| − | A branch of the Atlantic Ocean that is almost completely enclosed by land. [[Europe]] lies to the north, [[Asia]] to the east, [[Africa]] to the south, and the Straits of Gibraltar to the west. The name Mediterannean means "middle Earth". The Romans named the lake Mare Nostrum, which means "Our Sea". The Mediterannean Sea is devoid of plankton life.
| + | The sea off the Atlantic Ocean which is almost completely enclosed by land. [[Europe]] to the north, [[Asia]] to the east, [[Africa]] to the south, and the Straits of Gibraltar to the west. |