My friends and I live on 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, Bubble Buddies!

The Med: small, deep, and legendary.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to 22 countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, and many more! 

The Mediterranean is like a giant bucket 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 more islands than any other Mediterranean country, 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 more than 5 million years ago when the Atlantic breached the Strait of Gibraltar, flooding the basin and creating a huge body of water.

  Before that, scientists believe the Mediterranean Sea 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 in Greece, 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! 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!

A Sea Full of Life!

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, because it has a super special variety of plants and animals.

Even though the Mediterranean covers less than 1% of ocean space, it holds nearly one-fifth of all known sea creatures!! That’s like having a giant jar of jellybeans, where 25 to 30 percent of the flavours 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.

Meet the Marine Creatures!:

• Colourful Crew: The Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the most colourful 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. No wonder 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 scorpion fish. 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 kilometres per hour (about 46 miles per hour)! That’s superfast 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 Sea of Civilisations

The Mediterranean Sea has been a vital link between different cultures for thousands of years. Ancient civilisations 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', Our Sea in Latin, 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 holidays. In fact, the Mediterranean region is the world’s most popular tourist destination, with more than a third of the world’s holidaymakers travelling there.
• Historical Significance: The Mediterranean Sea has witnessed countless historical events, from ancient sea battles to modern-day migrations.

The Sea in Trouble

The Mediterranean might look perfect on a postcard, but it’s one of the most endangered seas on Earth. 

• Pollution from cities and industries is harming the sea. Moreover, the Mediterranean Sea may look calm and blue, but it's one of the busiest seas in the world!
  Every day, thousands of vessels cross its waters. This heavy traffic pollutes the water, disturbs marine animals, and increases the risk of oil spills and accidents.
  Sea creatures like dolphins and turtles can get hurt or lost because of the noise and movement.
  
  
• Overfishing is one of the biggest problem:more than half of the fish in the sea have been caught too fast, before they had time to grow up and have babies! This is called overfishing. 
  If we don’t give the fish a chance to rest and grow, there won’t be enough left for anyone; not for people, and not for the other sea animals that need them to survive.
  
  
• Climate Change is making the Mediterranean Sea hotter. That’s making life tricky for the animals and the plants that live there. Some fish don’t like warm water, and may need to move to cooler waters.
  Also, when the sea gets warmer, it starts to rise like water in a bathtub! Scientists think that by the year 2100, the Mediterranean Sea could rise by as little as 3 cm or as much as 61 cm! That’s almost as tall as a school desk! 
  If the sea keeps rising, it could flood beaches and coastal towns. 
  
  
• Invasive Species: Some animals and plants that don’t normally live in the Mediterranean Sea are starting to move in, they are like underwater “newcomers” from faraway places. 
  They might arrive by accident, like when ships bring tiny creatures in their water tanks. But once they're in the sea, these new species can cause trouble! They sometimes eat too much food, take up too much space, or scare away the animals that already live there.
  This can mess up the balance of the ocean, just like someone jumping into a game and not playing by the rules.
  
  
• Tourism:  As I said before, the Mediterranean is one of the most popular tourist spots in the world, but too many visitors can sometimes hurt nature.
  Some beautiful beaches have been damaged by too much building, waste and traffic.

 

How can you Help the Mediterranean?

Use less plastic: Say no to straws and plastic bags.
Learn and talk: Share what you know about the sea with your class or family.
Be a thoughtful tourist: Respect nature when you travel.
Eat like a local: Try Mediterranean foods that are healthy for you and the planet!

Did You Know the Mediterranean Can Be Dangerous, Too?

The Mediterranean Sea is beautiful, but sometimes it’s also part of a very sad story. Many people from places like Africa and the Middle East travel across it, hoping to find a safer and better life. But their journey can be very dangerous. They often ride in small, crowded boats that aren’t strong enough for big waves or storms. That’s why it’s important to learn, care, and help however we can.

Here Are Some Activities For You!

🌟 Draw the happy sea: Draw the Mediterranean Sea with happy fish, full of colours, just a few boats and no pollution, add some of the fish you saw above. Add a Pledge: make a promise to the Mediterranean! What’s one thing you’ll do to help?! Share with your friends!

🌟 Animal Research: Learn more about the amazing creatures that live in the Mediterranean Sea. You can research dolphins, whales, colourful fish, like groupers and damselfish, and the endangered monk seal. 

🌟 Sophia’s Story Stones: Grab some small stones or paper cards and some markers! You can play with your friends or family. On each stone or card, draw or write words or symbols of things you saw or read about in this article. Think of things like a fish, a boat, a wave, a turtle, a storm, an island, algae, or anything else that sparked your imagination! Once you have your special story pieces, everyone picks 3 to 5 stones or cards without looking. Now, use those chosen items to create your very own amazing story about the ocean! For example, you might pick a turtle, a storm, and an island, and your story could start: “One day, a brave turtle got lost in a big storm near a secret coral island…” Let your imagination splash wild!

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

That's all for now, my lovely Bubble Buddies!
Sophia the Seahorse