South coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean

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.

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, , Africa.

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

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

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

continental slope indented by canyons;
shelf narrow.

Part Mediterranean Sea includes and inland seas:

Aegean;
Alboran;
Adriatic;
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

... 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.
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... 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 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.

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.

... Here intersect 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 architectures markets- at the local resorts which are not found miracles.

Islands

Kara is clickable, click on it to enlarge.

There is also lots of large and small Mediterranean islands interesting for travelers. Among them stand apart:

Djerba... Located in the north Of Africa... 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! 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: the 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 - sights 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 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 in a short time such different and such distant countries.

Together with this material, they usually read:

For lovers of unconditionally comfortable rest, cruise ships have been created and special routes and entertainment programs 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 capable of easily absorbing 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 considered:

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 be filled 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, 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 (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 pages of Wikipedia.

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 the moon are located either on the same side of the Earth (new moon) or on different sides (full moon) and the forces of gravity 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 Sea

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 up to 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 will find on the pages of Wikipedia

There are 4 types of flying fish on the Israeli coast:

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 expanses from different types of sick, weak inhabitants. Their population is declining. 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. It is interesting that this water area would be enough to easily swallow Western Europe!

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 of 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 general 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.

(2 estimates, average: 4,50 out of 5)

The Mediterranean Sea is "chained" among 3 continents. It is the 8th largest sea in the world. Its outline immediately attracts attention, due to its unusual shape and the number of ancient cities on the banks. For many centuries, the waters of the Mediterranean Sea were silent witnesses of how the history of mankind was created, on its shores empires were born and died out on the world map.

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is located in the northern hemisphere. The sea is inland and runs along the entire northern coast of Africa and the southern coast of Europe. It begins in the west of the so-called Pillars of Hercules and ends on the coast of the Levant. It looks like a huge lake. It got its name according to the ideas about the geography of people who lived in Ancient Greece.

Translated from Greek means "sea in the middle of the Earth." The Greeks thought so, because the sea was a natural barrier between the cities of Europe, Asia Minor and Africa. The name is translated into Russian in an exact translation, and does not sound like its transcription from Greek - Mare Mediterraneum.

The Mediterranean Sea was previously part of the ancient ocean - Tethys.

Now it has crashed into a whole cascade of seas that used to be one body of water:

Mediterranean Sea.
Black Sea.
Caspian Sea.
Aral Sea.

Countries bordering the Mediterranean

If you start from the extreme western point of the Mediterranean Sea, namely from Gibraltar (British possession) and go clockwise, the sea washes the following countries:

Gibraltar (UK).
Spain, it is also the final country, on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar is the Spanish port of Ceuta.
France the entire southern coast of this country is one endless resort, not without reason that it received the unofficial name - Cote d'Azur.
Monaco.
Italy, one of the longest coastlines with the Mediterranean Sea, has just this country.
Slovenia.
Croatia, the Mediterranean coast of this country is one of the most picturesque.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is perhaps the smallest coastline of about 20 km.
Montenegro.
Albania.
Greece, the largest concentration of antiquity per sq. km.
Turkey, the tourist Mecca of the Mediterranean.
Syria.
Lebanon.
Israel.
Egypt, like the entire African coast, is mostly lifeless, but sometimes there are small resort oases.
Libya.
Tunisia, here are the ruins of Carthage, the ancient city of Rome's rival for dominion in Europe.
Algeria.
Morocco.

Island states inside the Mediterranean Sea are Malta and Cyprus.

Gibraltar remains a disputed territory to this day. Great Britain received it in its possession back in 1713 under the Urecht Peace Treaty. Spain still disputes these territories. In the 18th and 19th centuries, several military attempts were made to reclaim the fort, but they were all unsuccessful.

Cyprus is an island state, officially a single state - the Republic of Cyprus, unofficially - divided into 2 parts: Greek and Turkish. The Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are separated by a buffer zone with a contingent of UN peacekeepers.

