Which positions control Mediterranean access?

Which strategic positions matter most for controlling the Mediterranean?

Gibraltar, Malta, Alexandria, Suez, and the Dardanelles provide strategic control points. The Strait of Otranto also matters when control of the Adriatic is at issue.

Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria link control of the Mediterranean's western, central, and eastern waters. Suez adds an artificial chokepoint at the eastern end of the route. The Dardanelles are vital to access between the Mediterranean and Black Sea, especially for Russia. The Strait of Otranto can also matter, depending on the period and on who controls the Adriatic. Maritime control therefore rests on a network of entrances, bases, and transit nodes, with Malta occupying its central link.