Expertly researched and designed, National Geographic's map features the countries bordering the "great inland sea" — the Mediterranean. Exquisitely detailed, this reference map contains hundreds of place-names, many shown with their commonly recognized conventional (English) names. Physical geography details include shaded relief and cartographic patterns used to depict sand, lava fields, and areas below sea level. Also included are the elevations of major peaks and ocean soundings, both expressed in meters. This map also features a detailed transportation network including highways, roads, high-speed passenger railroads, and major airports. The signature Classic style map uses a bright, easy to read color palette featuring blue oceans and stunning shaded relief that has been featured on National Geographic wall maps for over 75 years.

The map is encapsulated in heavy-duty 1.6 mil laminate which makes the paper much more durable and resistant to the swelling and shrinking caused by changes in humidity. Laminated maps can be framed without the need for glass, so the frames can be much lighter and less expensive.