Mediterranean sea map in Russian. Mediterranean Sea. Holidays in Turkey

Mediterranean Sea surrounded on all sides by land. One glance at the map is enough to agree with such a judgment. This was also known ancient Greek scientists.

• Countries and islands
• Countries
• Islands
• Eastern Mediterranean

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Features of geographical location and climate

mediterranean sea named for a reason, from all sides it touches with continents.

Nowhere else in the world has one been found large indoor pool, which is connected to the ocean only by a tiny, for such a scale, jumper - Strait of Gibraltar.

Sea in your own way geographic location located between: Asia, Europe, Africa.

Total area - 2,500 square kilometers. Max Depth is 5 121 meters.

It is connected by canals and straits with black, red And Seas of Marmara.

Concerning bottom topography, then he has all typical for the sea peculiarities:

Part Mediterranean Sea includes inland seas:

• Aegean;
• Alboran;
• Adriatic;

If you are going to relax on the Adriatic Sea, find out detailed information about his resorts from this article

• 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.

In summer observed here dry fog and not a large number of precipitation.

Tourists come en masse to these places closer to the middle of summer. By July the reservoir warms up +27 degrees.

Countries and islands

to the mediterranean includes vast territories of countries and islands. We give examples of some of them below.

Countries

• Türkiye. There are resorts that are very fond of Russian tourists. Most of the attendants are talking 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 major Turkish cities – Mersin, Istanbul, Antalya And Izmir.
• Italy. It is located in the western Mediterranean. People come here to eat delicious pizza And spaghetti and also enjoy warm sun. resort towns considered Rome, Sicily And Milan.

Italy - beautiful place for recreation not only in summer but also in winter. Read about winter resorts this country here

• Spain. Ibiza, Barcelona And Majorca- these are exactly the settlements that travelers come to who want to have fun and have a good time. Especially it concerns youth loving noisy parties.
• Croatia. A country attractive for tourists, first of all, rapidly gaining momentum yachting. To do this, the state allocates multi-million investment.
• Montenegro. Especially worth a 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 natives called him by inland sea , since all its shores were conquered by them.

• Morocco. Here intersect European And Islamic traditions and cultures. This fact attracts tourists. According to statistics, people also come here to see cultural attractions. Particularly popular Casablanca.
• Tunisia. ancient museums, mysterious artifacts, monuments architectures that are memorable markets- on local resorts which only does not occur miracles.

Islands

Also in the Mediterranean a bunch of big and small islands interesting for travelers. Among them stand out:

• Djerba. Located in the north Africa. Translated from ancient Arabic as "wheat city". The island is mentioned in the famous "Odyssey" Homer. pink flamingos , ancient synagogue, fireballs, local delicious rice- this is simply not to be missed if you find yourself on Djerba.
• Sardinia. Located next to Dagger And Sicily. Archaeologists constantly find various tombs And ziggurats. These are the main attractions of the island.
• Vulcano. Tourists come here to see the numerous volcanic craters.

Scientists have found that because of the catastrophic floods, which occurred 5.3 million years ago, just filling has occurred Mediterranean Sea. For two years such a large water basin was formed!

Eastern Mediterranean

Most often to Eastern Mediterranean include the coasts of Greece, Italy and Turkey, this opinion is wrong. If we approach this issue in terms of geography and look at the map, it turns out that the Eastern Mediterranean includes:

Decided to relax in Cyprus? Find out what others think of the island's hotels in this article.

Pros and cons of holidays in the Mediterranean

On the Mediterranean ideal holiday in september. At this time already the heat subsides while the water stays warm. An additional plus is that the reservoir contains a large amount useful salts And No dangerous poisonous plants And animals.

Can be viewed attractions absolutely different countries the world and get to know them culture. After all, the Mediterranean Sea washes the shores of a good half continents of the world.

In the resorts of the Mediterranean is very developed resort medical infrastructure. Therefore, people suffering diseases of various origins can easily find a place for recreation and recreation.

There are no cons. Unless, of course, the scorching summer sun is not considered a disadvantage.

Mediterranean Sea- Mediterranean, intercontinental sea of ​​​​the Atlantic Ocean, connected to it in the west by the Strait of Gibraltar.

The seas of the Mediterranean basin wash the shores of the states: Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Algeria, Morocco.

In the northeast, through the Dardanelles, it connects with the Sea of ​​Marmara and further through the Bosphorus - with the Black Sea, in the southeast - with the Suez Canal - with the Red Sea.

The area is 2500 thousand sq. km.

The average depth is 1541 m, the maximum depth is 5121 m.

The most significant bays: Valencia, Lyon, Genoa, Taranto, Sidra (B. Sirte), Gabes (M. Sirte).

The largest islands: Balearic, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Cyprus.

