Despite the widespread popularity of travel to Asian and American countries, tours along the Mediterranean coast have not lost their appeal for many years. The warm sea, mild climate and 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. Due to its geographical location, the sea is called intercontinental or marginal. Through the Strait of Gibraltar, which is more than 13 km long, the sea flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The area of the Mediterranean basin is about 3 million km 2. The length of the reservoir from west to east is about 3800 km, and from north to south – about 1700 km. The total volume of sea water resources is more than 3800 km 3 .
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 to master movement by sea are 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 communications.
After 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 South-West Asia. Among them:
Seas
The Mediterranean Sea is a vast watershed that includes basins of other bodies of water 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 sea, there are a huge number of islands in the Mediterranean Sea, varying in size and location. Some of them are separate states. Archipelagos, which include several islands, are classified as countries that are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Most populous islands:
Depth of the Mediterranean Sea
Although the Mediterranean Sea is not included in the list of the deepest bodies of water in the world, in some parts of the basin there are areas with depressions more than 4000 m long. The Hellenic Trench 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 lobes - eastern and western. The first is an uneven surface dotted with many depressions and ridges. The bottom topography of the western sea region is smooth and relatively flat. 
At the bottom of the reservoir there are tectonic depressions and hills of active and extinct volcanoes. Also, the depths of the sea conceal an innumerable number of remains of sunken ships.
Among the largest bays of the Mediterranean are:
- Genoese.
- Gabes.
- Sidra.
- Lyonsky.
- Taranto.
- Walensky.
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 surrounding countries with climatic conditions that presuppose the predominance of high air temperatures. The shortage of resources is eliminated by waters coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
Salinity of the Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is considered quite warm. The temperature of sea water is controlled by the parameters of salinity and density, increasing during evaporation. The movement of water flows is provoked by winds. In straits, water flows faster - up to 2-4 km/h, while the flow speed in free areas is about 1 km/h.
The transparency of the water of the Mediterranean Sea is 55-60 m. The color of the reservoir in deep water areas 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. In the layers of the sea accessible to sunlight, phytoplankton lives, 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 for its ancient history, as its age exceeds 100 thousand years.
Animal world
The fauna of the Mediterranean basin is considered meager in number in comparison with the number of representatives of the animal world of other seas. This is due to the small diversity of plankton, which is food for marine inhabitants.
In addition to the well-known species of fish and mammals, in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea there are about 900 species of mollusks and invertebrate animals.
The reservoir is inhabited by:
Fishes of the Mediterranean Sea
Spring and summer are considered the spawning period for fish. At this time, they stay dispersed, without gathering in large schools. 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. The reservoir is home to dolphins, tuna and several species of flying fish. Approximately 290 species of waterfowl live in the Israeli part of the sea.
Among them:
- mullet;
- laurel;
- sea bream;
- garfish;
- zuban;
- Silago;
- palamid;
- marmir;
- Spitz;
- grouper;
- aras;
- Saragus;
- bluefish
Dangerous inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea
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 considered to be from May to July. In August, jellyfish season begins, so swimming in the sea becomes unsafe. The water of the Mediterranean Sea throughout the year ranges between +12°-+29°C in the coldest and hottest months, respectively.
The Mediterranean Sea offers both a relaxing holiday on 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 opportunity for a beach holiday and a wide program of entertainment. Each tourist spot 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 times 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 tourism infrastructure in the country is very developed, so each resort provides service at the highest level. In addition to relaxing on the beach and sightseeing tours, travelers are offered diving classes, visits to 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 they can forget about the bustle of big cities. The major resorts in 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 attractions and a huge excursion program. In the south, tourists can expect a warm welcome from local residents, the opportunity to relax on the beach and enjoy world-famous national cuisine. The Italian islands of Sicily, Capri and Sardinia will also give you an unforgettable vacation.
In Italy, cities worth visiting include:
Many travelers consider Spain 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 you with its Catalan flavor and open up the world of Gaudi's architecture, and Valencia will show tourists the birthplace of Don Quixote. Travelers will like the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol and the resort of San Sebastian.
France is called a country for luxury holidays. World-famous stars vacation at luxury resorts, but even a budget tourist can relax here without much financial loss. Hotels are graded by class, as are individual resort areas.
The most famous cities of the Cote d'Azur of the Mediterranean Sea are:
Despite the higher cost of a European holiday, the price is worth it thanks to the high quality of service, excellent cuisine and a varied leisure program.
