Viking Cruises

AUT UM N 2020 | VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK 63 In the second part of our series on the world's oceans and seas, we explore the Mediterranean – its history, culture and allure T he Romans called it Mare Magnum, 'Great Sea', the Ancient Greeks, simply Hē álassa, 'e Sea'. Today, the mere mention of the word Mediterranean transports you to a kaleidoscope of colours and flavours, cultures and terrains, diverse yet infused. is is the sea of sunshine, of golden sands and azure waters. e sea that carries you from the vivid hues of Van Gogh's landscapes, lush forests and stone-hewed castles to tiny fishing villages, ancient ports and glamorous resorts. As well as being famed for its history, culture and spectacular natural beauty, the Mediterranean is blessed with a mild and temperate climate, making it a magnet for visitors. Separating Europe from Africa, the Mediterranean Sea is almost completely enclosed by land and, as such, is the largest inland sea in the world, connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the narrow channel of the Strait of Gibraltar. With more than 28,000 miles of coastline, its waters lap the shores of 24 countries and territories, with southern Europe to the north, Africa to south, and the Middle East and Asia to the east. Little wonder, given its geographical position, that this ancient "sea between the lands" is the cradle of Western civilisation. PHOTOS: © ISTOCK Having coastlines on three continents is what makes the Mediterranean so diverse, and also what binds those continents together. As the central crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, a myriad of influences is reflected in its cultures, food, music, art and the shared histories. CULTURAL LEGACY From the prehistoric cave paintings in France to the ruins of ancient Rome, Moorish Spain, classical Greece and the Holy Land, the Mediterranean boasts a wealth of ancient monuments. e sea was an important trade route for merchants and travellers, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between peoples of the region. anks to a shared climate, geology and access to the sea, the culture and history of many Mediterranean countries are in some ways intertwined. Two of the most notable Mediterranean civilisations in classical antiquity were the Greek city states and Phoenicians, both of whom extensively colonised the coastlines of the Mediterranean. Later, when Augustus founded the Roman Empire, the Romans completely controlled the Mediterranean and virtually all its coastal regions from Gibraltar to the Levant for 400 years. ey even changed its name to Mare Nostrum 'Our Sea'. TRANSPORTATION AND TRADE "e inland sea" of early civilisations, trade and communication flourished and declined with the fortunes of the people and the places along its shores. After the Middle Ages, Constantinople (Istanbul), Barcelona and the Italian states assumed the role of trade intermediaries between the Orient and north western Europe. In the 15th century, however, the rise of the Ottoman Turks was followed by a rule of oppression, and piracy made it dangerous to sail the sea. e fate of those Mediterranean trading posts was sealed when the route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa was discovered, offering a safer and easier sea journey. For more than 250 years, the Mediterranean Sea remained a backwater of world ocean trade and traffic. Fortunes changed again in 1869 with the opening of the Suez Canal in Egypt, a manmade waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea. No longer having to circumnavigate the African The MEDITERRANEAN SEA Opposite: The dramatic location of villages on the Amalfi Coast, in Italy, overlooking the Mediterranean Explore the history, culture and allure of the Mediterranean viking.com 25

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