The large rivers Ebro, Rhone, Tiber, Po, Nile, etc. flow into the Mediterranean Sea; their total annual flow is approx. 430 cubic km.

Vegetation and animal world The Mediterranean Sea is distinguished by a relatively weak quantitative development of phyto- and zooplankton, which entails the paucity of larger animals that feed on them, including fish. The amount of phytoplankton in the surface horizons is only 8-10 mg / m3, at a depth of 1000-2000 m it is 10-20 times less. Algae are very diverse (peridine and diatoms predominate).

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high species diversity, but the number of representatives of the sep. species are small. There are dolphins, one species of seals (white-bellied seal); sea ​​turtle. 550 species of fish (sharks, mackerels, herrings, anchovies, mullets, dolphins, tunas, bonitos, horse mackerels, etc.). About 70 species of endemic fish, including stingrays, anchovy species, gobies, sea. blenny, wrasse and needlefish. From edible shellfish highest value have oyster, Mediterranean-Black Sea mussel, sea date. Of the invertebrates, octopuses, squids, sepia, crabs, spiny lobsters are common; numerous species of jellyfish, siphonophore; sponges and red coral live in some areas, especially in the Aegean.

Fishing in the Mediterranean Sea is of secondary importance compared to other basins of the Atlantic Ocean. The industrialization of the coast, the growth of cities, the development of recreational areas lead to intense pollution of the coastal strip.

The resorts of the Cote d'Azur (Riviera) in France and Italy, the resorts of the Levantine coast and Balearic Islands in Spain, etc.

Photos of the Mediterranean Sea:

Menton, France

Mediterranean Sea surrounded on all sides by land. One glance at the map is enough to agree with such a judgment. This was also known ancient Greek scientists.

Features of geographical location and climate

mediterranean sea named for a reason, from all sides it touches with continents.

Nowhere else in the world has one been found large indoor pool, which is connected to the ocean only by a tiny, for such a scale, jumper - Strait of Gibraltar.

Sea in your own way geographic location located between: Asia, , Africa.

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

It is connected by channels and straits with, red And Seas of Marmara.

Concerning bottom topography, then he has all typical for the sea peculiarities:

1. continental slope carved by canyons;
2. shelf narrow.

Part Mediterranean Sea includes 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.

In summer observed here dry fog and a small amount precipitation.

Tourists come en masse to these places closer to the middle of summer. By July the reservoir warms up +27 degrees.

Countries and islands

to the mediterranean includes vast territories of countries and islands. We give examples of some of them below.

Countries

• . There are resorts that are very fond of Russian tourists. Most of the attendants are talking 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 major Turkish cities - Mersin, Istanbul, Antalya And Izmir.
• Italy. It is located in the western Mediterranean. People come here to eat delicious pizza And spaghetti and also enjoy warm sun. Resort towns are Rome, Sicily And Milan.
• Spain. Ibiza, Barcelona And Majorca- these are exactly the settlements that travelers come to who want to have fun and have a good time. Especially it concerns youth loving noisy parties.
• Croatia. A country attractive for tourists, first of all, rapidly gaining momentum yachting. To do this, the state allocates multi-million investment.
• Montenegro. Especially worth a 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 natives called him by inland sea, since all its shores were conquered by them.

• . Here intersect European And Islamic traditions and cultures. This fact attracts tourists. According to statistics, people also come here to see cultural attractions. Particularly popular Casablanca.
• Tunisia. ancient museums, mysterious artifacts, monuments architectures that are memorable markets- at local resorts which are not found miracles.

Islands

Kara is clickable, click on it to enlarge.

Also exists a bunch of large and small Mediterranean islands interesting for travelers. Among them stand out:

• Djerba. Located in the north Africa. Translated from ancient Arabic as "wheat city". The island is mentioned in the famous "Odyssey" Homer. pink flamingos, ancient synagogue, fireballs, local delicious rice- this is simply not to be missed if you find yourself on Djerba.
• Sardinia. Located next to Dagger And Sicily. Archaeologists constantly find various tombs And ziggurats. These are the main attractions of the island.
• Vulcano. Tourists come here to see the numerous volcanic craters.

Scientists have found that because of the catastrophic floods, which occurred 5.3 million years ago, just filling has occurred Mediterranean Sea. For two years such a large water basin was formed! Useful salts and No dangerous poisonous plants And animals.

Can be viewed attractions 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.

In the resorts of the Mediterranean is very developed resort medical infrastructure. Therefore, people suffering diseases of various origins can easily find a place for recreation and recreation.

There are no cons. Unless, of course, the scorching summer sun is not considered a disadvantage.

