Aegean Sea | Mediterranean Sea | Britannica.com Mediterranean Sea Alternative Titles: Aigaíon Pélagos, Ege Deniz Related Topics Battle of Artemisium Aegean Sea, Greek Aigaíon Pélagos, Turkish Ege Deniz , an arm of the Mediterranean Sea , located between the Greek peninsula on the west and Asia Minor on the east. About 380 miles (612 km) long and 186 miles (299 km) wide, it has a total area of some 83,000 square miles (215,000 square km). The Aegean is connected through the straits of the Dardanelles , the Sea of Marmara , and the Bosporus to the Black Sea, while the island of Crete can be taken as marking its boundary on the south. The cradle of two of the great early civilizations, those of Crete and Greece , from which much of modern Western culture is derived, the Aegean Sea is also an important natural feature of the Mediterranean region, possessing several unique characteristics that make it of considerable scientific interest.

The Aegean has an intricate configuration and could well be considered as a bay within the eastern Mediterranean basin, to which it is connected by the straits to the west and east of Crete. It also has a good connection to the Ionian Sea to the west, through the strait lying between the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece and Crete. Virtually throughout the Aegean area, numerous islands large and small emerge from the clear blue waters. These are the mountain peaks of Aegeis, the name given to a now-submerged landmass. At the dawn of European history, these islands facilitated contacts between the people of the area and of three continents. Throughout the entire Aegean shoreline—that is, both the continental shores surrounding the Aegean Sea and those of the islands—bays, ports, and shelter creeks are also abundant. These also facilitated the task of seamen traveling in the Aegean Sea, making longer voyages possible at a time when shipbuilding was in its infancy. For its size, no other maritime area of the Mediterranean has comparable shoreline development. Coastal islands and bays along the Aegean Sea, Greece.

Josef Muench Black Sea The maximum depth of the Aegean is to be found east of Crete, where it reaches 11,627 feet (3,544 metres). The rocks making up the floor of the Aegean are mainly limestone, though often greatly altered by volcanic activity that has convulsed the region in relatively recent geologic times. The richly coloured sediments in the region of the islands of Thera (Santoríni, or Thíra) and Melos (Mílos), in the south Aegean, are particularly interesting. During the 1970s, Thera in particular became a topic of major international scientific importance, analysis of its surrounding sediments having been linked with a possible explanation of the ancient legend of the lost island of Atlantis. North winds prevail in the Aegean Sea, although from the end of September to the end of May, during the mild winter season, these winds alternate with southwesterlies. The tides of the Aegean basin seem to follow the movements of those in the eastern Mediterranean generally.

The tide of Euripus (Evrípos)—a strait lying between continental Greece and the island of Euboea (Évvoia) in the Aegean—is, however, extremely important, because it displays a tidal phenomenon of international significance, to which it has, in fact, lent its name. The euripus phenomenon—characterized by violent and uncertain currents—has been studied since the time of Aristotle , who first provided an interpretation of the term. Aegean currents generally are not smooth, whether considered from the viewpoint of either speed or direction. They are chiefly influenced by blowing winds. Water temperatures in the Aegean are influenced by the cold-water masses of low temperature that flow in from the Black Sea to the northeast. The sea surface temperature in the Aegean ranges from about 60 to 77 °F (16 to 25 °C), varying with location and time of year. Earth’s Seas The Aegean Sea, like the Mediterranean in general, is the most impoverished large body of water known to science. The nutrient content, as indicated by the amount of phosphates and nitrates in the water, is on the whole poor.

The less saline waters coming from the Black Sea have a distinct ameliorative influence, but the role of their fertility in the Mediterranean in general has been little studied. Generally, marine life in the Aegean Sea is very similar to that of the northern area of the western basin of the Mediterranean. In view of its limpidity and as a result of its hot waters, it is not surprising that the Aegean Sea accommodates large quantities of fish at the time of their procreating maturity. Such fish enter the Aegean from other areas, notably from the Black Sea. Britannica Stories Ringling Bros.

