By: James Buckley

In The Beginning Definition: “The centre of the world.” Was formed in the process of Continental Drift, when Africa crashed into Eurasia. At about 2000 B.C., Egyptians were trading by sea. Phoenicians, opened up the Mediterranean, finding merchant colonies along its entire coastline.

Today Some of the world’s busiest shipping routes are contained in the Mediterranean. It is estimated that approximately 220,000 vessels of more than 100 tonnes cross the Mediterranean each year – about one third of the world’s total merchant shipping. The most popular tourist destination in the world.

Development Tourism is one of the most important sources of income for many Mediterranean countries. Rapid development and the building of infrastructure have been encouraged by governments in Mediterranean countries. The growth of the tourism industry also support small communities in coastal areas and islands by providing alternative sources of income far from urban centres.

Environment It plays an important part in the wider oceans system. Its warm, highly saline waters provide spawning grounds for many species and carry a unique signature of nutrients and plankton. Produces over half our oxygen. Transfers nutrients and energy currents around the world. Creates and distributes weather systems.

Climate Characterized by no freezing temperatures in winter and dry summers. Europe's hottest climate. Occurs on the Western part of the continent. Refers to zones in a range of latitudes between 30 and 45 degrees.

Trades Mediterranean Sea covers an approximate area of 970,000 square miles. Ships with Mediterranean goods—oils, wines, pottery—made their way to Brittany and Britain Mariners who sailed the Mediterranean had to learn how to mark latitude. They Could also estimate the latitude by using a polar star Approximately 370 million tonnes of oil are transported annually. Around 250 to 300 oil tankers cross the Sea every day.

Problems The Mediterranean Sea’s resources are under pressure from a variety of threats. Amongst them are overfishing, drift netting, aquaculture, alien species, pollution, drilling for oil and gas, dredging, commercial shipping, climate change, tourism and population increases. A major problem is caused by industry. Which pump thousands of tonnes of toxic waste directly into the sea.

Effects On The Wildlife Mediterranean Sea is a very deep sea, from 3000 to 4000 metres deep Allows several types of whales and other animals to thrive there, such as swordfish, dolphins and tuna, which are sometimes encountered by modern yachts during their cruises Plants have adapted by storing water through thick bark or waxy coverings, and by growing thorns to prevent animals from eating them. The bluefin tuna population is now at a fraction of its natural (unexploited) levels, and the pressure on the stock has intensified in recent years.

Solutions What is needed is a network of fully protected, large-scale marine reserves to cover the range of Mediterranean marine ecosystems – the equivalent to national parks on land. Apply pressure on high officials. Mediterranean countries must work together. Educate others to help protect this ecosystem.

Mediterranean Bibliography Trades Trades and Wildlife e-reserves/the-mediterranean/mediterranean-solutions:Problems and Solutions e-reserves/the-mediterranean/mediterranean-solutions Climate reserves/threats/pollution-and-tourism: Pollution reserves/threats/pollution-and-tourism Wildlife

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