The Israelites were generally not a seafaring people during the time of Bible history. They were however well familiar with the Mediterranean Sea that formed the western border of the land of Israel. It was called variously "the sea" (Joshua 16:8), the "Western Sea" (Deuteronomy 11:24), or the "Sea of the Philistines" (Exodus 23:31).

Some facts and figures:

• The Mediterranean Sea is an "inland ocean," extending from Gibraltar in the west to Israel in the east. It touches upon Europe, Africa and Asia, ('the Crossroads Of The Earth') in ancient times.

• It is approximately 2,300 miles / 3,700 kilometers long, and from 100 to 600 miles / 160 to 965 kilometers wide.

• Its greatest depth is approximately 14,400 feet / 4,390 meters), off Cape Matapan.

• It connects with the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar, the Black Sea by the Dardanelles, and the Red Sea by the Suez Canal.

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