The Mediterranean is home to some of the most popular destinations in the world for beach holidays thanks to its agreeable climate, fresh food and turquoise sea. But there’s more to the Med than meets the eye. We’ve explored the region in depth to give you some fun facts that you probably didn’t know. They might even inspire you next holiday destination.

1 The Mediterranean Sea has a coastline of about 28,600 miles

A total of 22 countries or principalities have a border with the Mediterranean, including Albania, Croatia, Greece, Israel and Tunisia.

2 The only independent nations in the Mediterranean are Malta and Cyprus

These countries are often referred to as the Mediterranean States.

3 Cyprus is one of just two nations and the first in the world to include its map on its flag (the second is Kosovo)

4 The Maltese love fireworks and Malta holds the Guinness World Record for the largest Catherine Wheel

It was built by Lily Fireworks Factory in Mqabba on 18 June 2011 and had a diameter of 32.044 metres.

5 Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island with an area of 9,927 square miles

This part of Italy is surrounded by three different seas: the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Ionian Sea.

6 Of the 1,400-plus Greek Islands, 83 are in the Mediterranean Sea

The 10 largest Greek islands in the Med are: Crete, Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes, Chios, Corfu, Lemnos, Samos, Naxos and Zakynthos.

7 The highest temperature of the Mediterranean is in the Gulf of Sidra, off the coast of Libya, where the average temperature in August is about 31°C

This compares with average sea temperatures of 26.2°C in Ibiza during August.

8 Eight different species of whales, dolphins and porpoises can be found in the Mediterranean

The Gibraltar Strait, which connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, is a hotspot for killer whale sightings during the tuna season in early spring and through summer.

9 The sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea are home to over 700 varieties of fish and almost 10 per cent of the world’ marine species

10 At 3,719 metres, Pico De Teide on the Mediterranean island of Tenerife is the highest point in Spain

However, Tenerife – the largest of the Canary Islands – is only the 10th highest island in the world.

So, how much did you know? You can find out more about these amazing islands on our website.