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Facts & Figures

The Mediterranean Sea covers an approximate area of 2.5 million km² (965,000 sq mi).
Its average depth is 1,500m (4,920 ft); the deepest recorded point is 5,267m (about 3.27 miles) in the Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea.
The coastline extends for 46,000km (28,600 miles).
Large islands in the Med include Cyprus, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily and Majorca.
The name Mediterranean is derived from the Latin mediterraneanus, meaning "inland" or "in the middle of the earth".
More than 220 million tourists visit the region each year.
Less than 1% of the Sea is protected.
Almost 85% of its forests have disappeared.

Seas within the Sea

The Med has a number of major internationally recognized seas within it's vast area. These are:

Protecting the Mediterranean Environment

Stretching west to east – from the Iberian Peninsula to the Middle East – and from southern Europe to northern Africa, the Mediterranean boasts diverse cultures, beautiful coastlines and deep blue waters. Once the cradle of civilization, the region today faces a host of environmental problems that threaten its future.

What WWF is doing

Mediterranean cork oak forests host a rich diversity of wildlife and are a vital source of income. Discover more about the amazing cork landscapes.

Environmental crossroads

Connecting 3 continents – Europe, Africa and Asia – the Mediterranean has from ancient times been an important hub for trade and cultural exchange, and today is one of the world's leading tourist destinations.

Millions flock each year to the region's white sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters; waters which are home to whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, valuable fish species and other marine life.

The Mediterranean monk seal and Atlantic bluefin tuna are 2 of the Sea's most imperiled species.

On land, the Mediterranean forest mosaics of cork oaks, cedars, pines and olive trees are home to critically endangered Iberian lynx as well as brown bear, wolf, Barbary deer, and many species of rare birds and plants.

Key Downloads

Beyond Cork - a wealth of resources for people and Nature 6.83 MB pdf
Posidonia Summer 2009 554 KB pdf

Contact

Anne Rémy

Head of Communications WWF MEDPO,
Rome Main +39 06 844 97 424

Email Anne

Latest News & Publications

Leaders Vote Earth in support of good deal in Copenhagen

Posted on 17 November 2009 | 0 comments | Read more

'On the Med tuna trail' – Using satellite technology WWF tracks giant bluefin tuna across the Mediterranean Sea as part of an ongoing project to protec the species.

Atlantic bluefin trade ban now vital as tuna commission fails to take action again

The Atlantic tuna commission today came up with only inadequate or delayed actions to ensure the recovery of the eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna, global conservation organization WWF warned today. Saving the tuna will now depend largely on an international trade ban due to be discussed in March.

Posted on 15 November 2009 | 0 comments | Read more

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Saving the bluefin tuna

Follow the journey of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea.

Atlantic bluefin tuna have been fished in the Mediterranean for centuries. But that may soon come to a sad end.

Bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean are at serious risk of extinction if overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices are not stopped.

WWF supports the sustainable management of fish stocks and wants to see a healthy Mediterranean bluefin fishery in years to come. For that to happen, a fishing ban is needed now for the species to recover and save it from the brink of total collapse.