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Facts & Figures

  • The Mediterranean Sea covers an approximate area of 2.5 million km2 (965,000 sq mi).
  • Its average depth is 1,500m (4,920 ft); the deepest recorded point is 5,267m (about 3.27 miles) in the Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea.
  • The coastline extends for 46,000km (28,600 miles).
  • Large islands in the Med include Cyprus, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily and Majorca.
  • The name Mediterranean is derived from the Latin mediterraneanus, meaning "inland" or "in the middle of the earth".
  • More than 220 million tourists visit the region each year.
  • Less than 1% of the Sea is protected.
  • Almost 85% of its forests have disappeared.

Seas within the Sea

The Med has a number of major internationally recognized seas within it's vast area. These are:

Protecting the Mediterranean Environment

Vote Earth!

Stretching west to east – from the Iberian Peninsula to the Middle East – and from southern Europe to northern Africa,  the Mediterranean boasts diverse cultures, beautiful coastlines and deep blue waters. Once the cradle of civilization, the region today faces a host of environmental problems that threaten its future.
Bisevo, Dalmatian islands, Croatia

What WWF is doing

Environmental crossroads

Connecting 3 continents – Europe, Africa and Asia – the Mediterranean has from ancient times been an important hub for trade and cultural exchange, and today is one of the world's leading tourist destinations.

Millions flock each year to the region's white sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters; waters which are home to whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, valuable fish species and other marine life.

The Mediterranean monk seal and Atlantic bluefin tuna are 2 of the Sea's most imperiled species.

On land, the Mediterranean forest mosaics of cork oaks, cedars, pines and olive trees are home to critically endangered Iberian lynx as well as brown bear, wolf, Barbary deer, and many species of rare birds and plants.

Key Releases

Key Downloads

Latest News & Publications

Blue fin tuna

CITES can help save bluefin tuna, stem wildlife poaching crisis

Governments meeting March 13 for the largest wildlife trade convention will have a unique opportunity to help preserve the world’s oceans and simultaneously stem a worldwide poaching crisis.

Posted on 08 March 2010 | 2 comments | Read more

Bluefin tuna stock in the Mediterranean is threatened by overfishing and illegal fishing.

WWF welcomes US backing for Atlantic bluefin tuna international trade ban

WWF welcomes today’s announcement that the United States government will vote for a ban on international commercial trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna during a meeting of the largest wildlife trade convention later this month.

Posted on 03 March 2010 | 3 comments | Read more

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Saving the bluefin tuna

Follow the journey of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea.

Atlantic bluefin tuna have been fished in the Mediterranean for centuries. But that may soon come to a sad end.

Bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean are at serious risk of extinction if overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices are not stopped.

WWF supports the sustainable management of fish stocks and wants to see a healthy Mediterranean bluefin fishery in years to come. For that to happen, a fishing ban is needed now for the species to recover and save it from the brink of total collapse.
Cork oak tree, Spain.
Mediterranean cork oak forests host a rich diversity of wildlife and are a vital source of income. Discover more about the amazing cork landscapes. 

Protecting the Med

The Mediterranean's fragile environment constantly under threat unsustainable development, severe water shortages, forest fires, overfishing, marine pollution and the list goes on.

The region is also expected to be greatly impacted by climate change.

Through numerous projects, WWF is working with a host of partners to conserve and sustainably manage the Mediterranean's forest, freshwater and marine environments.

Establishing protected areas on land and at sea, and promoting sustainable tourism and fisheries, are among the priorities.

Contact

Anne Rémy

Head of Communications WWF MEDPO,
Rome Main +39 06 844 97 424

Where is the Mediterranean region?

The Mediterranean region is highlighted below in green.


View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map

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