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The '''Mediterranean Sea''' (35 degrees north, 18 degrees east) is a [[sea]] of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by [[Europe]], on the south by [[Africa]], and on the east by [[Asia]]. It covers an approximate area of [[1 E12 m²|2.5 million]] [[square kilometre|km²]] (965,000 [[square mile|sq mi]]), but its connection to the Atlantic (the [[Strait of Gibraltar]]) is only 14 km (9 mi) wide. In [[oceanography]], it is sometimes called ''the Eurafrican Mediterranean Sea'' or ''the European Mediterranean Sea'', to distinguish it from mediterranean seas elsewhere.  

The '''Mediterranean Sea''' (35 degrees north, 18 degrees east) is a [[sea]] of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by [[Europe]], on the south by [[Africa]], and on the east by [[Asia]]. It covers an approximate area of [[1 E12 m²|2.5 million]] [[square kilometre|km²]] (965,000 [[square mile|sq mi]]), but its connection to the Atlantic (the [[Strait of Gibraltar]]) is only 14 km (9 mi) wide. In [[oceanography]], it is sometimes called ''the Eurafrican Mediterranean Sea'' or ''the European Mediterranean Sea'', to distinguish it from mediterranean seas elsewhere.  

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The Mediterranean Sea has been known by a number of alternative names throughout human history. It was, for example, commonly called ''[[Mare Nostrum]]'' (Latin, ''Our Sea''), and occasionally ''Mare Internum'' by the Romans. ([[Sallust]], ''Jug.'' 17). The [[Greeks]] name it ''Mesogeios'' (Μεσόγειος), meaning inland, interior  

The Mediterranean Sea has been known by a number of alternative names throughout human history. It was, for example, commonly called ''[[Mare Nostrum]]'' (Latin, ''Our Sea''), and occasionally ''Mare Internum'' by the Romans. ([[Sallust]], ''Jug.'' 17). The [[Greeks]] name it ''Mesogeios'' (Μεσόγειος), meaning inland, interior  

(μεσο, 'middle' + γαιος, 'land, earth') [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2366422 entry μεσόγαιος] at [[Liddell & Scott]]</ref>. In the [[Old Testament]], on the west coast of the [[Holy Land]], and therefore behind a person facing the east, it is called the "Hinder Sea", sometimes translated as "Western Sea", ([[Deuteronomy|Deut.]] xi. 24; [[Book of Joel|Joel]], ii. 20), and also the "Sea of the Philistines" ([[Exodus|Exod.]] xxii. 81), because that people occupied a large portion of its shores near the [[Israelites]]. Mostly, however, it was the "Great Sea" ([[Book of Numbers|Num.]] xxxiv. 6, 7; [[Book of Joshua|Josh.]] i. 4, ix. 1, xv. 47; [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezek.]] xlvii. 10, 15, 20), or simply "The Sea" ([[1 Kings]], v. 9; ''comp.'' [[1 Macc.]] xiv. 34. xv. 11). In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], it is called ''HaYam HaTikhon'' (הַיָּם הַתִּיכוֹן), "the middle sea", a literal adaptation of the German equivalent ''Mittelmeer''. In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], it is ''Akdeniz'', "the white sea". In Arabic, it is ''Al-Baħr Al-Abyad Al-Muttawasit'' (البحر الأبيض المتوسط), "the middle white sea".

(μεσο, 'middle' + γαιος, 'land, earth') [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2366422 entry μεσόγαιος] at [[Liddell & Scott]]</ref>. In the [[Old Testament]], on the west coast of the [[Holy Land]], and therefore behind a person facing the east, it is called the "Hinder Sea", sometimes translated as "Western Sea", ([[Deuteronomy|Deut.]] xi. 24; [[Book of Joel|Joel]], ii. 20), and also the "Sea of the Philistines" ([[Exodus|Exod.]] xxii. 81), because that people occupied a large portion of its shores near the [[Israelites]]. Mostly, however, it was the "Great Sea" ([[Book of Numbers|Num.]] xxxiv. 6, 7; [[Book of Joshua|Josh.]] i. 4, ix. 1, xv. 47; [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezek.]] xlvii. 10, 15, 20), or simply "The Sea" ([[1 Kings]], v. 9; ''comp.'' [[1 Macc.]] xiv. 34. xv. 11). In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], it is called ''HaYam HaTikhon'' (הַיָּם הַתִּיכוֹן), "the middle sea", a literal adaptation of the German equivalent ''Mittelmeer''. In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], it is ''Akdeniz'', "the white sea". In Arabic, it is ''Al-Baħr Al-Abyad Al-Muttawasit'' (البحر الأبيض المتوسط), "the middle white sea".

