barcelona, ​​Athens and Malaga are considered even less hot (up to 22 degrees of water).

4.2 Bottom relief

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 - with depressions and ridges stretching from Cyprus to the Apennine Peninsula.

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

The largest bays in the Mediterranean:

• Valencian;
• Lyons;
• Genoese;
• Taranto;
• Cider or Big Sirte;
• Gabes or Small 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 Mediterranean Sea water exceeds the amount of atmospheric precipitation, since the sea is surrounded by countries with arid climates. The water deficit is made up for by the North Atlantic waters flowing through the Strait of Gibraltar. In the process of evaporation, the salinity and density of the water increases, which settles at a depth, which makes this water area warmer. Depending on the seasonality, the density of the water changes. Interestingly, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the warmest and salty seas.

The circulation of water is due to wind currents. The speed of the current 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 deep blue color.

4.4 Ebb and flow

Does the sea ebb and flow (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 the ebb and flow on the Wikipedia pages.

Also, the ebb and flow are influenced by the depth, salinity of water, 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 in length and width).

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 different sides (full moon) and the forces of attraction of these objects are combined, which affects the appearance of tides.

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

5. Mediterranean life

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 Plant kingdom

Despite the scarce 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 world's largest sea grass, "Oceanic Posidonia", which has bred in colonies (more than 700 km). This is one of the oldest plants, which is more than 100 thousand years old.

5.2 Animal world

The fauna of 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 out more about this type of life on the pages of Wikipedia.

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

5.3 Fish of the Mediterranean

The winter period is the most massive for the accumulation of different species 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 stingrays, 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 that live in the Mediterranean Sea, you can find on the pages of Wikipedia

There are 4 types of flying fish found off the coast of Israel:

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

5.4 Dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean

Shark- not only frightening inhabitants of the sea, but also irreplaceable cleaners of the sea spaces from different types of sick, weak inhabitants. Their population is declining. So, for example, the hammerhead shark was last observed only in 1955.

Stingray- possesses poisonous spines located in the tail of the body.

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

6. Features of the coast

North coast has a difficult topography: the banks are 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. Interestingly, this water area would be enough to swallow Western Europe with ease!

6.1 Israel Seaside

The coast of Israel is washed by the western waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean territory stretches from Israel's northern border 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 areas and has many sandy beaches.

The Mediterranean coast is made up of not only plains and beaches, but rocky shores and reefs.

6.2 Port cities in Israel

• adaptation to the Mediterranean climate - leisurely summer walks along the sunny coast;
• apply protective creams from the sun's rays;
• 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 ripple flow on the pages of Wikipedia.

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 "Inner" (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 times 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.

What happens 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

- in the book of common misconceptions, there are many interesting facts about the Mediterranean.

- an interesting article describing the Mediterranean Sea.

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