Mediterranean Sea Depth: Maximum and Average

6 million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea lost its connection with the Atlantic Ocean, it turned into a huge internal “lake” without recharge from the world's oceans. It dried up quickly, the water level dropped by 100-120 m.

Mediterranean Sea Depth Map

However, about 5 million years ago there was an earthquake, which led to the formation of the current Strait of Gibraltar and the sea was recharged from the Atlantic Ocean. This event can be compared with the second birth of the Mediterranean Sea, it was after this that it got its previous appearance.

The Alboran Sea follows immediately after the Strait of Gibraltar, for the most part it is shallow with depths of up to 200 m. Moving further to the east, the sea gains a depth of up to 2 km.

The maximum depth is located in the Ionian Sea, in the so-called Central Basin and is called the Hellenic Basin. Its depth is 5121 m.

The area between the coasts of Greece and Turkey is strewn with thousands of islands. The average depth here is relatively shallow, reaching 200 m.With an increase in depth after Crete towards the coast of Africa, here the average depth is more than 2000 m.South of Turkey and along the entire coast of Israel and Egypt, the depth is from 1500 to 2000 m.

The average depth throughout the sea is 1541 m.

Mediterranean structure

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is divided into 3 sections: western, central and eastern.

Visually, they can be clearly divided:

Western - between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Apennine Peninsula.
Central - between the Apennine Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula.
Eastern - between the Balkan Peninsula and the Levant coast.

The main “donor” of water for the Mediterranean Sea is the Atlantic Ocean. The influence of rivers on the sea level is not great.

Major rivers flowing into the Mediterranean:

Ron.

Ebb and flow

The Mediterranean Sea is connected with the Atlantic Ocean by the small Strait of Gibraltar.
Therefore, the influence of the moon's gravity on this inland sea is minimal. The ebbs and flows are several cm. Therefore, their influence is rather difficult for a person to assess.

How many seas are in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea has a complex structure and consists of many other seas, which are not even always indicated on the world map.

Officially, it includes the seas recognized by international agreements:

Alboran.
Balearic.
Ligurian.
Tyrrhenian.
Ionian.
Adriatic.
Aegean.

Flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is connected with the Atlantic Ocean only by a small strait. This greatly affected the ecosystem of the entire sea, primarily because the Atlantic Ocean cannot also strongly feed the Mediterranean Sea with plankton, unlike the high seas.

The reduced plankton content led to a lower concentration of fish, which in turn provoked a more rapid growth of vegetation and the emergence of the world's longest colony “oceanic Posidonia” - more than 700 km.

Due to the low content of plankton, whales are absent in the sea, but other large mammals are found in whose diet it is not included. There are 47 shark species in the Mediterranean Sea, including tiger and white sharks.

It is still a mystery to scientists why sharks behave less aggressively in the Mediterranean Sea than in other regions of the world's oceans. Shark attacks on humans in the Mediterranean are extremely rare.

The largest cities on the Mediterranean coast

Largest ports:

Barcelona.
Monaco.
Genoa.
Naples.
Athens.
Istanbul.

Barcelona is one of the largest ports not only in the Mediterranean, but also in Europe. The climate is mild, the Balearic Islands with the world famous Ibiza and Mallorca are not so far away.

Nice, Monaco and Genoa- cities located close to each other, but located in 3 different countries. Nice is famous for its resort - Cote d'Azur and the Promenade des Anglais.

Monaco the center of entertainment throughout Europe. Genoa is a major Italian port with a rich history and incredible architecture. During the Renaissance, Genoa was a real financial center of Europe and capital from all over the world flocked here, and Genoese merchants were considered the wealthiest people of that time.

Athens- the cradle of democracy and the flourishing of the sciences of Ancient Greece, it is here that you can fully feel the spirit of enlightenment of that era. Nowadays, it has long been not so significant and large port from an economic point of view, but the historical and cultural component of this city is certainly a diamond throughout the Mediterranean.

