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 Mediterranean Economy
Around the Mediterranean, agriculture has always
been the basis of the economy

  From ancient times, fishing has been a principal economic activity in the Mediterranean basin, but catches were destined only for local markets. Tyrian purple dye, made from the Mediterranean rock whelk, was once an important product shipped from the coast of the Levant.

Large quantities of sponges were also exported from Greece until rising costs, diminishing supplies, emigration of sponge fishers, and synthetic substitutes almost obliterated the industry after World War II.

Around the Mediterranean, agriculture has always been the basis of the economy. The main crops are wheat and barley, but most important are specialty crops such as grapes, olives, citrus, and cork and the products made from them. Manufacturing is becoming increasingly important, especially in the European countries and in Israel. Evidence exists of petroleum and natural-gas deposits in the deep sediments of the basin floors.

Large gas deposits have been found in the Adriatic, and petroleum has been discovered off Malta, Spain, France, and Tunisia. Exploration is continuing, particularly off the coast of Israel and in the Aegean and Tyrrhenian seas.

 

 

Mediterranean
history, economy, environment, more...

Mediterranean
Mediterranean Brief History  Mediterranean Sea Environment
Economy
Geology and Climate
Strait of Gibraltar
Crete
Sicily
Sardinia
Corsica
Balearic Islands

 
 


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