Mediterranean Sea

The Inland Mediterranean Sea is located between 30 and 45°N. and 5.3 and 36° E

It is deeply incised into the land and is one of the most isolated large marine basins of the World Ocean. In the west, the sea communicates with Atlantic Ocean through the narrow (15 km wide) and relatively shallow Strait of Gibraltar (depths on the threshold to the west of the strait are about 300 m); in the northeast - with the Black Sea through the even shallower straits of the Bosporus (threshold depth less than 40 m) and the Dardanelles (threshold depth about 50 m), separated by the Sea of ​​Marmara. The transport connection of the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea is carried out through the Suez Canal, although this connection has practically no effect on the processes occurring in the sea.

At the entrance to the Suez Canal

The area of ​​the Mediterranean Sea is 2,505 thousand km 2, the volume is 3,603 thousand km 3, average depth- 1438 m, maximum depth - 5121 m.

The complex outlines of the coastline, a large number of peninsulas and islands of various sizes (among which the largest are Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, Corsica and Crete), as well as a highly dissected bottom relief, determine the subdivision of the Mediterranean Sea into several basins, seas and bays.

In the Venetian lagoon

Apennine Peninsula and about. Sicily divides the sea into two basins. The Tyrrhenian Sea is distinguished in the western basin, and in a number of works also the Alboran Sea, the Balearic (Iberian) Sea, the Gulf of Lion, the Ligurian Sea and the Algerian-Provencal basin. Shallow Tunisian (Sicilian) Strait and narrow Strait of Messina the western basin of the sea is connected with the eastern one, which in turn is subdivided into the central and eastern proper. In the northern part of the central basin is the Adriatic Sea, which communicates through the Strait of Otranto with the Ionian Sea, which occupies central part pool. In its southern part there are the bays of Greater and Lesser Sirte. The Strait of Crete and Africa connects the central basin of the sea with the eastern one, often called the Levant Sea. In the northern part of the eastern basin lies the island-rich Aegean Sea.

Turkish port of Alanya in the Mediterranean

Relief north coast the seas are complex and varied. The shores of the Iberian Peninsula are high, abrasive, and the massifs of the Andalusian and Iberian mountains approach the sea. Along the Gulf of Lion, west of the Rhone delta, there are swampy lowlands with numerous lagoons. To the east of the Rhone, the spurs of the Alps approach the sea, forming coasts with rocky capes and small bays. West Coast Apennine Peninsula along Tyrrhenian Sea quite strongly indented, steep and steep banks alternate with low ones, there are flat alluvial lowlands composed of river sediments. The eastern shores of the Apennine Peninsula are more even, in the north they are marshy, low, with a large number of lagoons, in the south they are high and mountainous.

Strong indentation and complexity of the relief are characteristic of the entire coast of the Balkan Peninsula. High, steep shores with small bays predominate; a huge number of small islands are scattered along the coast in the sea. The coast of the Asia Minor Peninsula from the Aegean Sea has the same complex relief, while the southern shores of the peninsula are composed of larger landforms. The entire eastern coast of the sea is flat, without capes and bays.

The southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in contrast to the northern one, is much more leveled, especially the smoothed relief in the eastern basin of the sea. In the west, the coasts are high, the Atlas Mountains stretch along the sea. To the east, they gradually decrease and are replaced by low-lying sandy shores, the landscape of which is typical for the huge African deserts located from the south of the sea. Only in the southeastern part of the sea, in the vicinity of the Nile Delta (about 250 km), is the coast composed of sediments from this river and has an alluvial character.

Climate

The Mediterranean Sea is located in the subtropical climate zone, coastal mountain systems prevent the intrusion of cold air masses from the north. In winter, a baric trough stretches over the sea from west to east, around which centers of high pressure are located. In the west there is a spur of the Azores anticyclone, in the north - spurs of the European maximum. Above North Africa pressure is also increased. Along the frontal zone, intensive formation of cyclones occurs.

In summer, a ridge of high atmospheric pressure forms over the Mediterranean Sea, and only over the Levant Sea is there an area of ​​low pressure.

A clearly pronounced seasonal change in wind directions is observed only along the southern shores of the western Mediterranean Sea, where predominantly western winds blow in winter, and eastern winds in summer. Northwest winds prevail over most areas of the sea all year round, and north and northeast winds prevail over the Aegean Sea.

In winter, due to the development of cyclonic activity, a significant frequency of storm winds is observed, in summer the number of storms is insignificant. The average wind speed in winter is 8-9 m/s, in summer about 5 m/s.

Some areas of the sea are characterized by different local winds. In the eastern regions in summer season stable northern winds(ethesia). In the area of ​​the Gulf of Lion, the mistral is often repeated - a cold, dry north or northwest wind of great strength. For east coast Adriatic Sea bora is characteristic - a cold, dry northeast wind, sometimes reaching the strength of a hurricane. The warm southerly wind from the deserts of Africa is known as the sirocco.

