Editing Mediterranean Sea (section)

== Economy and transport ==

The Mediterranean Sea supports major economic activity. Its uses include shipping, fishing, passenger transport, coastal tourism, naval movement, port services, undersea communication cables, offshore energy activity, and the movement of food, fuel, manufactured goods, and other materials.

Major port cities around the Mediterranean include [[Marseille]], Genoa, Naples, Palermo, [[Barcelona]], [[Valencia]], [[Athens]], [[Istanbul]], [[Alexandria]], [[Tunis]], [[Algiers]], and [[Beirut]]. These ports connect inland transport systems with maritime routes across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.

Tourism is also important along many Mediterranean coasts and islands. Coastal cities, beaches, historic sites, islands, cruise routes, and maritime recreation form major parts of local and national economies.