Folds Its Tent Geographically, the multitude of Greek islands in the Aegean can be arranged into seven principal groups, from north to south: (1) the Thracian Sea group, including Thásos , Samothrace (Samothráki), and Lemnos; (2) the east Aegean group, including Lesbos (Lésvos), Chios , Ikaría, and Sámos ; (3) the Northern Sporades , including Skyros , a group lying off Thessaly; (4) the Cyclades , including Melos, Páros , Náxos , Thera, and Ándros (Euboea, although technically an island, is considered a part of the Greek mainland and is connected to Boeotia by a bridge at Chalcís); (5) the Saronic Islands west of the Cyclades, lying 5 to 50 miles (8 to 80 km) from Piraeus and including Salamís , Aegina (Aíyina), Póros , Hydra (Ídhra), and Spétsai; (6) the Dodecanese , a group of 13 islands transferred to Greece

 by Italy after World War II , the principal island and capital of which is Rhodes; and (7) Crete and associated small islands.

Geographically, Crete, Kárpathos , and Rhodes form an arc of giant stepping-stones from Greece to the Turkish coast of Asia Minor. Together with Ikaría, Foúrnoi, and Sámos, the Dodecanese are also known as the Southern Sporades . The Greek dhiamerisma (region) of the Aegean Islands encompasses the nomoí (departments) of Cyclados, Dodecanese, Khíos, Lésvos, and Sámos. So numerous are the islands of the Aegean that the name Archipelago was formerly applied to the sea. Structurally the Aegean islands are subject to frequent earthquakes. Although a number of the larger islands, such as Lesbos, Chios, Rhodes, and Crete, have fertile, well-cultivated plains, most of them are rocky and quite barren, with terraces to conserve the sparse soil. Characteristic of this landscape is the Cyclades group, the southernmost island of which, Thera, has a volcano that was last active in 1925. The northern islands are generally more wooded than are the southern, except Rhodes.

Connect with Britannica Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: Greek Islands - Inusualia Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: Greek Islands By Alicia Jimenez and Nano Calvo • 1 year ago 16 Share Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: Greek Islands All trips are exciting because of the uncertainty that awakens the unknown. This was the feeling that we experienced when we started this adventure, travelling for the fist time on a cruise. In this first chapter we will narrate our visit to some of the beautiful and exotic Greek Islands , one of the world’s top travel destinations, with some tips about what to see and how to get around this charming islands. CORFU First destination was the island of Corfu , the second largest of the Ionian islands, in the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The Old Town of Corfu, located in a strategic location, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Getting Around Corfu It is a large but manageable island. The cruise ship port is a couple of kilometers from the capital of the island, bearing the same name, and about 500 meters from the marine station, to which you can easily walk in just over 5 minutes. From there you will find different ways of getting around the island.

Once inside the station, there are two car rental companies, one next to the other, so prices do not differ. This seemed like the best option, given that we were travelling by ourselves and the time that you have in cruise stops is usually quite limited. For 45 € we rented a small car and, map in hand, we began our tour. However, it is also possible to travel by bus or taxi, although the latter may be a bit more expensive. Recommended visits in Corfu You have to establish an itinerary based on the available time, considering that you must be back on the boat about 45 minutes before the departure time to the next destination. We had around 4 hours and a half, so, between the various routes offered this location, we chose visiting the most popular landmarks: Achilleon (where the famous palace of Sisi is located) and Kanoni, from where we enjoyed magnificent views of the Ionian Sea and the charming Vlacherna Monastery, situated on a small island joined to the mainland by a jetty.

