Composite Image: Aegean Sea, Turkey

The Aegean Sea is an extension of the Mediterranean Sea surrounding the archipelago between Greece to the west and Asia Minor to the east. It is bounded to the north by European Turkey, and connected by the Dardanelles and the Sea of Marmora to the Black Sea. Geographically, the Aegean Islands form stepping stones between Greece and the coast of Turkey. Many of the Islands in the archipelago, such as Lesvos and Khios, were once extensions of the mainland.