During your vacation, it is worth remembering that in many Mediterranean resort countries, during lunch, all establishments close for a siesta. This happens from approximately 13:00 to 17:00.
Attractive Asian coastline
The tourism business is most common in countries on the Asian shores of the Mediterranean such as Turkey, Israel and Egypt. Travelers come here almost all year round, thanks to the pleasant climate of the region.
Israel is famous for its resorts. In Tel Aviv, tourists will immerse themselves in the contrasting atmosphere of the capital, 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 this the highlight of the Israeli coast.
Holidays in Israel will be provided by the following resort cities:
- 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. Exploring the Nile Valley is exciting, where vacationers can enjoy the view of magnificent gardens and ancient rock caves. In Alexandria and Marsa Matruh, in addition to historical attractions, travelers are offered a beach holiday.
Türkiye is considered the most visited resort country in the Mediterranean. Almost every coastal city has resort status. The service, the level of hotels and the quality of recreation 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 to the underground cities of Cappadocia.
The best Turkish resorts:
- Side.
- Alanya.
- Kemer.
- Belek.
- 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 improve their resorts and improve services, which represents competition for the European Mediterranean.
Despite the fact that the beaches of Algeria are somewhat inferior to the coastlines of other Mediterranean capitals in Africa, the city does not lose its popularity among tourists. 
Fans of excursions will appreciate visits to the ruins of Byzantine, Phoenician and Roman buildings. For travelers who prefer an active holiday, tours around the Sahara by jeep or camel are suitable. Holidays by the sea can be spent at Cape Sidi Fredge and the Turquoise Coast.
Tangier is considered one of the main resort destinations in Morocco. The city is attractive because it is simultaneously washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
In Tangier, you can not only relax by the water, but also see the famous oriental bazaars, colonial architecture and picturesque gardens with half-century-old trees. In Al Hoceima and Saidia, tourists will enjoy the uniqueness of Moroccan culture and will be able to spend a relaxed holiday.
The most popular resort in Tunisia is Hammamet. It is known for its landscaped beaches and numerous thalassotherapy salons. Tourists are invited to visit architectural monuments, ancient ruins and well-kept gardens, replete with 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 they 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 travel, the range of services and type of room may differ:
- Standard– low prices, a huge selection of services and entertainment, cabins without windows.
- Premium– luxurious interiors, high level of service, gourmet cuisine, rooms with portholes.
- Lux– the liners are designed for a small number of passengers, the staff fulfills any customer requirements, 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 wish.
The ship moves at sea in the evening or at night, so tourists are offered a large selection of entertainment:
- cafes, bars, restaurants;
- sports grounds and swimming pools;
- dance lessons;
- spas;
- cinemas;
- master classes for every taste;
- children's 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 stops. 
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 docked, 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 special 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 expand your horizons and visit the most significant places in a short time. Mediterranean tours cover the west and east coasts.
The program of cruise ship stops 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.
Countries washed by the Mediterranean Sea allow you to learn about their culture and history, in addition to providing a comfortable holiday in the sun. The variety of Mediterranean resorts will help you choose a vacation spot for every taste and income.
Article format: Mila Friedan
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TOP 10 most dangerous inhabitants of 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.
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The cradle of civilizations, the bone of discord and the oldest trade routes - all this is a “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 world's most famous resorts are located, to which millions of vacationers from all over the world flock every year. The countries of two continents - Africa and Eurasia, as well as numerous islands and archipelagos provide all the conditions for a good beach holiday: albeit not always warm, but quite clean waters, a sandy or pebble coast with a remarkably wide coastline, lush fruit-bearing nature and a lot of historical ruins around. What is especially pleasant is that a holiday in the Mediterranean bush can be classified as budget: a little more expensive than domestic “souths” and at the same time a whole range of entertainment and, for now, alas, a level of service that is mainly unattainable in the homeland.
Mediterranean countries
Let us not bend our hearts when we say that the Mediterranean is one of those successful tourism destinations in all respects, capable of offering the demanding tourist almost everything, immediately and at reasonable prices. There’s just so much to be had on the hospitable shores of the “middle sea”: plant-based relaxation in flip-flops and a swimsuit, interesting excursions to the sights of almost any period known to historical science, authentic items of souvenir interest, 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 raised.
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 Western Wall in Jerusalem or burning through what they have acquired through “backbreaking labor” at golden parties in Monaco, inhaling the smell of eternity in the Giza Valley or listening to the chirping of cicadas in emerald Corfu, following in the footsteps of the Grand Duchesses on the streets of Istanbul or looking at Fez drowning in the red midday haze.
