| − | The [[Mediterranean Sea]] is almost completely enclosed by land; [[Europe]] to the north, [[Asia]] to the east, [[Africa]] to the south, connecting to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] via the Straits of [[Gibraltar]] to the west. In order, the four largest islands in the Mediterranean are Sicily, Sardinia, [[Cyprus]], and Corsica. | + | The [[Mediterranean Sea]] is almost completely enclosed by land; [[Europe]] to the north, [[Asia]] to the east, [[Africa]] to the south, connecting to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] via the Straits of [[Gibraltar]] to the west. In order, the four largest islands in the Mediterranean are Sicily, Sardinia, [[Cyprus]], and Corsica. Two independent island nations exist within the Mediterranean Sea: [[Cyprus]] and [[Malta]]. |