It carries a large amount of dust, causes an increase in air temperature to 40-50 ° and a drop in relative humidity to 2-5%. Breezes are developed along most of the Mediterranean coast.

The most low temperature air - in January: it changes from 14-16 ° to south coast seas up to 7-8 ° in the north of the Aegean and Adriatic seas and up to 9-10 ° in the north of the Algerian-Provencal basin.

During the summer season, the highest temperature is observed in August. This month it rises from 22-23° in the north of the Algiers-Provencal basin to 25-27° on the southern coast of the sea, and reaches a maximum (28-30°) at eastern shores seas of the Levant. In most of the Mediterranean Sea, the average annual change in air temperature is relatively small (less than 15 °), which is a sign of a maritime climate.

The amount of precipitation over the sea decreases in the direction from the northwest to the southeast. Near the European coast, annual precipitation exceeds 1000 mm, and in the southeast of the sea it is less than 100 mm. Most of the annual precipitation falls in the autumn-winter months; in summer, rains are very rare and are in the nature of thunderstorms.

Hydrology

River runoff is low on most of the coast. The main rivers flowing into the sea are the Nile, the Rhone and the Po.

In general, due to the predominance of evaporation over precipitation and river runoff, a freshwater deficit is created in the sea. This leads to a decrease in the level, which in turn causes a compensatory inflow of water from the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea. At the same time, in the deep layers of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Bosporus, more saline and denser Mediterranean waters enter the neighboring basins.

Sea level

Seasonal changes in sea level are insignificant, their average annual value for the entire sea is about 10 cm, with a minimum in January and a maximum in November.

The tides in the Mediterranean Sea are predominantly semidiurnal and irregular semidiurnal, only in some areas northeast coast The Adriatic Sea experiences daily tides. The magnitude of the tide in most of the water area does not exceed 1 m. The highest tides are recorded in the area of ​​the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea (from 3.9 to 1.1 m). tidal currents in the open sea they are weakly expressed, but in the Gibraltar, Messina and Tunis straits they reach a significant value.

Non-periodic level fluctuations caused by storm surges (sometimes combined with high tide) can be large. In the Gulf of Lion, with strong southerly winds, the level can rise by 0.5 m; in the Gulf of Genoa, with a stable sirocco, a rise of up to 4 m is possible. parts of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the Adriatic Sea, with southeast winds, the level can rise to 1.8 m (for example, in the Venetian lagoon), and in the bays of the Aegean Sea, with strong southerly winds, the range of surge fluctuations reaches 2 m.

The strongest excitement in the sea develops in autumn and winter, during the period of active cyclonic activity. At this time, the wave height quite often exceeds 6 m, and in severe storms it reaches 7-8 m.

Bottom relief

The relief of the sea bottom has many of the morphological features characteristic of an oceanic basin. The shelf is quite narrow - mostly no wider than 40 km. The continental slope along most of the coast is very steep and is cut by underwater canyons. Most the western basin is occupied by the Balearic abyssal plain with an area of ​​​​about 80 thousand km 2. In the Tyrrhenian Sea there is a central abyssal plain, on which many seamounts stand out. The highest seamount rises to 2850 m above the seabed. The tops of some mountains on the continental slope of Sicily and Calabria rise above the surface of the sea, forming the Aeolian Islands.

The morphology of the bottom of the eastern basin of the sea differs markedly from the morphology of the bottom of the western one. In the eastern basin, vast areas of the bottom are either a complexly dissected median ridge or a series of deep-water depressions. These depressions stretch from the Ionian Islands, south of the islands Crete and Rhodes. In one of these depressions is the greatest depth of the Mediterranean Sea.

currents

The circulation on the surface of the Mediterranean Sea is formed by Atlantic waters entering the sea through the Strait of Gibraltar and moving east along the southern coasts in the form of a meandering North African Current. On its left side, a system of cyclonic gyres is distinguished, on the right - anticyclonic ones. The most stable cyclonic gyres in the western basin of the sea are formed in the Alboran Sea, the Algiers-Provencal basin, the Tyrrhenian Sea; anticyclonic - off the coast of Morocco and Libya.

Through the Strait of Tunis, Atlantic waters enter the central and eastern basins of the sea. Their main stream continues to move along the African coast, and part deviates to the north - to the Ionian and Adriatic, as well as to Aegean Sea, being involved in a complex system of cyclonic gyres. Among them, one should indicate the Ionic, Adriatic, Athos-Chios, Cretan (in the Aegean Sea) and Levantine gyres. To the south of the North African current, anticyclonic gyres are distinguished in the bays of Little and Great Sirte and Crete-African.

