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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.

The 26 Mediterranean countries are (clockwise):
  • France
  • Monaco
  • Italy
  • San Marino
  • Vatican City
  • Malta
  • Slovenia
  • Croatia
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Montenegro
  • Albania
  • Greece
  • Turkey
  • Cyprus
  • Syria
  • Lebanon
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Egypt
  • Libya
  • Tunisia
  • Algeria and
  • Morocco
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • Andorra

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

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.

What WWF is doing

Cork oak tree, Spain.

© WWF-Canon / Edward PARKER

Mediterranean cork oak forests host a rich diversity of wildlife and are a vital source of income. Discover more about the amazing cork landscapes.

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

Contact

Anne Rémy

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

Latest News & Publications

Waterfall at Altamachi Protected Area, Cochabamba, Bolivia (Pre-Andean Amazon).

Unchecked Climate change will put world at ‘tipping point’, WWF and Allianz report says

The world’s diverse regions and ecosystems are close to reaching temperature thresholds – or “tipping points” – that can unleash devastating environmental, social and economic changes, according to a new report by WWF and Allianz.

Posted on 23 November 2009 | Read more

France and Spain block measures to reduce fish waste

Today’s Council of European Fisheries Ministers are reviewing a technical regulation to address the problem of fish discards (throwing unwanted fish back into the sea to die). This will see the introduction of larger fishing nets, limited fishing seasons and a minimum size for fish caught in the North-East Atlantic, the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat. However it is rumoured that after strong opposition from France and Spain the proposal was rejected.

Posted on 20 November 2009 | 0 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.

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.

Where is the Mediterranean region?

The Mediterranean region is highlighted below in green.


View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map

Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence. RSS/Web Feeds

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