Other pleasant bonuses of the destination include a short flight (most resorts can be reached in no more than 4 hours), a unified visa regime (we’re talking about Schengen), which allows you to go to your neighbors along the coastline for the evening without any hassle, or in some cases, even lack of visa formalities - like in Tunisia or Turkey. Among other things, the Mediterranean is the most financially accessible of the foreign resort seas - you can find a holiday 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 sweltering heat in the summer and mild, moderately sunny winters. The only downside is the extraordinary popularity of Mediterranean beaches, which in terms of the number of bodies per square meter of area easily surpasses the Klondike of the Gold Rush. However, for fans of secluded relaxation, the Mediterranean Sea has in store several secret corners, such as small Greek islands, where nothing prevents you from consigning everyday life to oblivion.
The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean in the west through the Strait of Gibraltar. This enclosed sea is surrounded on all sides by land. The ancient Greeks called the Mediterranean Sea the sea in the middle of the Earth. At that time, this name was fully justified, because all the ancient European and North African civilizations appeared in the basin of this sea. And it was the Mediterranean Sea that served as the main route for contacts between them.
Interesting fact: they say that the Mediterranean Sea is the remnants of its former greatness. Previously, in its place was the ancient Tethys Ocean. It extended far to the east and was much wider. Today, from Tethys, in addition to the Mediterranean Sea, only the drying up Aral and Caspian seas, as well as the Black, Azov and Marmara seas remain. The last three seas are included in the Mediterranean basin.
In addition, within the Mediterranean Sea, the Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, Cretan, Libyan, Cyprus and Levantine seas are distinguished as separate seas.
Detailed physical map of the Mediterranean seas in Russian. To enlarge, just click on the picture.
The currents of the Mediterranean Sea are not entirely normal. Under the influence of high temperatures, a lot of water evaporates and, therefore, the flow of fresh water prevails over its inflow. This naturally leads to a decrease in the water level and it has to be drawn from the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea. Interestingly, at depth in more saline layers the reverse process occurs and salt water flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition to the above factors, the currents of the Mediterranean Sea are mainly caused by wind processes. Their speed in open parts of the sea is 0.5-1.0 km/h; in the straits it can increase to 2-4 km/h. (for comparison, the Gulf Stream moves north at a speed of 6–10 km/h).
The magnitude of the tides is usually less than one meter, but there are places where, together with wind surges, it can reach up to four meters (for example, the northern coast of the island of Corsica or the Strait of Genoa). In narrow straits (the Strait of Messina), the tides can cause strong currents. In winter, waves reach their maximum and wave heights can reach 6-8 m.
The water of the Mediterranean Sea has an intense blue color and a relative transparency of 50-60 m. It is one of the saltiest and warmest seas in the world. In summer, the water temperature varies from 19 to 25 degrees, while in the east it can reach 27-3°C. In winter, the average water temperature decreases from north to south and varies between 8-17°C in the east and central part of the sea. At the same time, in the west the temperature regime is more stable and the temperature stays between 11-15°C.
There are many large and not very large islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and almost each of them is an attraction for many tourists. Let's name just a few of them:
The islands of Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain, Sardinia and Sicily in Italy, Corfu, Crete and Rhodes in Greece, Corsica in France, as well as Cyprus and Malta.
The Mediterranean Sea is located between Europe, Asia Minor and Africa. It is surrounded on all sides by land, with the exception of two narrow straits - the Strait of Gibraltar (connects the Mediterranean Sea with the North Atlantic) and the Bosporus Strait (connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Black Sea) - and the Suez Canal (connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea).
Area of the Mediterranean Sea 2965.5 thousand km2, Average depth 1500 m; The greatest depth (5092 m) is the depression of the Ionian Sea, located west of the Peloponnese peninsula (part of the Hellenic depression). The shallow threshold of the Strait of Sicily and the narrow Strait of Messina divide the Mediterranean Sea into two parts - eastern and western (and, accordingly, into two basins). The boundaries of the seas that make up the Mediterranean Sea are set arbitrarily.
In the western part of the Mediterranean Sea there are the Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas, in the eastern part - the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean and Marmara, located between the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits. The Mediterranean Sea is characterized by numerous small islands, especially in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
Largest islands: Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, Corsica and Crete. The main rivers flowing into the Mediterranean Sea: Rhone, Nile and Po. The waters of the rivers that flow into the Black Sea enter the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.