Much to our regret, we didn´t have enough time to visit and enjoy some of the best beaches around the island, such as Paleokastritsa, Achavari, Barbati, Arilas, Kerasia or Glyfada. Unfortunately, the limited time just allowed us to briefly cross the center of the capital, where you can find the Venetian Fortresses (during the Second World War, the city was taken by the Italians), the City Hall, the Headquarters of Grimaldi and the palaces of St. Michael and St. George. Sure worth it, but it was not possible to see everything and we had to choose. MYKONOS Together with Santorini, this small island is part of the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea. Its origins and historical events are unclear, appearing in some books as a refuge for pirates, back in the sixteenth century. Simply lovely, if we had to describe it in two words. Undoubtedly, it is a piece of land with charm. Everything is well maintained, from the spotless white of the facades of their houses to the divisions of the cobblestone streets, well-defined by lines in the same pristine white.

It is a joy to wander through its narrow streets, full of light and color, thanks to its doors and balconies, sometimes painted in blue, others in red, and often adorned with lush bougainvillea. The city center is full of small stylish shops, even those of local and unknown brands. Getting Around Mykonos As mentioned above, the island is not very large. The cruise ship does not dock at port, doing so at a certain distance. From there, you approach the island in small boats. The port is just in town, so you can enjoy the visit in a relaxed walk, from the moment you step on shore. If, after walking around, you fancy a dip in one of its beautiful beaches, away from the city, the best option is to rent a motorbike or take the bus. Except in the center of the city, because of its narrow streets, traffic is fluent and easy to follow. Recommended Visits in Mykonos Among the main points of touristic interest we find the City Hall, the Archaeological Museum, the Naval Museum of the Aegean, the Orthodox Church at the harbor, the windmills and Little Venice.

The latter location is especially nice, as it seems like a small replica of the Italian city, where houses are built on the sea. In addition, the area is very exclusive and attractive, full of small elegant restaurants and charming terraces by the sea, where you can enjoy the spectacular and well-known sunset of Mykonos . Since we had about seven hours (it was one of the longer stays) and the temperature was perfect for it, we decided to take a dip in the nearest beach, just behind the famous windmills that you find in most sunset photos taken in Mykonos. You can access it on foot, as it is about 20 minutes from downtown, and the idea of swimming in its clear waters of turquoise color, before having a cold Greek beer accompanied by a serving of fried fish from the area, was just perfect. SANTORINI We ended our stay in the Greek Islands with a visit to Santorini , a fascinating morphological conformation that was formed after a violent volcanic eruption that swept across the Mediterranean, leading to the creation of its peculiar shape. One side of the island is formed by steep cliffs and, on the opposite side, you find a fertile and vast plain.

The whole island and its corners are beautiful, and again, as it happens in Mykonos, the pristine white of the facades, with the addition of bright blue domes of its churches, create an attractive combination of light and colours. Getting Around Santorini This island is larger than the previous one, but not more complicated. The cruise ship docks again at a distance of the harbor, so you get to land in the small boats. The capital, Thira (Fira), is located on top of a cliff, and there are only three ways to get there, from the port: funicular, donkey or walking. The funicular is 5 euros per person, each way, and takes about four minutes to reach the city. Riding a donkey costs the same, although the road is rough and slow, so animal lovers (as in our case) may ask themselves: Should I make a poor donkey carry me if there is more secure, convenient and fast transport available? However, for the most daring, there is always the option of patiently walking up. It´s just 588 steps! After visiting Fira, if there is time, it is advisable to visit the village of Oia.

The bus departs from the central square of Fira, costs € 1.20, runs every ten minutes and takes twenty five to get there. From the same station, you can take other buses to different parts of the island or you can rent a car and choose the route that suits you best. On this occasion, we decided to take the bus. Recommended Visits in Santorini Santorini has diverse and beautiful places to visit. Starting from the capital, Fira, that lacks of major outstanding monuments but has a nice maze of narrow streets, with shops and restaurants, and spectacular views, thanks to its privileged position over the sea. As for Oia, it is a small village located on the northwest tip of the island. It is known as the most elegant version of Fira, especially for its full of modern art galleries, quality craftsmanship and great shopping streets. It is also known for the famous photo with the blue domes of Santorini. Another possibility -probably renouncing to one of the previous options, if you visit on a cruise- is the excursion to Nea kameniei Volcano, guilty of the rugged geographical appearance of the island, and the bathing in hot mineral springs.

