The Mediterranean Sea has been since antiquity a cradle of civilizations, trade, and seamanship. From the Phoenicians and the Greeks to the Romans and the Arabs, it served as a conduit for the exchange of goods, knowledge, and cultural influences, shaping the world as we know it today. It is no coincidence that it is called the “sea that unites,” as it connects three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Mediterranean Sea covers approximately 2.5 million square kilometers and is surrounded by 22 countries, with a total coastline length exceeding 46,000 kilometers (including islands). More than 150 million people inhabit the coastal zones of the Mediterranean, while its shores host cities with a long history, bustling ports, and unique ecosystems. The Mediterranean coasts constitute a “source” of development and interaction, as they concentrate a wide range of economic activities, such as shipping, tourism, fishing, and energy.
From this perspective, Mediterranean Coast Day, celebrated every year on October 24, serves as a reminder of the importance of this particular sea for the economic, environmental, and cultural prosperity of the peoples surrounding it. This day was established by the United Nations and the European Union, aiming to raise public awareness about the issues facing the Mediterranean Sea and its coasts, such as plastic pollution, the risk of biodiversity loss, overfishing, and the mass urbanization of coastal zones.
The Mediterranean was the cradle of the past, let it also become the example for the future of a balanced coexistence between humans and the sea.
