The Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is the largest of the semi-enclosed European seas. It is surrounded by 18 countries and has shores on three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia). Its coastline is about 46,000 kilometres long. The sea's average depth is 1,500 metres. The sea consists of two major basins: east and west.

There are four smaller, regional seas within the Mediterranean: the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic and Aegean seas. The Mediterranean Sea is linked to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar, with the Black Sea by the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus, and with the Red Sea by the Suez Canal.

Physical features 

Biological features 

Human impact and pollution 

Protection measures