The Mediterranean region comprises 21 countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea or situated within its historical and cultural sphere. These include Southern European nations such as Spain, Italy, Greece, France (including Corsica), Monaco, Malta, and Cyprus; North African states like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt; and the Middle Eastern countries of Turkey, Israel, Palestine, and Syria. Additionally, the UK’s Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus and the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia are included. The designation hinges on geographical proximity, shared historical empires (Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman), linguistic ties ( Romance, Arabic, Turkish), and economic interdependence through shipping, tourism, and agriculture.

Geographical criteria form the primary basis for inclusion. The Mediterranean Sea spans approximately 2,170 kilometers (1,350 miles) from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Suez Canal, with 21 countries directly bordering its coasts. Data from the United Nations geoscheme and the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) confirm this list, emphasizing ecological and geopolitical significance. For instance, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies the region as a biodiversity hotspot, home to unique ecosystems like the Cypriot forests and Egyptian deserts. Culturally, the region’s shared heritage is evident in its language families ( Romance, Semitic, Hellenic), religious traditions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism), and festivals such as Spain’s La Tomatina and Greece’s Panagia Takis. Economically, the Mediterranean Union estimates annual trade volumes exceeding $1.2 trillion, driven by container shipping and tourism, which contributes 15% of regional GDP. Environmental factors, including climate change impacts on fisheries and coastal erosion, further justify cohesive regional policies, as outlined in the 2022 Mediterranean Climate Change Strategy. This multifaceted integration solidifies the region’s identity as a distinct geopolitical and cultural entity.