As for the beaches, there are many hidden coves that share the same volcanic aspect of the island, that contributes to the striking and appealing contrast between the black and red sand and the blue water of the sea. Here ends the first part of our cruise, with a short but interesting visit to the Greek islands. We hope to have aroused the curiosity in those who do not yet know this beautiful place, awakening fond memories in those who already had the pleasure to walk it´s streets. If you liked the story, remember to like and share, and please come back to check the second chapter, with Dubrovnik and Venice. You will not be disappointed! Estern Mediterranean Cruise Text © Alicia Jiménez + Photos © Nano Calvo Any unauthorized use of this material is prohibited. If you are an editor and want to publish this reportage or some of the images, please email us . Best guides on Greek Islands <br /> Mediterranean - definition of Mediterranean by The Free Dictionary Mediterranean - definition of Mediterranean by The Free Dictionary Med·i·ter·ra·ne·an (mĕd′ĭ-tə-rā′nē-ən) The region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Several important ancient civilizations flourished in the region, which was dominated for centuries by Phoenicia, Carthage, Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman empires. Med′i·ter·ra′ne·an adj. & n. med·i·ter·ra·ne·an (mĕd′ĭ-tə-rā′nē-ən, -rān′yən) adj. 1. Surrounded nearly or completely by dry land. Used of large bodies of water, such as lakes or seas. 2. Meteorology Of or relating to climates characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. [Latin mediterrāneus, inland : medius, middle; see medhyo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + terra, land; see ters- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Mediterranean 1. (Placename) short for the Mediterranean Sea 2. (Peoples) a native or inhabitant of a Mediterranean country adj 3. (Placename) of, relating to, situated or dwelling on or near the Mediterranean Sea 4.

(Peoples) denoting a postulated subdivision of the Caucasoid race, characterized by slender build and dark complexion 5. (Physical Geography) meteorol (of a climate) characterized by hot summers and relatively warm winters when most of the annual rainfall occurs 6. (Physical Geography) (often not capital) obsolete situated in the middle of a landmass; inland [C16: from Latin mediterrāneus, from medius middle + -terrāneus, from terra land, earth] Med•i•ter•ra•ne•an (ˌmɛd ɪ təˈreɪ ni ən) n. 2. a person whose physical characteristics are considered typical of the peoples native to the Mediterranean area. 3. the, the islands and countries of the Mediterranean Sea collectively. adj. 4. pertaining to, situated on or near, or dwelling about the Mediterranean Sea. 5. of or pertaining to the peoples native to the lands along or near the Mediterranean Sea. 6. (l.c.) surrounded or nearly surrounded by land.

[1585–95; < Latin mediterrāne(us) midland, inland + -an 1] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Mediterranean Sea Cyprus - an island in the eastern Mediterranean Crete , Kriti - the largest Greek island in the Mediterranean; site of the Minoan civilization that reached its peak in 1600 BC Aegadean Islands , Aegadean Isles , Aegates , Egadi Islands , Isole Egadi - a group of islands off the west coast of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sardegna , Sardinia - an island in the Mediterranean to the west of Italy Sicilia , Sicily - the largest island in the Mediterranean Corse , Corsica - an island in the Mediterranean; with adjacent islets it constitutes a region of France Malta - a strategically located island to the south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea Abukir , Abukir Bay - a bay on the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt Adriatic , Adriatic Sea - an arm of the Mediterranean between Slovenia and Croatia and Montenegro and Albania on the east and Italy on the west Aegean , Aegean Sea - an arm of the Mediterranean between Greece and Turkey; a main trade route

 for the ancient civilizations of Crete and Greece and Rome and Persia Gulf of Antalya - a gulf of the Mediterranean Sea in southwestern Turkey Gulf of Sidra - wide inlet of the Mediterranean Sea on the north coast of Libya Ionian Sea - an arm of the Mediterranean Sea between western Greece and southern Italy Ligurian Sea - an arm of the Mediterranean between northwest Italy and Corsica mare nostrum - (our sea) the Mediterranean to the ancient Romans Perejil - a small uninhabited Mediterranean islet claimed by both Morocco and Spain Tyrrhenian Sea - an arm of the Mediterranean between Italy and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia and Sicily Adj.

