The Mediterranean Sea is a real gem of Europe. Since ancient times, ports were built here, bloody naval battles were fought, ships and new lands were conquered. The bottom of the sea is strewn with fragments of sunken ships and their cargoes, many legends go about treasures hidden under the thickness of the water. Today, the Mediterranean Sea is a center of tourism and recreation. France, Italy, Spain, Turkey - these are just some of the countries that host tourists on their Mediterranean coast.
Characteristics of the Mediterranean
The name the Mediterranean Sea appeared in antiquity and reflected the view of the people of that time about the structure of the world. All countries were around this sea - in the south African civilizations reigned, in the east - Persia, the northern lands belonged to Ancient Rome and Greece.
The area of this largest intercontinental sea is about 2,500,000 square kilometers, the maximum depth is more than 5 thousand meters. It washes the shores of Africa, Europe and Asia. There are also several inland seas along the coastline : Balearic, Ligurian, Adriatic, Aegean and others.
The animal and plant life in the Mediterranean Sea is quite scarce. Perhaps this is due to the active development and use of the coast and water, which led to the extinction of many species of animals and plants.
Mediterranean climate
The Mediterranean climate is a separate category and extends to most coastal countries. It is a subtropical climate with warm and long summers, which are characterized by high pressure zones. In summer, air masses with foci of high pressure prevail over the coast, blocking precipitation. Thanks to this phenomenon, the Mediterranean is so popular - during the tourist season there are almost no cloudy days.
The water temperature of the Mediterranean Sea now, in February, averages about 15 degrees Celsius. Precipitation falls in the winter - in the mountains in the form of snow, on the plain in the form of rain. The main annual rainfall is in winter. Interestingly, in the summer, rains may be absent for several months in a row.
Mediterranean Sea Map
Since ancient times, researchers and sailors have tried to create an accurate map of the Mediterranean Sea, which would have all the cities and countries, seas and straits. Cartographers used the sea as a reference point in the middle of the Earth, drawing axes from it.
The first community map appeared in the Middle Ages. The famous scientist Ptolemy compiled a table of points where he recorded the latitude and longitude of each of them. The Arab astronomer Abul-Gassan supplemented and corrected this map - and it became the first serious ancestor of modern times, bringing the data of those times to real ones.
Today, the map of the Mediterranean Sea accurately and reliably displays all the data and coordinates. This was made possible thanks to the development of technology and the advent of satellites that transmit photos from space. On modern maps, not only borders are noted, but also reliefs, movements of currents and even the temperature of the water in the Mediterranean Sea.
Mediterranean countries
The Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of 22 two countries on three continents. In Europe, the most famous are the resorts of Spain, France, Italy, Croatia. The famous French Riviera is one of the most expensive resorts in the world; celebrities, aristocrats and politicians flock there every year. There is well-developed yachting, cruise tours along the Mediterranean coast. In Spain, the most popular are Valencia, Barcelona and many small resort towns located between them.
Greece and Italy attract tourists with picturesque cliffs. The water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea on the European coast allows you to provide beach holidays during the long warm summers. Egypt is waiting for tourists on the African coast. In Asia, the leader representing among the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea - Turkey. The water temperature on the Turkish beaches is always stable, and the vacation is notable for its low cost and excellent service.
Average water temperature
Average temperatures vary by region. In the southern regions of the sea, off the coast of Egypt, in winter, the water temperature averages 14-16 degrees Celsius. In the northern parts of the sea, the temperature drop is more noticeable: the average water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy and France in winter is 8-12 degrees Celsius. In the central part, the sea warms up to 15 degrees.
The situation is different in the summer. The average water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea in August ranges from 20-25 degrees. On the east coast, off the coast of Turkey, it can reach 27-30 degrees Celsius.
The Turkish coast is considered one of the warmest and most comfortable. Here is the longest beach season - it begins in May and ends in October. However, the most courageous and seasoned tourists are not afraid to swim in other months.
Mediterranean Sea Water Temperature Map
If you look at a map that shows the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea throughout its basin, it becomes clear that the warmest areas are in the Far East - off the coast of Turkey, and in East Africa - in the coastal waters of Egypt and Libya. The average annual temperature here is 17-18 degrees Celsius.
Coolest off the coast of Italy, in the northern regions of the Mediterranean. There, the average water temperature is only 13-14 degrees.