Bottom relief
The Mediterranean Sea has many morphological features characteristic of an oceanic basin. The continental shoals are quite narrow (less than 25 miles) and moderately developed. Continental slopes are usually very steep and cut by submarine canyons. The canyons off the French Riviera and off the western coast of Corsica are among the best studied.
At the continental foot of the large deltas of the Rhone and Po rivers there are alluvial fans. The alluvial fan of the Rhone River extends and the sea towards the Balearic Abyssal Plain. This abyssal plain with an area of over 78 thousand km2 occupies most of the western basin.
The steepness of the slopes of this plain suggests that the deposition of sediments brought by turbidity currents from the Rhone largely occurs through channels cutting through the fan. However, the Balearic Abyssal Plain receives sediment to some extent from the canyons of the Cote d'Azur and the canyons of the North African coast (Algeria region).
In the Tyrrhenian Sea there is a central abyssal plain with several small plateaus, on which the highest seamount rises 2850 m above the sea floor (depth above the mountain 743 m). There are many other seamounts in this sea; on the continental slope of Sicily and Calabria, the tops of some of them rise above the surface of the sea and form islands. In soil cores taken from the central abyssal plain, layers of ash are clearly visible that correspond to historical volcanic eruptions on the Apennine Peninsula.
Bottom morphology The eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea is noticeably different from the morphology of the bottom of the western basin. In the western basin, except for a small abyssal plain in the center of the Ionian Sea, no other large areas with horizontally lying and undeformed terrigenous sediments were found. Vast areas of the bottom represent either a complexly dissected median ridge, or a series of collapsed depressions located in an arc parallel to the Hellenic archipelago.
Deep Sea Depressions stretch from the Ionian Islands and pass south of the islands of Crete and Rhodes in the Gulf of Antalya (Hellenic Basin). The greatest depth of the Mediterranean Sea - 5092 m - has one of these depressions with a flat bottom (filled with sediments). Sediments began to fill another depression south of the island of Rhodes (depth 4450 m).
On the Nile fan there are well-developed channels that form a large branched system. The channels lead to a very narrow abyssal plain at the base of the fan, in contrast to the western Mediterranean basin where the Rhône fan feeds the greater Balearic abyssal plain. Currently, the narrow abyssal plain at the base of the Nile fan is actively deforming; Some of its sections are a median ridge, or a series of collapsed depressions located in an arc parallel to the Hellenic archipelago. Apparently, in the recent past, the process of sedimentation occurred more slowly than the tectonic deformation of large parts of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Hydrological regime. The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by countries with a dry climate, as a result of which the amount of evaporation significantly exceeds the amount of precipitation and river flow. The resulting water deficit is replenished through the Strait of Gibraltar by the influx of North Atlantic surface water. An increase in water salinity due to evaporation causes an increase in its density. Denser water sinks to depth; thus, the western and eastern basins are filled with a homogeneous and relatively warm water mass.
Temperature and salinity deep and intermediate waters fluctuate within very small limits: from 12.7 to 14.5 ° C and from 38.4 to 39 prom.
Water circulation
North Atlantic surface waters entering the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar move along the coast of North Africa and gradually spread over the surface of the Mediterranean Sea; part of the waters extends into the Lugirian Sea, part into the Tyrrhenian Sea. There, cooling due to evaporation and the influence of dry polar air masses coming from Europe, the waters sink, forming a certain type of water mass in the western Mediterranean Sea. North Atlantic waters also enter the eastern sector of the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Sicily. where some of them deviate north into the Adriatic Sea. As a result of evaporation, they also cool here and sink to depth. North Atlantic waters sporadically flow over the threshold of the Strait of Otranto, forming a deep water mass in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The distribution of dissolved oxygen in the deep waters of the Ionian Sea indicates their circulation in a counterclockwise direction.
The remaining North Atlantic waters on the surface, now very much changed by evaporation, continue to move eastward to the island of Cyprus, where they sink during the winter months.
North Atlantic surface waters, carrying large amounts of dissolved salts, must eventually return to the North Atlantic, since the salinity of the Mediterranean Sea does not increase over time.