1. Mediterranean - of or relating to or characteristic of or located near the Mediterranean Sea; "Mediterranean countries" Translations the Mediterranean Sea → el Mar Mediterráneo B. N the Mediterranean (= region, sea) → el Mediterráneo Mediterranean the Mediterranean → la Méditerranée Mediterranean n → Mittelmeer nt; in the Mediterranean (= in sea) → im Mittelmeer ; (= in region) → am Mittelmeer , im Mittelmeerraum adj → Mittelmeer- ; scenery, character, person → südländisch ; Mediterranean climate/nations → Mittelmeerklima nt → /-länder pl; Mediterranean island → Mittelmeerinsel f; Mediterranean fruit → Südfrüchte pl; Mediterranean types → Südländer pl; Mediterranean cruise → Kreuzfahrt f → im Mittelmeer ; Mediterranean holiday (Brit) or vacation (US) → Urlaub m → im Mittelmeerraum Mediterranean the Mediterranean (Sea) → il (mar) Mediterraneo Mediterranean Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content .

Link to this page: Barbary References in classic literature ? Roses covered the walls of the house, draped the cornices, climbed the pillars, and ran riot over the balustrade of the wide terrace, whence one looked down on the sunny Mediterranean, and the white-walled city on its shore. View in context It was this, if I remember right: Jonah was swallowed by the whale in the Mediterranean Sea, and after three days he was vomited up somewhere within three days' journey of Nineveh, a city on the Tigris, very much more than three days' journey across from the nearest point of the Mediterranean coast. View in context The Nile runs here so near the shore that it might without much difficulty be turned through this opening of the mountains into the Red Sea, a design which many of the Emperors have thought of putting in execution, and thereby making a communication between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, but have been discouraged either by the greatness of the expense or the fear of laying great part of Egypt under water, for some of that country lies lower than sea.

View in context His looks and his handsome apparel pleased them both greatly; and after they had saluted him courteously, and he them, Samson begged him to give them his news, as well of Don Quixote as of Sancho Panza, for, he said, though they had read the letters from Sancho and her ladyship the duchess, they were still puzzled and could not make out what was meant by Sancho's government, and above all of an island, when all or most of those in the Mediterranean belonged to his Majesty. View in context 277) about the "amber route" and the "Sacred Way" in this connection; but until he gives his grounds for holding that the Mediterranean peoples in the Odyssean age used to go far North for their amber instead of getting it in Sicily, where it is still found in considerable quantities, I do not know what weight I ought to attach to his opinion.

View in context From Salamis to Actium, through Lepanto and the Nile to the naval massacre of Navarino, not to mention other armed encounters of lesser interest, all the blood heroically spilt into the Mediterranean has not stained with a single trail of purple the deep azure of its classic waters. View in context The room was most dear to her, and she would not have changed its furniture for the handsomest in the house, though what had been originally plain had suffered all the ill-usage of children; and its greatest elegancies and ornaments were a faded footstool of Julia's work, too ill done for the drawing-room, three transparencies, made in a rage for transparencies, for the three lower panes of one window, where Tintern Abbey held its station between a cave in Italy and a moonlight lake in Cumberland, a collection of family profiles, thought unworthy of being anywhere else, over the mantelpiece, and by their side, and pinned against the wall, a small sketch of a ship sent four years ago from the Mediterranean by William, with H.

