Countries Bordering the Mediterranean Sea: A Complete List by Region

The Mediterranean Sea connects three continents and touches 21 sovereign nations (plus several territories). Here's the full breakdown.

Europe (13)

• Spain
• France
• Monaco
• Italy
• Malta
• Slovenia
• Croatia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (tiny coast at Neum)
• Montenegro
• Albania
• Greece
• Turkey (European side / Thrace)
• Cyprus (geographically Asia, politically EU)

Africa (5)

• Morocco
• Algeria
• Tunisia
• Libya
• Egypt

Asia / Levant (5)

• Turkey (Anatolian side)
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Israel
• Palestine (Gaza Strip)

Territories & Special Cases

• Gibraltar (UK Overseas Territory)
• Ceuta & Melilla (Spanish autonomous cities in North Africa)
• Akrotiri & Dhekelia (UK Sovereign Base Areas, Cyprus)
• Northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey)

Key Straits & Connections

• Strait of Gibraltar → Atlantic Ocean
• Dardanelles / Sea of Marmara / Bosphorus → Black Sea
• Suez Canal → Red Sea / Indian Ocean

Why It Matters

The Mediterranean is a geopolitical, economic, and ecological crossroads. Its 28,600 mi coastline hosts 150M+ people, 30% of global sea trade, and unique biodiversity—all governed by a complex web of national and international laws (Barcelona Convention, UNCLOS).