In the intermediate layer, Levantine water moves from the eastern basin of the sea to the west, towards the Strait of Gibraltar. However, the transfer of Levantine waters from east to west does not occur in the form of a single intermediate countercurrent, but in a complex way, through a system of numerous circulations. Two-layer, oppositely directed flows of Atlantic and Levantine waters are clearly visible only in the Straits of Gibraltar and Tunis.

The average velocities of the resulting water transfer are low: in the upper layer - up to 15 cm/s, in the intermediate layer - no more than 5 cm/s.

In the deep layers, water slightly moves from the formation centers in the northern regions of the sea to the south, filling the sea basins.

Vertical distribution of salinity (‰) on a longitudinal section through the Strait of Gibraltar (arrows - current directions)

An important role in the formation of the hydrological structure of waters in different basins of the Mediterranean Sea is played by the nature of water exchange in the straits. Thus, the depth of the threshold in the Strait of Gibraltar completely isolates the Mediterranean Sea from the inflow of cold deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic waters cover layers from the surface up to 150-180 m, in which the current velocities are 20-30 cm / s, in the narrowest part of the strait - up to 100 cm / s, and sometimes much higher. Intermediate Mediterranean waters move relatively slowly in the deep part of the strait (10-15 cm/s), but above the threshold their speed increases to 80 cm/s.

The Strait of Tunis is of great importance for the water exchange between the western and eastern parts of the sea, with depths above the rapids no more than 400-500 m. This excludes the exchange of deep waters of the western and central basins of the sea. In the strait zone, in the surface layer, the Atlantic waters are transported to the east, while in the near-bottom layer, the Levantine waters flow through the rapids in a westerly direction. The transfer of Levantine waters prevails in winter-spring time, Atlantic waters - in summer. The two-layer water exchange in the strait is often disturbed, and the system of currents becomes very complex.

The Strait of Otranto, in the form of a narrow trough, connects the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The depth above the threshold is 780 m. Water exchange through the strait has seasonal differences. In winter, at depths greater than 300 m, waters move from the Adriatic Sea; at a depth of 700 m, velocities of 20–30 cm/s are recorded. In summer, in the deep layers of the strait, a current is observed from the Ionian Sea to the north at a speed of 5-10 cm/s. However, in the summer, in the near-bottom layer above the threshold, there may be a current of a southerly direction.

The Bosphorus and Dardanelles, as well as the Sea of ​​Marmara, connect the Mediterranean Sea (through the Aegean) with the Black Sea. The shallow depth in the straits significantly limits the water exchange between the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the hydrological conditions of which are very different. Water exchange in the straits is determined by differences in water density, the difference in the levels of neighboring seas, and synoptic conditions.

The denser highly saline waters of the Aegean Sea in the bottom layers of the Dardanelles penetrate into the basin Sea of ​​Marmara, fill it and then in the bottom layer of the Bosporus enter the Black Sea. Desalinated, much less dense Black Sea waters flow into the Aegean Sea with a surface current. Throughout the straits there is a sharp vertical density stratification of water layers.

The boundary of multidirectional flows rises from north to south from 40 m at the entrance to the Bosporus to 10-20 m at the exit from the Dardanelles. The highest flow rate is black sea ​​water observed at the surface and rapidly decreases with depth. Average velocities are 40-50 cm/s at the entrance to the strait and 150 cm/s at the exit. downstream carries the waters of the Mediterranean Sea at a speed of 10-20 cm / s in the Dardanelles and 100-150 cm / s in the Bosphorus.

The inflow of Black Sea waters into the Mediterranean Sea is approximately two orders of magnitude smaller than the inflow of Atlantic waters. As a result, the waters of the Black Sea affect the hydrological structure only within the Aegean Sea, while the Atlantic waters are present almost everywhere, up to the eastern regions.

Water temperature

In summer, the surface water temperature rises from 19-21° in the northwestern part of the sea to 27° and even higher in the Levant Sea. This character of temperature is associated with an increase in the continentality of the climate with distance from the Atlantic Ocean.

In winter, the general nature of the spatial distribution of temperature is preserved, but its values ​​are much lower. In February, in the northwestern part of the sea and in the north of the Aegean Sea, the temperature is 12-13 °, and northern shores Adriatic, it drops even to 8-10 °. The highest temperature is observed near the southeastern shores (16-17°).

The magnitude of annual fluctuations in water temperature in the surface layer decreases from 13-14° in the north of the Adriatic Sea and 11° in the Aegean Sea to 6-7° in the area of ​​the Strait of Gibraltar.

The thickness of the upper, heated and mixed layer in summer in cyclonic gyres is 15–30 m, and in anticyclonic gyres it increases to 60–80 m. At its lower boundary there is a seasonal thermocline, under which the temperature drops.