View in context It was with the eyes of the king as with the immense depths of the azure heavens, or with those more terrific, and almost as sublime, which the Mediterranean reveals under the keels of its ships in a clear summer day, a gigantic mirror in which heaven delights to reflect sometimes its stars, sometimes its storms. Greek Seas Greek Seas Free Ecards | Jigsaw Puzzles Greek Seas Greece covers an area of about 131,000 square kilometres, of which 20% is made up of roughly 3,053 islands. Its coastline is about 17,000 km long, about half the total Mediterranean coastline. The coastal zone (up to 50 km from the sea) is home to 85% of the population, 80% of industry, 90% of tourism, a large percentage of farming activity and almost the whole of the fishing and fish-farming industries. The sea temperature below a depth of 400 m. is constant at about 13° C. Their blue, very clear water is a distinctive feature of the Greek Seas.

This glorious blue colour is due partly to the reflection of the blue skies and partly to the fact that the sea does not contain large quantities of solid matter such as plankton, mud and dust floating in the water. The Aegean Sea , with a volume of 7.4x10.4 cubic kilometres, is the third-largest sea of the Eastern Mediterranean after the Ionian Sea and the Levantine Seas. The changing contours of the seabed include an extensive continental shelf under the Thermaic Gulf, Samothrace, Lemnos and the Cyclades , and deep basins such as the North Aegean Trough (maximum depth 1,600 metres), the Chios Basin (maximum depth 1,160 metres) and the Sea of Crete with two deep troughs to the east (2,561 and 2,295 metres). The Greek part of the Ionian Sea includes the Hellenic Trench, which is deepest off the coast of the SW Peloponnese (5,121 metres), the deepest point in the Mediterranean. The Hellenic Trench continues along the Cretan Arc, at depths usually over 4,000 metres.

The are also deep points in the Rhodes Basin (maximum depth 4,433 metres). All seven main groups of marine and coastal Mediterranean ecotope are found in Greece. 31 marine and 132 coastal (land and wetland) plant species have been recorded and described. The Greek Seas contain about 450 species of fish( see the list of Fish and Sea Animals of Greece ), some of which are recent Lessepsian migrants from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. There are also 12 types of cetacean (whales and dolphins) , from sperm whales to Cuvier’s beaked whales. About 110 Mediterranean Monk Seals (Monachusmonachus) still live in the Greek seas, sheltering in remote caves. The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) lays its eggs on a number of Greek beaches , while two other types of sea turtle, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), are also present.

The first and only marine park in Greece, the National Marine Park of Alonissos - Northern Sporades, includes a complex of islands with rocky coasts, large and small bays and sea caves. The continental shelf around the islands is very narrow and most of the Park’s marine environment is a huge volume of very deep water. To the west it includes part of the Sporades Basin, reaching depths of over 1,400 metres, while to the east the sea is no more than 600 metres deep. The primary reason for the Park’s establishment was to protect the extremely endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachusmonachus). Information on the biodiversity of its habitat has so far come only from occasional research, establishing that the area contains a wide variety of hard and soft substrate biotopes of great ecological value. Greek Island-Hopping Basics by Rick Steves Chalk-white churches gleam on Santorini. Greece's islands and islets are scattered far and wide across the eastern Mediterranean. By Rick Steves For many people, Greece is synonymous with islands. If you need a vacation from your busy mainland Greek vacation, the islands exert an irresistible pull.

Explore a tight, twisty maze of whitewashed cubic houses with vibrant trim. Dig your toes into the hot sand while basking under a beach umbrella. Go for a dip in the crystal-clear, bathwater-warm Aegean. Nurse an iced coffee along a bustling harborfront, watching fishermen clean their catch while cuddly kittens greedily beg below. Indulge in fresh seafood at a rustic seaside taverna, and chat with the big personality whose family has owned the place for generations, all while watching the sun gradually descend into the sea. Putter along remote-feeling roads across the spine of the island on a rented ATV, then drop down on a twisty lane to a desert-isle cove with an inviting beach. The Greek islands really do live up to their worldwide acclaim. While I appreciate a healthy dose of restorative island time, I prefer to spend the bulk of my Greek vacation visiting the country's amazing wealth of ancient sights.

