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Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean is a sea bordered to the north by Europe, the east by Asia and the south by Africa. It is linked with the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gilbraltar.

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All Content on this topic

Newly constructed migrant shelter in Shengjin, Albania.

Newly constructed migrant shelter in Shengjin, Albania.

Italy sends migrants to Albania under new asylum scheme

Nongovernmental organizations criticize the move, questioning whether asylum-seekers will be treated well in Albania.

Piraten-Fischern auf der Spur - Der zähe Kampf gegen die Ausbeutung der Meere
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Piraten-Fischern auf der Spur - Der zähe Kampf gegen die Ausbeutung der Meere
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Illegal fishing: On the trail of the fishing pirates

One in five fish consumed worldwide is the product of illegal fishing.

A diver shines a light under the water

A diver shines a light under the water

How climate change is affecting the Mediterranean Sea

Every day, marine biologist Gerwin Gretschel observes how rapidly the Mediterranean Sea is changing.

A portrait of Giorgia Meloni on a hot pink background, hanging on a brick wall

A portrait of Giorgia Meloni on a hot pink background, hanging on a brick wall

Meloni-themed eatery opens near Albanian migrant camp

A Meloni-themed restaurant has opened in the coastal town of Shengjin, Albania — close to a migrant camp.

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Protecting fish and seafood - and preserving underwater ecosystems

How can we protect precious aquatic life? An initiative in West Bengal is trying to clean up the Ichamati River. In Tamil Nadu, a collective is promoting sustainable seafood. And a Spanish retirees who records water temperatures in the Mediterranean.

Greek Cypriot mothers and wifes, clad in black for 29 years, still mourning and still not knowing the destiny of their loved ones, commence a hunger strike at the Ledra Palace checkpoint on Sunday, 20 July 2003.

Greek Cypriot mothers and wifes, clad in black for 29 years, still mourning and still not knowing the destiny of their loved ones, commence a hunger strike at the Ledra Palace checkpoint on Sunday, 20 July 2003.

Mediterranean island of Cyprus marks 1974 Turkish invasion

Fifty years after Turkey's invasion, Cyprus's divisive history remains viewed differently by Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Two female migrants at the shore between Libya and Tunisia

Two female migrants at the shore between Libya and Tunisia

Migrants flock to Libya despite lack of law and order

Human traffickers, militias, mass graves — nothing seems to discourage migrants from coming to Libya.

The rescue ship "Sea-Eye 4"

The rescue ship "Sea-Eye 4"

German charity warns of Mediterranean refugee 'emergency'

European countries are not doing enough to address the crisis in the Mediterranean, rescue NGO Sea-Eye has said.

A post on X claiming the USS Theodore Roosevelt is on its way to the coast of Israel

A post on X claiming the USS Theodore Roosevelt is on its way to the coast of Israel

No, this US navy fleet is not yet en route to Israel

False claims on military movements amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions circulate online. DW fact-checks some of them.

ResQship's "Nadir" rescue vessel pictured during a rescue in 2023

ResQship's "Nadir" rescue vessel pictured during a rescue in 2023

German rescue group: 10 migrants found dead in Mediterranean

Rescuers from a German rescue group said 10 bodies were found on a wooden boat in the Mediterranean.

African migrants living under difficult conditions in olive forests in the town of Amra in the Tunisian city of Sfax

African migrants living under difficult conditions in olive forests in the town of Amra in the Tunisian city of Sfax

Tunisia: Thousands of migrants 'dumped' in the desert

Rights groups say the Tunisian authorities are conducting illegal "collective expulsions" of migrants, with EU funds.

Survivors of a shipwreck sit inside a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town, on June 15, 2023.

Survivors of a shipwreck sit inside a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town, on June 15, 2023.

Greece: Trial on Mediterranean migrant shipwreck dismissed

Nine Egyptian men face trial after the shipwreck of a fishing trawler in June 2023 left hundreds of migrants dead.

DW In Good Shape Sendungslogo Composite

DW In Good Shape Sendungslogo Composite

Nutrition trends in check - In Good Shape

What makes a really healthy diet? We look at the science behind some of the latest fads and trends.

Two women in brightly colored safety vests, one holding a photo and the other a painting, both depicting migrants in boats at sea

Two women in brightly colored safety vests, one holding a photo and the other a painting, both depicting migrants in boats at sea

Asylum-seekers: Is EU-Tunisia like UK-Rwanda?

While Tunisia is a trusted ally for curbing migration to Europe, rights observers don't consider it a "safe" place.