During winter cooling, convective mixing actively develops in the sea. In the Algiers-Provencal basin and some other northern regions of the sea, convection extends up to great depths(2000 m and more) and contributes to the formation of deep waters. Favorable conditions for the development of convection also exist in the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Levantine seas, where it covers a layer up to 200 m, sometimes more. In other areas, winter vertical circulation is limited by the upper layer, mainly up to 100 m.

Spatial temperature differences decrease rapidly with depth. Thus, at a horizon of 200 m, its values ​​vary from 13° in the western part of the sea to 15° in the central basin and up to 17° in the Levant Sea. Seasonal temperature changes at this depth are no more than 1°.

Water temperature on a latitudinal section in the Mediterranean Sea in summer

In the layer of 250-500 m, a maximum temperature is observed, associated with the spread of warm and salty Levantine waters. In summer, it manifests itself in most of the sea, with the exception of the eastern basin and the southern part of the Aegean Sea; less pronounced in winter. In this layer, the temperature drops from 14.2° in the Strait of Tunis to 13.1° in the Alboran Sea.

The deep water column is characterized by a very uniform temperature. At a horizon of 1000 m, its values ​​are 12.9-13.9°, in the bottom layer - 12.6-12.7° in the Algiers-Provencal basin and 13.2-13.4° in the Levant Sea. In general, the temperature of the deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high values.

Salinity

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the saltiest in the world's oceans. Its salinity almost everywhere exceeds 36‰, reaching 39.5‰ near the eastern shores. The average salinity is about 38‰. This is due to a significant fresh water deficit.

Salinity on the sea surface generally increases from west to east, but in the northern regions of the sea it is higher than along African coast. This is due to the spread of less saline Atlantic waters along the southern coasts to the east. The difference in salinity between northern and southern regions sea ​​reaches l‰ in the west and decreases to 0.2‰ in the Levant Sea. However, some coastal areas in the north, they are influenced by river runoff (the Gulf of Lion, the northern part of the Adriatic Sea) or freshened Black Sea waters (the northern part of the Aegean Sea) and are characterized by low salinity.

The Levantine Sea and the southeastern Aegean Sea have the highest salinity in summer, due to intense evaporation. In the central basin, where Levantine and Atlantic waters mix, there are large salinity ranges (37.4-38.9‰). The minimum salinity is in the western basin, which is directly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. It varies here from 38.2‰ in the Ligurian Sea to 36.5‰ in the Alboran Sea.

Salinity on a latitudinal section in the Mediterranean Sea in summer. 1 - advection of Atlantic waters; 2 - advection of Levantine waters

In winter, salinity is generally distributed in the same way as in summer. Only in the Levant Sea does it decrease slightly, and in the western and central basins it increases. Value seasonal changes salinity on the surface is about 1‰. As a result of the development of wind and convective mixing in winter, a layer uniform in salinity is formed, the thickness of which varies from region to region.

Almost the entire Mediterranean Sea is characterized by the existence of a salinity maximum, the formation of which is associated with Levantine water. The depth of its occurrence increases from east to west from 200-400 to 700-1000 m. The salinity in the maximum layer gradually decreases in the same direction (from 39-39.2‰ in the eastern basin to 38.4‰ in the Alboran Sea).

In the water column deeper than 1000 m, salinity practically does not change, remaining within the range of 38.4-38.9‰.

There are three main water masses in the Mediterranean Sea: the Atlantic surface water, the Levantine intermediate and the deep waters of the western and eastern basins.

The Atlantic water mass is present in almost all parts of the sea, occupying the upper layer with a thickness of 100–200 m, sometimes up to 250–300 m. thermocline. In winter, the depth of its occurrence increases in the direction from west to east from 0-75 to 10-150 m. .9°. Salinity increases from west to east from 36.5-38.5 to 38.2-39.2‰.

The Levantine intermediate water mass stands out throughout the sea in the 200-700 m layer and is characterized by a salinity maximum. It is formed in the Levant Sea, where intense salinization of the surface layer of water occurs in summer. In the cold season, this layer cools and, in the process of developing winter vertical circulation, sinks to intermediate horizons. From the place of formation, the Levantine water moves to the Strait of Gibraltar towards the surface Atlantic. The speed of movement of the Levantine waters is several times less than that of the Atlantic (about 4-5 cm / s), it takes about three years for their journey to the Strait of Gibraltar.

The core of the intermediate water subsides as it moves westward from 200-300 m in the eastern basin to 500-700 m near Gibraltar. The temperature in the core accordingly decreases from 15-16.6 to 12.5-13.9°, and salinity - from 38.9-39.3 to 38.4-38.7‰.