That's why I've focused my Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese guidebook on the bustling capital of Athens and Greece's "heartland," the Peloponnese, where — compared to the islands — prices are much lower, tourism is less suffocating, and travelers have more exciting opportunities to peel back layers of history. Still, a visit to Greece isn't complete without at least one island stay. Greece's Island Groups Greece's roughly 3,000 islands and islets (227 of which are inhabited) are scattered far and wide across the eastern Mediterranean. Most are in the Aegean Sea (south and east of mainland Greece), while a few are in the Ionian Sea (west of the mainland). The islands are divided into distinct clusters: The Ionian Islands, closer to Albania and Italy than to Athens, are Greece's northwest gateway to the Adriatic and the rest of Europe — they've had more foreign invaders and rulers (from Venice, France, Britain, Russia, Austria, and so on) than anywhere else in the country.

The main island is Corfu (Kerkyra in Greek), with a bustling, architecturally eclectic main town and a lush, green islandscape dotted with attractions and beaches. The Saronic Gulf Islands (Argosaronikos), conveniently wedged between the Peloponnese and Athens, ooze lots of island charm and give you a chance to get away from it all without actually going very far. Hydra, my favorite, is in this group. The Sporades Islands, due east of Athens, are dominated by the giant Evia island, which is attached to the mainland by a bridge. Thickly forested and less touristed by international visitors, the Sporades are a popular and handy weekend getaway for Athenians. The Cycladic Islands (or simply Cyclades) — a bit farther south, between Athens and Crete — are the prototypical "Greek islands," boasting chalk-white houses with colorful windowsills and doorways; rocky, sun-parched landscapes; delightful beaches; old-fashioned white windmills topped with tufts of grass like unkempt hair; and an almost overwhelming crush of international visitors. Mykonos and Santorini are the two best and most famous of the Cyclades.

Near Mykonos is the archaeological site of Delos (one of the most important locales of the ancient world). The Dodecanese Islands, at the sunny, southeastern end of the Greek lands, are more rustic and less developed than the Cyclades. Their proximity to Turkey and historic ties to Venice give them a hybrid Turkish-Venetian flavor (though the population is mostly ethnic Greek, these islands merged with Greece only after World War II). Rhodes, with an appealing and very real-feeling old town, is the biggest of these islands. The North Aegean Islands, relatively untrampled and remote-feeling, lie roughly between Turkey and Thessaloniki (at the northern end of mainland Greece). The southernmost of these, Samos, is a particularly handy springboard for Turkey, as it's very close to the Turkish port city of Kuşadası (near the remarkable ancient site of Ephesus). Crete is Greece's biggest island and practically a ministate of its own (in fact, from 1897 to 1913 it was an autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire).

While many of Greece's smaller islands merit a day or two of fun in the sun, Crete could occupy even a busy traveler for a week or more. Historically, Crete was home to the Minoans — the earliest advanced European civilization, peaking around 1950 B.C., centuries before "the ancient Greeks" of Athens. While Crete's modern main city, Iraklio, is drab and uninviting, the rest of the island offers an engaging diversity of attractions: Minoan ruins, scenic mountains, enticing beaches, characteristic rustic villages, and dramatic caves and gorges (including the famous Samaria Gorge ). Choosing an Island Hydra is my favorite, thanks to its speedy connections to Athens and the Peloponnese, its relaxing car-free ambience, its easily reached beaches, and its charming harbor that invites you to just linger. Two of the most popular Greek islands are Mykonos and Santorini; both are relatively well-connected to Athens. Mykonos is an adorable, windmill-topped fishing village slathered in white and thronged by a hard-partying international crowd, enjoying its many beaches and side-tripping to the ruins on nearby Delos.

