The Mediterranean Sea is a true gem of Europe. Since ancient times, ports have been built here, bloody sea battles have been fought, ships and new lands have been conquered. The bottom of the sea is littered with the wreckage of sunken ships and their cargo, there are many legends about treasures hidden under the water column. Today the Mediterranean Sea is a center of tourism and recreation. France, Italy, Spain, Turkey are just some of the countries hosting tourists on their Mediterranean coast.
Characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea
The name Mediterranean Sea appeared in antiquity and reflected the idea of the people of that time about the structure of the world. All countries were around this sea - African civilizations reigned in the south, Persia in the east, 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: the Balearic,Ligurian, Adriatic, Aegean and others.
The flora and fauna 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 disappearance of many species of animals and plants.
Mediterranean climate
Mediterranean climate is a separate category and applies to most coastal countries. It is a subtropical climate with warm and long summers characterized by high pressure zones. In summer, air masses with pockets of high pressure prevail over the coast, blocking precipitation. Thanks to this phenomenon, the Mediterranean is so popular - there are almost no cloudy days here during the tourist season.
The water temperature of the Mediterranean Sea now, in February, averages about 15 degrees Celsius. Precipitation falls in winter - in the mountainous areas in the form of snow, on the plains in the form of rain. The main annual rainfall occurs in winter. Interestingly, in the summer, rains may be absent for several months in a row.
Map of the Mediterranean Sea
Since ancient times, explorers and navigators have been trying to create an accurate map of the Mediterranean Sea, which would include all cities and countries, seas and straits. Cartographers used the sea as a reference point for the middle of the Earth, drawing axes from it.
The first community card appeared in the Middle Ages. Known todaythe scientist Ptolemy compiled a table of points, where he recorded the latitude and longitude of each of them. The Arab astronomer Abul-Ghassan supplemented and corrected this map - and it became the first serious ancestor of the modern one, bringing the data of those times closer to real ones.
Today, the map of the Mediterranean Sea displays all data and coordinates as accurately and reliably as possible. This has become possible thanks to the development of technology and the emergence of satellites that transmit photographs from space. On modern maps, not only borders are marked, but also reliefs, current movements and even the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea.
Mediterranean basin 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 Cote d'Azur of France is one of the most expensive resorts in the world; celebrities, aristocrats and politicians flock there every year. Yachting is well developed there, cruise tours along the Mediterranean coast. In Spain, Valencia, Barcelona and the many small resort towns in between are the most popular.
Greece and Italy attract tourists with picturesque cliffs. The temperature of the water in the Mediterranean Sea on the European coast allows you to provide a beach holiday during the long warm summer. Egypt is waiting for tourists on the African coast. In Asia, the leader representing among the resorts of the Mediterraneansea - Turkey. The water temperature on Turkish beaches is always stable, and the rest is characterized by low cost and excellent service.
Average water temperature
Average temperature varies 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 decrease in temperature 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 summer. The average water temperature in the Mediterranean 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 starts in May and ends in October. However, the most daring and seasoned tourists are not afraid to swim in other months.
Mediterranean water temperature map
If you look at a map showing the water 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.
The coolest thing is off the coast of Italy, in the northern regions of the Mediterranean. There is an average temperaturewater is only 13-14 degrees.