==History==

==History==

Being nearly landlocked affects the Mediterranean Sea's properties; for instance, [[tide]]s are very limited as a result of the narrow connection with the Atlantic [[ocean]]. The Mediterranean is characterized and immediately recognized by its imposing deep blue color, especially around the Greek islands.

Being nearly landlocked affects the Mediterranean Sea's properties; for instance, [[tide]]s are very limited as a result of the narrow connection with the Atlantic [[ocean]]. The Mediterranean is characterized and immediately recognized by its imposing deep blue color, especially around the Greek islands.

[[Evaporation]] greatly exceeds [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] and river runoff in the Mediterranean, a fact that is central to the water circulation within the basin. Pinet, Paul R. (1996) Invitation to Oceanography, St Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., ISBN (3rd ed.), p.202 Evaporation is especially high in its eastern half, causing the water level to decrease and [[salinity]] to increase eastward. Pinet, p. 206 This [[pressure gradient]] pushes relatively cool, low-salinity water from the Atlantic across the basin; it warms and becomes saltier as it travels east, then sinks in the region of the [[Levant]] and circulates westward, to spill over the Strait of Gibraltar. Pinet, pp. 206–7 Thus, seawater flow is eastward in the Strait's surface waters, and westward below; once in the open ocean, this chemically-distinct "Mediterranean Intermediate Water" can persist thousands of kilometers away from its source.<ref>Pinet, p. 207

[[Evaporation]] greatly exceeds [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] and river runoff in the Mediterranean, a fact that is central to the water circulation within the basin. Pinet, Paul R. (1996) Invitation to Oceanography, St Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., ISBN (3rd ed.), p.202 Evaporation is especially high in its eastern half, causing the water level to decrease and [[salinity]] to increase eastward. Pinet, p. 206 This [[pressure gradient]] pushes relatively cool, low-salinity water from the Atlantic across the basin; it warms and becomes saltier as it travels east, then sinks in the region of the [[Levant]] and circulates westward, to spill over the Strait of Gibraltar. Pinet, pp. 206–7 Thus, seawater flow is eastward in the Strait's surface waters, and westward below; once in the open ocean, this chemically-distinct "Mediterranean Intermediate Water" can persist thousands of kilometers away from its source.<ref>Pinet, p. 207

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Pollution in this region has been extremely high in the past couple years. In just one year, 1,000,000 tons of sewage has been dumped directly into the Mediterranean Sea.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Also, many marine species, such as the [[Mediterranean Monk Seal]], have been almost wiped out because of the pollution there. The Monk Seal has been placed as one of the top ten [[endangered species]] in the world.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}

Pollution in this region has been extremely high in the past couple years. In just one year, 1,000,000 tons of sewage has been dumped directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Also, many marine species, such as the [[Mediterranean Monk Seal]], have been almost wiped out because of the pollution there. The Monk Seal has been placed as one of the top ten [[endangered species]] in the world.

[[Global warming]] could trigger [[hurricane]]s over the Mediterranean sea. [http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKL1666597920070716]

[[Global warming]] could trigger [[hurricane]]s over the Mediterranean sea. [https://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKL1666597920070716]

==See also==

==See also==

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.greenpeace.org/lebanon/en Greenpeace campaign "Defending Our Mediterranean":Threats, Solutions and Photo Petition]

*[https://www.greenpeace.org/lebanon/en Greenpeace campaign "Defending Our Mediterranean":Threats, Solutions and Photo Petition]

*[http://www.planbleu.org/indexUK.html Planblue - Environment and Development in the Mediterranean Region]

*[https://www.planbleu.org/indexUK.html Planblue - Environment and Development in the Mediterranean Region]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: The Classics]]

[[Category: The Classics]]