Istanbul- the former Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire sunk into oblivion and the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. The city dividing Europe and Asia and located on both continents through the Bosphorus, like no other has absorbed the culture of both civilizations, is still one of the most important historical, cultural and economic centers in the world.

Climate, water temperature by months

The climate in the Mediterranean is subtropical. The sea is inland and surrounded by three continents, which has formed its own unique climatic balance that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Sometimes it is even singled out as a separate type or as a specific subspecies of the subtropical climate and is called "Mediterranean".

In winter, the sea lowers the pressure along the entire coast, which leads to rather large storms and waves up to 8 m.The sea during this period is almost always not calm, and the weather is rainy and cloudy

As a heavenly compensation for a “bad” winter, in summer, on the contrary, high pressure prevails and almost all summer days the sea is calm and the sky is clear. What residents and guests of the coast can enjoy.

Average temperatures on the south and north coasts differ. The influence of the deserts of Africa is affecting the warming southern borders of the sea. Therefore, in the south, the average temperature is 16 degrees, and in the north - 10 degrees. In the “velvet” season (August-September), the average temperature is 30 and 22 degrees, respectively, along the coasts.

The water warms up to 27 degrees in areas of Tunisia and the coast of Israel. The Spanish and Turkish coasts warm up to 22 degrees, which provides a comfortable tourist environment.

The average water temperature across the sea is shown in the table below:

January	14 ° C
February	13 ° C
March	15 ° C
April	16 ° C
May	17 ° C
June	20 ° C
July	24 ° C
August	26 ° C
September	25 ° C
October	21 ° C
November	18 ° C
December	15 ° C

Holidays in the Mediterranean: when is the best time to go?

The Mediterranean Sea on the world map is located in the Northern Hemisphere, so it is better to go on vacation in the summer, August, September throughout the Mediterranean Sea - the velvet season. The warm sea and pleasant coolness in the evening will provide an unforgettable vacation for the most fastidious tourist at any point on the map.

This is true for European resorts, African countries in the southern part of the sea and the coast of Israel and Cyprus are suitable for swimming almost all year round. Heavy rains can often fall during the winter, so your vacation can be spoiled by these circumstances. And even if you choose warmer Mediterranean countries, it is better to visit them in the summer or early autumn.

The best resorts in the Mediterranean

By far the best tourist countries in this region have long been known to everyone:

These countries have long been chosen by our compatriots and are famous for their excellent beaches and good service, some of them are especially popular.

Greece: cities, hotels, prices, interesting places.

Greece - one of the best resort regions of this country is the island of Corfu.

Located in the Ionian Sea, far from the noise of big cities on a secluded island, there are 200 km of transparent beaches, coupled with ancient buildings, shrouded in thickets of olive groves and cypress forests, give an unforgettable ambiance to this place.

The capital of the island is the city of Kerkyra. Previously, this was the name of the entire island in honor of the mythological nymph Kerkyra - the beloved of the god of the sea, Poseidon.

Hotels in the bulk are located in the following cities of the island:

Kerkyra.
Paleokastritsa.
Benitses.
Kavos.

The most expensive hotels are located in Kerkyra and Paleokastritsa, the price goes up to 10-12 thousand rubles per night. In Benitses and Kavos, prices are more democratic - from 1923 rubles. per night.

The selection of the best hotels, according to visitors' reviews, is as follows for each city.

Kerkyra:

Hotel Locandiera - £ 99
Hotel Bella Venezia - $ 140
Hotel Konstantinoupolis - $ 80
Hotel Mayor Mon Repos Palace - £ 99
Corfu Palace Hotel - £ 156

Paleokastritsa:

Benitses:

Eros Beach Hotel - £ 53
Hotel Hotel Kaiser Bridge - $ 80
Bella Vista Beach Hotel - £ 27
Bella Vista Beach Hotel - £ 99
Benitsa Beach Hotel - £ 35
Karina Hotel - £ 53

Kavos:

Hotel Melissa Apartments - £ 19
Hotel Mediterranean Blue - £ 28
Hotel Seaside Resorts - £ 28
Erofili Hotel - 3 000 RUB
Hotel Kavos Plaza Hotel - £ 64
Hotel Oula Maisonettes - £ 30

Turkey: cities, hotels, prices, places of interest

Antalya is the tourist capital of Turkey, all tourists arrive at the airport of this particular city, and then on transfers go to nearby resorts. The historic center has many “artifact buildings” for history buffs. The Byzantine Church of Panagia and the Ivli Minaret are among the oldest buildings in the city.

