By the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean lies between Europe, Africa and Asia. It is an inland sea, connected to the vast Atlantic Ocean only by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar.

The Mediterranean Sea formed millions of years ago. A shallow sea basin probably existed here long ago. Deep underground, enormous tectonic plates press against one another: the African and Eurasian plates, which are divided into several smaller plates. This pressure led to the formation of the Alps. South of the Alps, the land sank, and the sea basin grew deeper.

During the last ice ages, sea levels fell because large amounts of water froze at the Earth's poles. The present-day Mediterranean became a basin that was almost completely dried up. As the climate warmed, much of the ice melted, sea levels rose and the Mediterranean filled with water again.

Spain lies to the west. It has a long Mediterranean coastline, particularly in the regions of Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia. Southeastern France also has a long Mediterranean coastline.

Italy is almost entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the Mediterranean’s best-known coastal cities, such as Rome, Naples and Palermo, are in Italy. Greece, with its capital Athens, is also bordered by the Mediterranean to the west, south and east.

Turkey has a long Mediterranean coastline, particularly in the regions of Antalya and Izmir. The Bosporus connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea. Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza Strip lie in the eastern Mediterranean. Egypt lies to the southeast. The Suez Canal runs through Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The ancient city of Alexandria is Egypt’s best-known port city. Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco are also in North Africa.

The islands of Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca lie in the western Mediterranean and belong to Spain. They are part of the Balearic Islands.

Corsica is a French island in the western Mediterranean. Sardinia lies south of Corsica and belongs to Italy.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. It belongs to Italy. The ancient cities of Palermo and Catania, as well as Europe’s highest volcano, Mount Etna, are located in Sicily. Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean and is claimed by both Greece and Turkey. Crete and Rhodes are the largest Greek islands in the Mediterranean.

The Nile is the longest river in Africa and one of the best-known rivers in the world. It rises in East Africa and flows through several countries, including Sudan and Egypt, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile Delta consists of several branches of the Nile. The Rhône rises in Switzerland. It flows through Lake Geneva and then through France. It empties into the Mediterranean Sea near Marseille.The Ebro is the longest river in Spain and flows through northeastern Spain. It empties into the Mediterranean Sea near the town of Tortosa.The Po is the longest river in Italy and flows through northern Italy. It empties into the Adriatic Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean.

There are many large and important port cities on the Mediterranean. Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain. It is not only a popular tourist destination, but also an important port for cargo and cruise ships. Marseille is France's largest port and one of the most important in the entire Mediterranean region. Genoa in Italy has a long tradition of maritime trade. The city has one of the largest ports on the Mediterranean and is an important hub for freight traffic. Istanbul lies both on the Mediterranean and on the Bosporus, and is an important port for trade between Europe and Asia. The port of Alexandria in Egypt plays an important role in trade and shipping. Alexandria is also known for its ancient sights. Valencia in Spain has a modern port that is important for both trade and tourism. It is one of the largest container ports on the Mediterranean. Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and also has an important port.

The Mediterranean is home to a diverse range of animals and plants. Common fish species include tuna, sardines, gilt-head bream and sea bream. Dolphins and whales live in the Mediterranean, including the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and sperm whale. The Mediterranean is an important habitat for several species of sea turtle, including the loggerhead, green and leatherback turtles. Several species of coral can also be found there, such as red coral. Seagrass meadows are important habitats in the Mediterranean, providing shelter and food for many species. Numerous seabirds also live along the Mediterranean coast, including gulls, shearwaters and gannets.