Fact Check: The Mediterranean Sea is bordered by 24 countries.

Fact Check: "The Mediterranean Sea is bordered by 24 countries."

What We Know

The Mediterranean Sea is bordered by a total of 20 sovereign countries and includes two island nations (Malta and Cyprus) and two British Overseas Territories (Gibraltar and Akrotiri & Dhekelia) that have coastlines along the sea. The countries bordering the Mediterranean, listed clockwise from Gibraltar, include Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine (Gaza Strip), Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco (source-1, source-2).

In addition to these, there are several countries that are sometimes included in discussions about the Mediterranean region due to their geographical, historical, or cultural ties, despite not having a coastline on the Mediterranean itself. These include Portugal, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Jordan (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that "The Mediterranean Sea is bordered by 24 countries" can be considered partially true. If we strictly count only the countries with coastlines on the Mediterranean, the total is 20. However, if we include the two British Overseas Territories, the count rises to 22. The inclusion of additional countries that are geographically or culturally connected to the Mediterranean raises the total to 30, but these countries do not border the sea directly (source-1, source-2).

The sources used in this analysis are generally reliable, as they include well-established references like Wikipedia and specialized maritime websites. However, the interpretation of what constitutes "bordering" the Mediterranean can vary. For instance, some sources may include countries based on cultural or climatic connections rather than direct geographical borders (source-1, source-6).

Conclusion

The verdict is Partially True. While the Mediterranean Sea is bordered by 20 countries and includes two British Overseas Territories, the claim of 24 countries may stem from a broader interpretation that includes nations with cultural or historical ties to the region. Thus, while the claim has merit, it does not accurately reflect the strict geographical reality.