The Bubble Buddies and I live in the Island of Milos, which is in the Aegean Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Let's learn more!

The Mediterranean Sea is huge! It covers a vast area and is home to 22 countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, and many more! It's like a giant bathtub filled with salty water! It has thousands of islands, including large ones like Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Cyprus, Crete, Majorca and many smaller ones too. Greece has the most islands in the Mediterranean, with thousands scattered throughout its waters.

• To the north: It's bordered by Europe.
• To the south: It's bordered by Africa.
• To the east: It's bordered by Asia.
• Connections:
  • The Mediterranean Sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar.
  • It connects to the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Strait.
  • It also connects to the Red Sea through the Suez Canal.

• The Sea was formed around 5.3 million years ago when the Atlantic breached the strait of Gibraltar, flooding the basin and creating a huge body of water. Before that, it's believed the Mediterranean Sea had almost completely dried up! It was cut off from the Atlantic Ocean, and most of the water evaporated, leaving behind a giant, salty desert.
• The deepest part of the Mediterranean Sea is called the Calypso Deep, reaching about 5,267 meters (17,280 feet) below the surface.
• There is also a huge underwater volcano called Marsili!
• The Mediterranean Sea has almost no tides! This means that people have built their homes and cities very close to the water — closer than in other places where the tides go in and out every day. Imagine living right by the waves!

Fascinating Fish of the Mediterranean Sea!

The Mediterranean Sea is not just beautiful; it’s also a treasure trove of life! It’s recognized as one of the first Global Biodiversity Hotspots, which means it has a super special variety of plants and animals. Even though it only covers about 0.8 percent of the world’s ocean area, the Mediterranean is home to an astonishing 18 percent of all known marine species! That’s like having a giant jar of jellybeans, where 25 to 30 percent of the flavors come from nowhere else in the world!

Overall, scientists have recorded between 10,000 and 12,000 marine species living in the Mediterranean Sea. In this vibrant sea, you can find:

• 21 different species of marine mammals
• 750 types of fish
• 5 kinds of sea turtles
• over 360 species of birds that come to breed

It’s a bustling feeding and spawning ground for many fish. For example, the Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna spawns right here in the Mediterranean, making the Balearic waters a super important place for their survival. However, not all the creatures are safe. The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the rarest animals in the world and sadly, it’s one of the most threatened mammals out there.

Here are some fun facts about Mediterranean fish:

• Colorful Crew: The Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the most colorful fish in the world, like the spectacular parrotfish! These fish love to show off their bright hues!
• Schooling Around: Many fish in the Mediterranean, like sardines and anchovies, swim in large groups called schools. This helps them stay safe from predators!
• Tasty Treats: Some fish, like the famous Mediterranean sea bass and grouper, are delicious and popular in many dishes across the region. Chefs love to cook with them!
• Amazing Adaptations: The Mediterranean has unique fish species that can camouflage themselves to blend in with the reefs, like the clever scorpionfish. They can be tricky to spot!
• Big Swimmers: The Mediterranean Sea is home to the impressive bluefin tuna, which can swim at speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour (about 46 miles per hour)! That’s super fast for a fish!

The Mediterranean Sea is not just a body of water; it’s a lively community of amazing creatures that need our help to thrive!

A Cradle of Civilizations

The Mediterranean Sea has been a vital link between different cultures for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans flourished around its shores. Ships sailed across the Mediterranean, carrying goods, people, and ideas between different lands.

• The Romans called the Med 'Mare Nostrum', which means "Our Sea," highlighting its importance to their empire.
• The Persian King Darius I dug a canal to connect the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea!

The Mediterranean Sea is important for many reasons

• Trade: Ships have sailed across the Mediterranean Sea for thousands of years, carrying goods and people between different countries. Today, around 220,000 merchant ships of more than 100 tonnes cross the Mediterranean Sea every year.
• Culture: The Mediterranean Sea has played a big role in the development of many cultures throughout history.
• Tourism: Millions of people visit the Mediterranean Sea every year for vacations. In fact, the Mediterranean region is the world’s most popular tourist destination, with more than a third of the world’s holidaymakers traveling there.
• Historical Significance: The Mediterranean Sea has witnessed countless historical events, from ancient sea battles to modern-day migrations.

However, the Mediterranean Sea faces many challenges

• Pollution: Pollution from cities and industries is harming the sea.
• Overfishing: Fish levels in the Mediterranean Sea are worryingly low, with over 65% of all fish stocks falling outside safe biological limits.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures are affecting the sea and its inhabitants. The year 2100 will see the levels of the Med rise anything from 3cm to 61cm thanks to global warming.
• Invasive Species: New species are entering the Mediterranean Sea, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

We can all help protect the Mediterranean Sea! We can reduce our use of plastic, be careful not to litter in the ocean, and support efforts to keep the sea clean and healthy.

This is just the beginning of our journey to learn about the Mediterranean Sea. There's so much more to discover!

Here are some activities for you to learn more:

• Map Activity: Draw a map of the Mediterranean Sea. You can include the countries that border it, some of the major islands, and even the Strait of Gibraltar!
• Animal Research: Learn more about the amazing creatures that live in the Mediterranean Sea. You can research dolphins, whales, colorful fish, like groupers and damselfish, and the endangered monk seal.
• Historical Dive: Research the history of the Mediterranean Sea, and the amazing civilizations of the past: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Ottoman. There are so many fun and fascinating stories!