Outflow of waters from the Mediterranean Sea occurs through the threshold of the Strait of Gibraltar at a depth below the incoming flow (300 m). The Mediterranean water leaving the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar, despite its higher temperature, is significantly more saline and denser than the Atlantic water, which is at the same level. As a result, Mediterranean water, having entered the Atlantic Ocean, flows down the continental slope until, finally, at a depth of 1000 m it meets Atlantic deep water of the same density. The Mediterranean water then rises and spreads north, south and west, forming a layer that extends south into the Atlantic for several thousand miles.
Nutrients. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea are poor in nutrients. There are significantly less phosphates in them than in the waters of the North Atlantic. This is explained by this. that waters from the North Atlantic enter the Mediterranean Sea through a shallow threshold, so only North Atlantic surface waters, which themselves are already greatly depleted, pass into the Mediterranean Sea. The accumulation of nutrients in deep waters is also prevented by the continuous outflow of water returning through the Strait of Gibraltar. To completely ventilate the entire Mediterranean basin by removing water, about 75 children are required.
Tides in the Mediterranean Sea mostly semi-daily. The eastern and western basins have separate systems of standing waves. In the Adriatic Sea, a progressive (forward) tide of about 1 m is observed, moving around the aifidromic point located near the center of the Mediterranean Sea. In other points of the Mediterranean Sea the tide is about 30 cm.
Bottom sediments near the coast include the following components: 1) carbonates, consisting mainly of coccolithophores, as well as foraminifera and pteropods; 2) detritus carried by wind and currents; 3) volcanogenic substances and 4) end products of weathering of land rocks, mainly clay minerals. The average carbon content in the soil cores of the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea is about 40% and in the soil cores of the western basin is about 30%. Detritus content varies from zero to maximum; in general, it is higher in the soil cores of the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Sometimes it is possible to recognize sandy horizons in soil cores and compare them from core to core. Volcanic ash forms more or less distinct layers and is also found in non-volcanic material. The amount of volcanic products is small, excluding areas close to the volcanoes (Vesuvius and Etna).
The rate of sedimentation near the Levanto and in the Ionian Sea is low, the same as in the central part of the North Atlantic; in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea it is several times greater.
Structure of the earth's crust. Analysis of data from seismic measurements using the refracted wave method, carried out in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, showed that the earth's crust here is of “oceanic nature”. Throughout the Balearic Abyssal Plain, the depth of the Mohorovicic surface is less than 12 km from sea level. This value increases towards the mainland and reaches more than 50 km under the Alpes-Maritimes, which end abruptly at the Côte d'Azur.
In the Mediterranean Sea, a layer of sediments (thickness 1-1.5 km) with a low velocity of longitudinal waves (1.7-2.5 km/s) is underlain by a thick layer of rocks with an average velocity of longitudinal waves (3.0-6.0 km/s) With). Precipitation with low wave speed is much more powerful in the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea than in the eastern basin. If a layer with intermediate wave speeds marks the base of the sediment column, then its thickness is extremely small, taking into account the large area over which the Rhone River flow extends. (In the deep-water part of the Gulf of Mexico, the sediment thickness is more than 6 km.)
However, if the reflector is composed of consolidated sediments or volcanic rocks within a sedimentary sequence, then it indicates a significant change in the geological history of that basin. The magnetic field in the Mediterranean Sea is remarkably uniform, especially in the tectonically active eastern basin. However, strong anomalies occur over seamounts in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The central part of the Hellenic Basin is associated with a wide strip of negative gravity anomalies. They are associated with a large subsidence of the earth's crust blocks inside this depression. Seismic studies in the northern part of the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea revealed its lowering relative to the European continent by 3 km. The underlying cause of such large vertical movements is not well understood. Weak Faya gravity anomalies in the western Mediterranean indicate that the basin is in isostatic equilibrium. It is extremely difficult to imagine how the modern "oceanic" crust could have maintained its previous uplift without some redistribution of density within the deep crust or upper mantle.
Geotectonic development. The Mediterranean Sea is a relict sea, the remnant of a huge water basin that formerly stretched from Portugal to the Pacific Ocean (via the Alps, Southeast Europe, Turkey, Iran, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia). It is believed to have been associated with the Maori Geosyncline in New Zealand. Suess called this ancient sea basin the Tethys Sea.
Its history is well known since the Triassic, but even in the Paleozoic traces of such a connection are noticeable, and many authors speak of proto- or paleo-Tethys. Tethys separated the northern continents (Eurasia and, possibly, the continuation of North America, i.e. Laurasia) from the southern continents, originally united into Gondwana.
