At least one town or beach in the Mediterranean is on every traveler's bucket list, and with good reason.

The Mediterranean is home to some of the most popular destinations in the world for beach holidays, thanks to its pleasant climate, fresh food, and turquoise sea. But there's more to the Med than meets the eye. 

Serving as the hub for ancient travel routes, the region's inhabitants have adopted a unique melange of eastern and western philosophies, creating a culture around the common sentiments of joyful optimism, distinctive cuisine, and breathtaking views.

Its name means "Center of the Earth." The name "Mediterranean" comes from two Latin words, "Medius" (Middle) and "Terra" (Earth as in soil). To the ancient Romans, the Mediterranean was the center of the Earth as they knew it, and they controlled it for 400 years. 

Resting peacefully above the Sahara, the Mediterranean Sea lies between Europe, Asia, and Africa, kissing the shores of twenty-two nations along 28,600 miles of coastline. It embraces over 3000 islands, the largest of which are Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, and Cyprus.

Although part of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean is much warmer. This is because it has a higher salinity than its parent. As a result, the Mediterranean region enjoys abundant sunshine and a warm, dry climate with some of the most breathtakingly beautiful spots you will ever see in your lifetime. 

Few are aware of the wide variety of marine life that lives within the Mediterranean. Eight species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises can be found there. The sparkling blue waters are home to over 700 varieties of fish and almost 10 percent of the world's marine species. No wonder the Mediterranean diet revolves around fish!

The perfect gift for wooden jigsaw puzzlers and Mediterranean fans, this traditional adult wooden jigsaw puzzle can be done time and again. Our wooden jigsaw puzzle artists have included many fishing and sailing shaped whimsy wooden jigsaw puzzle pieces that match the theme of the image. We have integrated them in ways that will delight and surprise you as you put the wooden jigsaw puzzle together.