Santorini is the most geologically interesting of all the Greek islands, and arguably the most picturesque, with idyllic villages perched on the rim of a collapsed and flooded volcano crater. While each Greek island has its own personality and claims to fame, most offer the same basic ingredients: a charming fishing village, once humble and poor, now a finely tuned machine for catering to (and collecting money from) a steady stream of tourists; a rugged interior, and rough roads connecting coastal coves; appealing beaches with rentable umbrellas and lounge chairs, presided over by tavernas and hotels; maybe a few dusty museums collecting ancient artifacts or bits and pieces of local folklore; and occasionally a good or even great ancient site to tour. Many islands have a main town, which is sometimes named for the island itself, or might be called Chora or Hora (Xώρα), which literally means "village." This is generally the hub for transportation, both to other islands (port for passenger ferries and cruise ships) and within the island (bus station and taxi stand). Some islands — such as Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete — have sizeable cities as their capitals.

Getting Around the Greek Islands Many passenger boats crisscross the Aegean Sea, making it quick and fairly easy to reach your island getaway. Be warned, however, that gathering ferry information takes some work, as routes can be covered by multiple companies and schedules can change. Prior to your trip, look up schedules online, then confirm the details on arrival in Greece at any travel agency (or two or three, as you may get slightly different information from different agencies). Keep in mind that sailings can be cancelled because of bad weather (more likely in the off-season). To save time, consider flying. Compared to boats, flights are less likely to get delayed or cancelled, tend to offer more frequent connections, and are much faster — but often more expensive. Two major Greek carriers offer daily flights from Athens to many Greek islands are Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines . Also consider Astra Airlines and Sky Express . If you're headed to far-flung islands such as Mykonos or Santorini — which have small airports — check flights on these airlines, which can be surprisingly affordable (and save you the long boat journey). By shopping online at least a few weeks in advance, you may be able to snare a deal.

The Greek islands are made-to-order for cruising and a major destination for cruise ships. If you're coming on a cruise, your challenge is to beat the hordes: You'll arrive in town at precisely the same time as 2,000 other visitors, all hoping to fit the maximum amount of sightseeing, shopping, or beach time in a single day. Get as early a start as possible, and explore the back lanes and beaches when the main drag gets too congested. If you're not cruising, it's smart to be aware of when ships are scheduled to show up. If you're planning to visit outlying sights or beaches, do it when the ships are in port — by the time you return to town in the afternoon, the cruise-ship passengers will be loading up to leave again. Island Accommodations Greek-island accommodations range from rustic dhomatia to chic designer hotels with spectacular views. Even out-of-the-way islands get heavy tourist traffic in the summer, so options abound.

Some travelers just show up on the boat and are greeted at the dock by locals offering cheap beds; this can be a decent way to find accommodations if you're not too picky (be very clear on the location before you agree to take a room). At the busiest times (July–September, peaking in August), visitors can outnumber beds; to get your choice of accommodations, book ahead. Expect to pay (sometimes wildly) inflated prices in high season — in the most popular destinations, such as Mykonos and Santorini, prices for even budget hotels can more than double. Prices for other services — such as car rentals and restaurant meals — also increase when demand is high. For the best combination of still-good weather, fewer crowds, and more reasonable prices, visit just before or after these busy times. Whenever you visit, enjoy your time here and simply give yourself over to the Greek islands. With a few exceptions, the "sights" (museums and ruins) are not worth going out of your way for — you're here to relax on the beach and explore the charming towns. Make the most of it.

Map of the Mediterranean Sea and Mediterranean Sea Map Size Depth History Information Page other bodies of water The Mediterranean Sea was an important route for merchants and travelers during ancient times as it allowed for trade and cultural exchange between emergent peoples of the region. Several ancient civilizations were located around its shores; thus it has had a major influence on those cultures. It provided routes for trade, colonization and war, and provided food (by fishing and the gathering) for numerous communities throughout the ages. This inland sea is bordered on the north by Europe, the east by Asia, and in the south by Africa. This 969,100 sq. mile body of water is approximately 2,300 miles in length, and has a maximum depth of 16,896 ft. The typical Mediterranean climate is hot, with dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Major crops of the region include olives, grapes, oranges, tangerines, and cork. Major subdivisions include the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Balearic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea and Ligurian Sea.

Question: An arm of the Mediterranean Sea In the Eastern part of which sea can you find the Greek island of Corfu ?
Answer: IONIAN