Between the two mentioned giant continental blocks of the primary “Protogen” there was, apparently, constant interaction for at least the last half a billion years. Different authors imagine these relationships in different ways. Proponents of continental drift, for example Argand, Wegener, believe that there was a constant convergence of the two original earth masses, which led to the subsidence of deep-sea depressions and ultimately to the formation of the Alpine folding, which arose at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous period and resumed in several phases of the Tertiary period.
According to others (for example, Staub, Glanzho), so-called “ebbs and flows” took place, i.e. processes of compression and expansion.
Mediterranean Sea surrounded on all sides by earth. One glance at the map is enough to agree with this judgment. This was also known ancient Greek scientist.
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Features of geographical location and climate
Mediterranean Sea it's not named in vain, from all sides it touches with continents.
This has not yet been found anywhere in the world. large indoor pool, which is connected to the ocean by only a tiny, for this scale, bridge - Strait of Gibraltar.
The sea in its own way geographical location is between: Asia, Europe, Africa.
Total area - 2,500 square kilometers. The maximum depth is 5,121 meters.
It is connected by channels and straits with Black, Red And Seas of Marmara.
Concerning bottom relief, then everything is typical for the sea peculiarities:
Part Mediterranean Sea includes inland seas:
- Aegean;
- Alboran;
- Adriatic;
- Balearic;
- Ionian;
- Ligurian;
- Tyrrhenian.
If you are planning a vacation on the Adriatic Sea, find out detailed information about its resorts from this article
in winter the weather is very changeable, regularly there are storms, and pass heavy rainfall. The temperature drops significantly due to the influence northern winds.
In summer observed here dry fog and a small amount precipitation.
Tourists come en masse to these places closer to mid-summer. By July the reservoir warms up to +27 degrees.
Countries and islands
To the Mediterranean include vast territories of countries and islands. We give examples of some of them below.
Countries
- Türkiye. There are resorts here that are very popular with Russian tourists. Most of the service staff are talking in Russian, which simplifies holidays in a foreign country for our tourists. There are a lot of excellent ones here beaches, inexpensive hotels and one of the best in the world kitchens. The reservoir washes the following major Turkish cities - Mersin, Istanbul, Antalya And Izmir.
- Italy. It is located in the western Mediterranean. People come here to eat delicious pizza And spaghetti and also enjoy warm sun. Resort towns are considered Rome, Sicily And Milan.
- 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. A country attractive for tourists, first of all, quickly gaining momentum yachting. For this purpose the state allocates multi-million dollar investment.
- Montenegro. The beach is especially worth a look Ada Boyana. Here the 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.
- Morocco. Intersect here European And Islamic traditions and cultures. This fact attracts tourists. According to statistics, people also come here to see cultural attractions. Particularly popular Casablanca.
- Tunisia. Ancients museums, mysterious artifacts, monuments architecture, memorable markets– at local resorts you can’t find any miracles.
Italy is a great place to relax not only in summer, but also in winter. Read about the winter resorts of this country here
In ancient times it was believed that the Mediterranean Sea was located in the center of the world. The Roman aborigines called it Inland Sea, since all its shores were conquered by them.
Islands
Also in the Mediterranean a bunch of big and small islands, interesting for travelers. Among them stand out:
- Djerba. Located in the north Africa. Translated from ancient Arabic as "wheat town". The island is mentioned in the famous "Odyssey" Homer. Pink flamingos, ancient synagogue, fireballs, local delicious rice– something like this simply cannot be missed if you find yourself in 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 numerous volcanic craters.
Scientists have found out that due to the catastrophic floods, which occurred 5.3 million years ago, is precisely filling occurred Mediterranean Sea. In two years such a large water basin was formed!
Eastern Mediterranean
Most often to Eastern Mediterranean include the shores of Greece, Italy and Turkey, this the opinion is wrong. If we approach this issue from a geographical point of view 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 about the island's hotels in this article
Pros and cons of holidays on the Mediterranean Sea
On the Mediterranean Sea ideal to relax in September. At this time already the heat subsides, and the water remains warm. An additional advantage is that the reservoir contains a large amount healthy salts And No dangerous poisonous plants And animals.
Can be inspected attractions completely different countries of the world and get to know them culture. After all, the Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of a good half continents of the world.
In Mediterranean resorts there is a very developed resort and medical infrastructure. Therefore, people suffering diseases of various origins, can easily find a place for relaxation and recovery.
There are no cons. Unless, of course, you consider the scorching summer sun a disadvantage.
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