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continent, the newly built steam
ships were put to use, meaning the
waters of the Mediterranean were
once again amongst the busiest in
the world.
THE SEA THAT 'BREATHES'
A continuous inflow of surface
water from the Atlantic Ocean
flows eastward along the north
coast of Africa, and this constant
current forms the circulation of
water and air in the region. It is
most powerful in summer, when
evaporation in the Mediterranean
is at its highest, making the surface
water more salty. e sea has
been metaphorically described as
breathing – inhaling surface water
from the Atlantic and exhaling deep
water in a counter current below.
PRECIOUS RESOURCES
Fishing has always been an
important industry in the
Mediterranean, and a lifeline to
people who live along its shores.
Among the rich diversity of marine
life are the bottom-living fish like
flounder, sole, turbot, whiting, red
mullet. Sardines and anchovies
also feature on many menus, as do
squid and octopus, bluefin tuna,
coastal hake, sole and red mullet.
Eating well is part of everyday
life in the region, and one of its
great pleasures, with each country
boasting its own cuisine.
As well as fishing, sea salt,
produced by evaporation in coastal
pans, has been a part of this sea for
millennia. Since the early 1980s,
exploration and production of oil
and natural gas have increased, with
offshore wells rising from the sea off
Italy, Libya, Egypt and Algeria who
are the region's largest producers.
ough Mediterranean oil and gas
represents only a small amount
of world production, a significant
proportion of the world's oil
refining takes place in the region,
which processes crude oil from
the Persian Gulf countries shipped
through the Suez Canal.
Boasting idyllic coastlines and
cosmopolitan playgrounds, ancient
ruins and medieval walls, rambling,
atmospheric old quarters and crisp
modern architecture, what makes
the Mediterranean so culturally
rich, beautifully scenic and diverse
is what makes it irresistible. Visit
once and you'll be hooked.
Above: A view
of Gibraltar Rock
with the Atlas
Mountains rising
in the distance
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