The Museum of Archeology is definitely worth a visit. A selection of the best hotels according to visitors' reviews, in the velvet season (August-September, prices per night):

Kemer is the "greenest" resort in Turkey, there is a national park not far from the city, and the beaches are considered the cleanest in the country. The lack of cultural and historical attractions is fully compensated by environmentally friendly and healthy recreation and unity with nature.

Selection by hotels:

Hotel Maxx Royal Kemer Resort - $ 790
Camyuva Beach Hotel - £ 154
Hotel Simena Sun Club - $ 199
Hotel Berke Ranch & Nature - £ 52

Alanya is a choice for those who love the golden mean. The city also has historical sights and an active nightlife. The entire coastline is strewn with an endless string of hotels. Here, with equal success, you can wander through the ruins of the ancient city and oriental bazaars and make yourself an entertaining curtsy with a long auto-party.

The best hotels:

Spain: cities, hotels, prices, places of interest

Spain, a country that has access not only to the Mediterranean Sea. She also has famous resorts in the Canary Islands and San Sebastian, located in the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay, respectively. However, we are talking about the Mediterranean, so they will be discussed.

Among them, the most famous are naturally the Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Mallorca) and the Costa Brava. Costa Brava is located on the mainland of Spain near Barcelona.

Ibiza is the center of parties throughout Europe, and local discos are famous far beyond its borders.

Top hotels (prices per night):

Mallorca is famous for its unforgettable beaches and mild climate. Not such a busy party life as in Ibiza makes this place ideal for families with children. Of the sights, architecture lovers, be sure to visit the Almudaina Palace. Quite an extravagant building, made in the Arabian style, is located in the capital of the island of Palma de Mallorca.

The best hotels:

Hotel Hotel Rural Sa Posada d'Aumallia - £ 141
Hotel Red house Mallorca - £ 200
Hotel Myseahouse Flamingo - $ 266
Hotel Europe Playa Marina - £ 156
Hotel Sa Casa Rotja - $ 129

Italy: cities, hotels, prices, places of interest

Italy is a very special country to travel and beach tourism is no exception. The atmosphere of this country will forever remain in your heart wherever you are. And the kitchen will take your gastronomic needs to the next level. Italy has one of the longest coastlines and you can literally have a rest on the shores of the Mediterranean all over the country. Let's highlight some of the best resorts in Italy.

Sorrento, a city located near Naples, on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. One of the features is the short beach area and large steep banks. The Basilica of St. Anthony, named after the patron saint of the city, is one of the finest examples of Italian architecture, painted inside by the famous Giambattista Lama.

The best hotels:

On the other side of the Italian boot, Rimini is considered one of the best resorts, despite the fact that the city is located in the north, thanks to the shallow water, the water here warms up quickly and the swimming season begins in May.

Rest in Remini is also good because from here it is easy to get to any continental city of northern Italy Milan, Turin and Venice are very close. And these places are undoubtedly famous all over the world, the attractions of which can be listed endlessly.

Best offers:

Hotel Parco dei Principi - £ 159
Hotel La Gradisca - £ 99
Hotel Polo - £ 8
Hotel Diplomat Palace - $ 99

Egypt: cities, hotels, prices, places of interest

Egypt's main destination for tourism is the Red Sea, not the Mediterranean. The Red Sea has one indisputable advantage, the beach season is open all year round. Historically, locals prefer to visit the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea.

