The Mediterranean basin stretches c.3,800 km east to west from the tip of Portugal to the shores of Lebanon and c.1,000 km north to south from Italy to Morocco and Libya. The climate is characterised by hot dry summers and humid, cool winters but it can also be notoriously capricious with sudden torrential downpours or bouts of high winds (eg the Sirocco, the Mistral) occurring at various times of the year. These climatic conditions have a profound influence on the vegetation and wildlife of the region.

It is estimated that up to two billion birds migrate to, or through, the Mediterranean Region every year. Some are merely stopping over for a few days or weeks to refuel before their long journey across the Sahara, others come down to spend the winter here to escape the cold weather further north.

As for the Mediterranean Sea, its clear blue waters are famous throughout the world. Although not a very productive sea it nevertheless harbours a tremendous diversity of marine organisms, many of which are endemic to the region. It is estimated that the Mediterranean contains 8–9% of all the world’s marine creatures. Many of the lesser-known sponges, sea squirts, sponges, crustaceans etc… can be found hidden amongst the vast underwater meadows or Posidonia beds that grow in shallow coastal waters.