Editing Ionian Sea

{{Short description|Sea of the Mediterranean between Italy, Albania, and Greece}}

The '''Ionian Sea''' is a regional sea of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] between southern [[Italy]] and the western coasts of [[Albania]] and [[Greece]]. It is connected to the [[Adriatic Sea]] through the [[Strait of Otranto]] and to the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] through the [[Strait of Messina]]. The sea lies between the southern [[Italian Peninsula]] and the southern [[Balkans]] and contains the [[Ionian Islands]].<ref name="mediterranean-geography"/><ref name="southern-europe-geography"/>

== Geography ==

The western side of the Ionian Sea is bordered by eastern [[Sicily]], [[Calabria]], and the Salento Peninsula in southern Italy. Calabria lies between the Ionian Sea to the east and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west.<ref name="calabria-geography"/> The northeastern coast follows southern Albania from the area around [[Vlorë]] to the Greek border. South of Vlorë, the Albanian coastline becomes narrower and more mountainous as it faces the Ionian Sea.<ref name="albania-geography"/>

The eastern shore includes western mainland Greece and the western coast of the [[Peloponnese]]. The Greek islands within the sea include [[Corfu]], Paxos, [[Lefkada]], [[Ithaca]], [[Kefalonia]], and [[Zakynthos]]. These islands form most of the Ionian Islands group and extend along the western coast of Greece.<ref name="greece-geography"/>

The Strait of Otranto forms the northern entrance to the sea between southeastern Italy and Albania. The Strait of Messina passes between Sicily and Calabria and connects the Ionian Sea with the Tyrrhenian Sea. To the south, the Ionian basin opens into the central Mediterranean.

Major coastal inlets include the [[Gulf of Taranto]] and Gulf of Squillace in Italy, and the Ambracian Gulf, Gulf of Patras, Gulf of Kyparissia, Messenian Gulf, and Laconian Gulf in Greece. The Gulf of Patras provides access to the [[Gulf of Corinth]] through the Strait of Rion.

The southern Ionian Sea contains the Calypso Deep, the deepest known point of the Mediterranean Sea, at approximately 5,122 metres below sea level. It lies within the Hellenic Trench southwest of the Peloponnese. The surrounding area is tectonically active because of movement between the African and Eurasian plates.

The coastal environment includes deep offshore basins, narrow continental shelves, rocky shores, beaches, bays, wetlands, and island channels. Marine habitats support fish, marine mammals, seabirds, seagrass meadows, and other Mediterranean species. Coastal development, fishing, shipping, marine pollution, and rising water temperatures affect parts of the sea.

== History and maritime use ==

The Ionian Sea has served as a route between the Italian Peninsula, the Balkans, and the Greek world since antiquity. Greek settlements developed along the coasts of southern Italy and Sicily, where many became part of [[Magna Graecia]]. Maritime routes connected these settlements with mainland Greece and the islands.

After Roman expansion, the sea formed part of the transport system linking Italy with Epirus, Greece, and the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Ports and crossings supported military movement, administration, commerce, and communication across the central and eastern Mediterranean.<ref name="mediterranean-history"/>

During the medieval and early modern periods, the Ionian Sea remained an important route for the Byzantine Empire, southern Italian states, the Republic of Venice, and the Ottoman Empire. Control of ports, islands, and narrow passages affected trade and naval movement between Italy and the southern Balkans.

The sea continues to support commercial shipping, fishing, passenger transport, and tourism. Major ports on or near its coasts include [[Taranto]], [[Catania]], [[Syracuse]], [[Messina]], Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and [[Patras]]. Ferry and cargo routes cross the northern Ionian Sea between Italy, Albania, the Greek mainland, and the Ionian Islands.

== See also ==
* [[Mediterranean Sea]]
* [[Adriatic Sea]]
* [[Tyrrhenian Sea]]
* [[Strait of Otranto]]
* [[Strait of Messina]]
* [[Ionian Islands]]
* [[Southern Europe]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="mediterranean-geography">"[[Mediterranean Sea#Geography|Geography]]". ''Mediterranean Sea''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Geography section identifying the Ionian Sea as one of the regional seas of the Mediterranean. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="southern-europe-geography">"[[Southern Europe#Geography|Geography]]". ''Southern Europe''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Geography section describing the Ionian Sea between the Italian Peninsula and the southern Balkans. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="calabria-geography">"[[Calabria#Geography|Geography]]". ''Calabria''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Geography section describing Calabria between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="albania-geography">"[[Albania#Geography|Geography]]". ''Albania''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Geography section describing the Albanian coast south of Vlorë along the Ionian Sea. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="greece-geography">"[[Greece#Geography|Geography]]". ''Greece''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Geography section covering the western Greek coastline and the Ionian Islands. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="mediterranean-history">"[[Mediterranean Sea#Historical role|Historical role]]". ''Mediterranean Sea''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Historical section covering Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and later maritime activity in the Mediterranean. Accessed 20 June 2026.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Seas]]

[[Category:Mediterranean Sea]]

[[Category:Southern Europe]]

[[Category:Geography]]

[[Category:Locations]]