The coastline of Egypt with the Mediterranean Sea is more than a thousand kilometers and is conditionally divided into three regions: Sinai, Nile Delta and West Coast.

The Sinai direction is practically not represented in any way, the proximity to the “hot spots” of the Gaza Strip affects. The Nile Delta is not suitable for recreation, as it is a large swampy area.

The western direction is represented by resorts concentrated near Alexandria and Mersa Matruh.

Alexandria - "Oxford" of the ancient world, a city-museum, history buffs will appreciate this city according to its merits. And near Mersa Matruh there is “Cleopatra's bay”. According to legend, the Egyptian queen loved to swim here.

The main advantage of the Egyptian-Mediterranean resorts over the Red Sea resorts is the much cheaper price tag for accommodation and food.

The best hotels:

While abroad, any tourist needs to make allowances for local customs and culture when communicating with the local population. Many things that are characteristic of Russian culture will not always be understood and accepted in another country.

You can often hear Russian speech and meet many people who understand Russian, in Turkey and Egypt. It is not at all necessary to buy dollars or change rubles when traveling to these countries - they are accepted there along with the local currency.

The countries located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea have a multi-confessional composition and completely different peoples live in different parts of it in their culture, religion and mentality. The world map shows that both Christian, Muslim and Jewish countries are located on the coast.

Article design: Vladimir the Great

Video about the holidays in the Mediterranean

Overview of holidays in Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea:

Countries and resorts of the Mediterranean: maps, photos and videos. Holidays in the Mediterranean, hotels, beaches, water temperatures off the coast of resorts.

Tours for May around the world
Last Minute Tours around the world

The cradle of civilizations, the bone of contention and the oldest trade routes - all this is the "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 most famous world resorts are located, to the storm of which millions of vacationers from all over the world rush every year. The countries of two continents - Africa and Eurasia, as well as numerous islands and archipelagos provide all the conditions for a full-fledged beach holiday: albeit not always warm, but quite clean waters, sandy or pebble coast with a remarkably wide coastline, lush fruitful nature and a lot of historical ruins around. What is especially pleasant is that rest in the Mediterranean bushes can be classified as a budget: a little more expensive than domestic "south" and at the same time a whole range of entertainment and so far, alas, mostly unattainable at home level of service.

Mediterranean countries

Let's not twist our hearts, saying that the Mediterranean is one of those in all respects successful tourism destinations that can offer the discerning tourist almost everything, at once and at affordable prices. What is missing on the hospitable shores of the "middle sea": and plant rest in slippers and a swimsuit, and interesting excursions to the sights of almost any period known to historical science, and authentic items of souvenir interest, and rich opportunities for studying foreign languages "with immersion", and terribly tasty, and most importantly, healthy Mediterranean cuisine, on whose dishes more than one generation of centenarians have been raised.

Another characteristic feature of the Mediterranean, a balm for the heart of an attentive tourist, an exceptional variety of nationalities, languages, cultures.

Everyone will find something to their liking: praying at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem or burning through the acquired "back-breaking labor" at golden parties in Monaco, inhaling the scent of eternity in the Giza Valley or listening to the chirping of cicadas on emerald Corfu, following the footsteps of the grand duchesses on the streets of Istanbul, or gazing at drowning in the red haze of Fez.

Other pleasant bonuses of the direction are a short flight (you can fly to most resorts in no more than 4 hours), a combined visa regime (we are talking about Schengen), which allows you to give up the evening to your neighbors along the coastline without any hassle, in some cases even no visa formalities - like in Tunisia or Turkey. Among other things, the Mediterranean - the most financially accessible of the foreign resort seas - you can find rest here, starting from 200 EUR "from the nose". Finally, the climate here is closest to the "universal" - the swimming season from May to October, the absence of exhausting heat in summer and mild, moderately sunny winters. Of the minuses - perhaps the extraordinary popularity of Mediterranean beaches, which, in terms of the number of bodies per square meter of area, easily spit the Klondike of the "gold rush" times. 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 your everyday life to oblivion.