Migrants sitting on rescue ship

Migrants sitting on rescue ship

Lost at sea: New constraints hinder Mediterranean rescuers

Last year was the deadliest for migrants crossing the Mediterranean since 2017. A ride on one rescue boat shows why.

An aerial photo shows parched land beneath a dock where water has dried up

An aerial photo shows parched land beneath a dock where water has dried up

Mediterranean region gripped by disastrous drought

The drought has Southern Europe and North Africa firmly in its grip. The situation could get even worse in spring.

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

How can we protect precious aquatic life?

Reviving a river in West Bengal. Sustainable seafood in Tamil Nadu. And collecting data in Spain.

People in front of a building

People in front of a building

How is Germany handling its migration partnerships?

Migration partnerships can't halt large movements of refugees, but they can help countries to better manage migration.

Fokus Europa Spanien – der Wasservermesser

Fokus Europa Spanien – der Wasservermesser

Spain: Surveying the sea

Water temperature measurements show the Mediterranean is getting warmer and warmer.

Fokus Europa Deutschland Migration

Fokus Europa Deutschland Migration

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

The mayor of Hebertshausen in Bavaria welcomes migrants and refugees with open arms.

Marokko Reise am Mittelmeer

Marokko Reise am Mittelmeer

Mediterranean journey - Morocco

At the end of their Mediterranean journey, Sineb El Masrar shows Jaafar Abdul Karim her parents’ country.

Doku KW 42 | Andalusia Reise

Doku KW 42 | Andalusia Reise

Mediterranean journey - Andalusia

As he travels the Mediterranean, Jaafar Abdul Karim visits Andalusia in Spain.

Italien Eine Reise am Mittelmeer - Sizilien - Italien

Italien Eine Reise am Mittelmeer - Sizilien - Italien

Mediterranean Journey - Sicily - Italy

As she travels the Mediterranean, journalist Sineb El Masrar visits Sicily, Italy’s largest island.

Dokumentarfilm | Eine Reise am Mittelmeer - Tunesien

Dokumentarfilm | Eine Reise am Mittelmeer - Tunesien

Mediterranean journey - Tunisia

Tunisia is considered a microcosm of the Mediterranean world.

A sub-Saharan migrant sweeps the street in Tunis, Tunisia on August 25, 2023, as a toddler in diapers looks on

A sub-Saharan migrant sweeps the street in Tunis, Tunisia on August 25, 2023, as a toddler in diapers looks on

Tunisia's 2024 election: What role will migration play?

What impact is the so-called EU migration deal having and how might it affect President Saied's chances of reelection?

Dokumentarfilm | Modernes Mittelmeer - Malta

Dokumentarfilm | Modernes Mittelmeer - Malta

Mediterranean journey - Malta

Jaafar Abdul Karim travels through one of the smallest countries in Europe: Malta.

Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in southern Khartoum amidst ongoing fighting on June 7, 2023

Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in southern Khartoum amidst ongoing fighting on June 7, 2023

A humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan

Fighting has driven 6 million people from their homes in Sudan. In Darfur, the violence is reportedly escalating.

Dokus KW 34

Dokus KW 34

Mediterranean journey - Egypt

Jaafar Abdul Karim travels to the land of the Pharaohs - Egypt.

Doku-Bild Mein Freund der Wal - Einsatz im Mittelmeer

Doku-Bild Mein Freund der Wal - Einsatz im Mittelmeer

Whales under threat – Mission in the Mediterranean

Collisions with ships are one of the most frequent causes of death for many whale species.

DW Euromaxx EMX_2

DW Euromaxx EMX_2

Travel tips for the northern Italian port city of Trieste

Trieste is a coffee connoisseur’s paradise, but what more does the Italian port city have to offer?

People sit on the beach in Gaza watching the sunset

People sit on the beach in Gaza watching the sunset

Gaza migrants: Embarking on a dangerous journey to Europe

Life in Gaza is hard. DW met several young people who plan to leave and make the dangerous journey to Europe.

Crew members of the Geo Barents migrant rescue ship, operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), distribute life jackets to a group of 61 migrants on a wooden boat during a rescue operation

Crew members of the Geo Barents migrant rescue ship, operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), distribute life jackets to a group of 61 migrants on a wooden boat during a rescue operation

EU's Mediterranean leaders meet as migrant numbers rise

The summit comes as Europe struggles to agree on handling asylum seekers and irregular migrants.

Refugees rescued by Aurora rescue vessel of Sea-Watch

Refugees rescued by Aurora rescue vessel of Sea-Watch

Over 2,500 migrants lost to Mediterranean in 2023: UN

Data released by the UNHCR show a worsening migration crisis that is already a source of contention within Europe.