Deep waters are formed in the northern regions of the Mediterranean Sea due to winter cooling and intensive development of convective mixing, reaching depths of 1500-2500 m in some areas. Such areas include the northern part of the Algerian-Provencal basin, the Adriatic and Aegean seas. Thus, each sea basin has its own source of deep waters. The threshold of the Strait of Tunis divides the Mediterranean Sea into two large deep basins. The temperature of deep and bottom waters of the western basin is in the range of 12.6-12.7 °, salinity - 38.4‰; east of the Tunis Strait, the temperature rises to 13.1-13.3°, reaching 13.4° in the Levant Sea, and the salinity remains very uniform - 38.7‰.

The significantly isolated Adriatic Sea is distinguished by a peculiar hydrological structure. Its shallow northern part is filled with Adriatic surface water, which is the product of mixing the waters of the Ionian Sea with coastal runoff. In summer, the temperature of this water mass is 22-24°, salinity - 32.2-38.4‰. In winter, with intensive cooling and the development of convection, mixing occurs surface water from the transformed Levantine water entering the sea and the formation of the deep Adriatic water mass. Deep water fills the basins of the Adriatic Sea and is characterized by uniform characteristics: the temperature is in the range of 13.5-13.8 °, salinity - 38.6-38.8‰. Through the Strait of Otranto, this water flows into the bottom layers of the central basin of the Mediterranean Sea and participates in the formation of deep waters.

Port Said

Fauna and environmental issues

The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high species diversity, which is associated both with the long geological history of the sea and with environmental conditions. Fish are represented by 550 species, and about 70 of them are endemic: certain types of anchovies, gobies, stingrays, etc. Anchovy, sardine, mackerel, horse mackerel, flying fish, mullet, bonito, sultanka, etc. are found here. However, there are few large concentrations of fish, the number individual species is small. The most massive accumulations of fish are formed in winter, while in spring and summer, during fattening and spawning, they are more scattered. Longfin and common tunas, sharks, rays also live in the Mediterranean Sea. Longfin tuna is constantly here, and common tuna, like many other fish species, migrates in spring and summer to fatten in the Black Sea.

One of the most productive areas of the Mediterranean was its southeastern part, which is under the influence of the runoff of the river. Nile. Every year, a significant amount of biogenic substances, various mineral suspensions, entered the sea with the waters of the river. A sharp reduction in river flow and its intra-annual redistribution after the regulation of the Nile by the construction of the Aswan hydroelectric power station in the early 1960s. worsened the conditions for the existence of all marine organisms and led to a decrease in their numbers. The decrease in the desalination zone, the influx of nutrient salts into the sea led to a decrease in the production of phyto- and zooplankton, the reproduction of fish stocks (mackerel, horse mackerel, sardine, etc.) decreased, and commercial catches dropped sharply. Due to the strengthening economic activity the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea is progressively growing, where the ecological situation has become threatening.

Perhaps the most amazing and unusual sea on the planet is the Mediterranean. It separates three different but at the same time serves as a meeting place for the most diverse cultures, nations and religions. Which countries are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and which of them do tourists like to come to most of all? You will learn about this from our most interesting article.

Mediterranean: history and geography of the region

Which countries are washed by the Mediterranean Sea? Which famous cities located on its banks? Before answering these questions, it is necessary to study the geography and history in detail. this region.

Mediterranea is the name of the Mediterranean in English language. This historical region occupies the entire basin of the sea of ​​the same name - the cradle of European and Arab navigation. Ancient Civilizations and powers arose on its shores - Phoenicia, Ancient Hellas, the Roman Empire. The latter once controlled the entire region. Which countries are washed by the Mediterranean Sea today?

The total area of ​​the region, according to various scientists, ranges from 4 to 5 million square kilometers. On its territory, the states of two continents and three parts of the world are located at once.

Which countries are washed by the Mediterranean Sea? Largest cities

Geographically, culturally and mentally, the Mediterranean is divided into three zones (parts): European, Asian and African.

So, which countries are washed by the Mediterranean Sea with its waters? These include 21 independent states. These are Spain, France, Italy, Monaco, Malta (an island republic, located directly in the water area), Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

TO mediterranean sea the unrecognized countries of Palestine and Northern Cyprus also have an exit, as well as two overseas territories Great Britain (Gibraltar, Akrotiri and Dhekelia).

Which cities are washed by the Mediterranean Sea? On the shores of its water area there are thousands of settlements. Among the largest and most famous cities Mediterranean can be identified as follows: Barcelona, ​​Marseille, Cannes, Genoa, Napoli, Dubrovnik, Athens, Istanbul, Antalya, Alexandria, Tripoli.

Structure of the Mediterranean: islands, archipelagos, seas

Scientists say that the Mediterranean Sea is nothing more than a relic of an ancient reservoir of a planetary scale - the Tethys Ocean. Black, Caspian and Aral Sea are also its remnants.