A view of migrants arriving at the harbor of Lampedusa island, Italy.

A view of migrants arriving at the harbor of Lampedusa island, Italy.

EU moves towards migration deal

A key topic of the EU interior ministers' meeting in Brussels was migration and managing future crises.

A rescue worker helps a child from a group of mainly Syrian migrants during a mission

A rescue worker helps a child from a group of mainly Syrian migrants during a mission

SOS Mediterranee wins 'Alternative Nobel Prize'

The aid group has won the Right Livelihood Award for its life-saving work with migrants on the Mediterranean Sea.

A coastal city covered in mud and water

A coastal city covered in mud and water

Climate change fueled catastrophic Libya flooding

After a deadly storm flooded Libya, a new study shows global heating made the deluge up to 50 times more likely.

A young Black man looks out to sea in Tunisia

A young Black man looks out to sea in Tunisia

Tunisia: New crossroads for sub-Saharan migration to Europe

Migration across the Mediterranean is rising, and the EU is focusing on Tunisia in its attempt to stem immigration.

A man passes debris, upturned cars in Derna, Libya

A man passes debris, upturned cars in Derna, Libya

Tens of thousands dead and missing after Libya floods

More than 5,000 have died and 7,000 people are missing in the Libyan port city of Derna. Relief efforts are hindered.

A boat with migrants is crossing the Mediterranean.

A boat with migrants is crossing the Mediterranean.

Tunisia: New hot spot for sub-Saharan migration to Europe

The Tunisian coastal city of Sfax is fast becoming the new departure hot spot for sub-Saharan migrant flows to Europe.

deutsche Rettungsschiff Humanity 1 im Mittelmeer

deutsche Rettungsschiff Humanity 1 im Mittelmeer

Mediterranean mission - Civil sea rescue of refugees

The German rescue ship 'Humanity 1' saves refugees on the Mediterranean.

Five ceramic pots in the Roman Mosaic Museum, also known as the Roman Edifice, Constanta, Romania June 2015

Five ceramic pots in the Roman Mosaic Museum, also known as the Roman Edifice, Constanta, Romania June 2015

5 facts about amphorae — antiquity's packaging

The remains of amphorae, used to hold oil, wine and olives, have provided information about food preferences and trade.

Migrants rescued by members of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms

Migrants rescued by members of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms

Mediterranean migrant deaths at highest in years

Nearly 2,000 people have died or gone missing trying to reach Europe this year. It's the highest number since 2017.

Rescue workers bring migrants ashore at Dover, UK, after a boat carrying migrants from France sunk in the English Channel on August 12, 2023,

Rescue workers bring migrants ashore at Dover, UK, after a boat carrying migrants from France sunk in the English Channel on August 12, 2023,

Migrant boats sink in Mediterranean, English Channel

A baby was one of two victims off the coast of Tunisia. Six Afghan nationals died when their boat sank off France.

Sun setting on the sea. A silhouette of a boat in the background

Sun setting on the sea. A silhouette of a boat in the background

Extreme heat: What does it mean for the Mediterranean Sea?

How can Mediterranean Sea ecosystems and marine creatures be protected from skyrocketing temperatures?

A ship with migrants near the southern island of Crete, Greece

A ship with migrants near the southern island of Crete, Greece

The main routes migrants take to reach Europe

Migrants and refugees from Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia use these four main routes to reach the EU by sea.

A young elephant seal is seen swimming underwater.

A young elephant seal is seen swimming underwater.

Global ocean surface temperatures reach record highs

Average surface water temperatures in July have been the hottest on record, hitting 20.96 degrees Celsius.

Sea surface temperatures are rising

Sea surface temperatures are rising

Land and sea surface temperature hotter than ever before

July was a recording breaking month for both land and sea temperatures, according to EU climate observers Copernicus.

Tourists are evacuated from hotels during a wildfire on the Greek island of Rhodes on July 22, 2023.

Tourists are evacuated from hotels during a wildfire on the Greek island of Rhodes on July 22, 2023.

Wildfires: How will the tourism industry cope?

The devastating fires in southern Europe are putting a huge economic strain on the local tourism industry.

Wildfire in Rhodes

Wildfire in Rhodes

Wildfires tear through Mediterranean tourist hot spots

Wildfires continue to rage throughout the Mediterranean from the Canary Islands to North Africa and Turkey.

Packages containing cocaine seized during a police operation

Packages containing cocaine seized during a police operation

Italy: Police seize record 5 tons of cocaine near Sicily

The seizure, discovered on a ship from South America, is the largest-ever on Italian territory.