The modern Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow one. It passes between two high cliffs named in ancient times An interesting fact: in the Mediterranean Sea, hydrographers still distinguish a number of more shallow seas. For example, on the maps of this part of the planet you can find the Adriatic, Aegean, Ionian, Cypriot and others.

What is the Mediterranean Sea? Several large Apennine, Pyrenean, deeply protrude into its water area. In the waters of the Mediterranean there are also a large number of islands, different in size. And almost every one of them is very attractive for tourists. It is worth mentioning a few famous islands Mediterranean: Crete, Malta, Sicily, Rhodes, Ibiza and Mallorca.

Synthesis of cultures and peoples

"The sea in the middle of the Earth" - so they called it in antiquity. This geographical toponym, having slightly transformed, has survived to this day. Indeed, it was here that various peoples, cultures, religions and civilizations met over the centuries. As a result, a unique ethno-cultural situation has formed in the Mediterranean.

Already in the third millennium BC, the so-called Aegean civilization arose here, which consisted of several cultures and was complicated by Sumerian influences. Mixed ethnic groups could also be observed within the state of Carthage. Even later, the synthesis of European and Eastern traditions formed here a powerful state - Byzantium.

Thus, cultural syncretism is more than characteristic of Mediterranean region. It is this fact that makes it extremely popular among tourists from all over the world.

Tourism in the Mediterranean

The countries of the Mediterranean Sea are annually visited by tens of thousands of tourists from different corners our planet. The attractiveness of this region is enhanced by the fact that it is located entirely within the mild subtropical climate.

Of course, the most The best way to know the Mediterranean is a cruise holiday. It allows you to visit several countries and dozens of interesting cities. During such a cruise, the tourist can see firsthand how the monuments are combined with the creations of our time.

In the Mediterranean, tourists most often visit Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia and Croatia.

Holidays in Turkey

Each of the Mediterranean countries can boast of its first-class resorts. And the most famous resort country in this region - it is, of course, Türkiye!

This state today is very successful in the development of its tourism infrastructure. Resting here is both interesting and very comfortable. Moreover, Türkiye is ready to offer holidays for every taste and wallet size.

excellent hotels, wonderful beaches, delicious cuisine and acquaintance with the vibrant local culture - this is what awaits every tourist who decides to visit Turkey. In addition, in a very short time you can see many interesting sights here.

Which cities in Turkey are washed by the Mediterranean Sea? This largest metropolis Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya and Mersin.

Spain and Italy

Spain is located in the western part of the region. This mediterranean country tourists appreciate for the most picturesque landscapes, beautiful nature, sunny first-class resorts and ancient monuments of architecture. No cruise, as a rule, bypasses Mallorca and Ibiza. But true connoisseurs of architecture should definitely visit the city of Barcelona.

Another European Mediterranean state is Italy. The land of sun, pizza and spaghetti attracts a huge number of foreign tourists. Lovers of unity with virgin nature go to Sicily, but connoisseurs of cultural and historical monuments go to Rome. Here is also the world-renowned center of haute couture - the city of Milan.

Balkan Mediterranean countries

Five have access to the Mediterranean Sea at once. And all of them have a huge tourist potential.

the most attractive of Balkan countries for tourists is Croatia. Even 20 years ago it fought for its independence, and today it receives thousands of tourists every year. Vacationers are amazed by the unique purity of sea water in Croatia and the huge number of coastal islands.

Montenegro is also famous for its excellent resorts. In particular, the beach of Ada Bojana, 3.8 kilometers long, boasts the most clean sand throughout the Adriatic.

Gradually gaining popularity among tourists and Albania. This country wins due to its beautiful landscapes and extraordinary coloring. Only in Albania you can taste chic dishes local cuisine in an abandoned concrete bunker of the last century!

African Mediterranean countries

Of course, tourists do not bypass African states this region. Egypt has long gained fame as a resort and tourist country. But even countries such as Libya and Algeria are actively equipping their resorts and cities for potential vacationers.

Increasingly, cruise ships sail to the ports of Morocco. This state, located right at the junction of East and West, Islamic and European cultures, a priori arouses interest among tourists.

Tunisia is another state of the Mediterranean, on the territory of which a large number of historical and architectural monuments, museums with ancient artifacts. And after a busy cultural program the tourist here will also be able to fully relax on one of beautiful beaches. Another feature of Tunisia is its colorful and colorful markets.

Finally...

Now you know how many countries the Mediterranean Sea washes. There are 21 in total. The Mediterranean is a unique and very attractive region for tourists. First of all, they seek to get to Turkey, Italy, Spain, Tunisia and Croatia. Indeed, in these countries there are a lot of attractions, and the infrastructure is in perfect order.