The western and eastern Mediterranean are connected through constrained waters, while the Adriatic, Ionian, and Aegean further divide the theatre. That geography made the sea useful for transit, but gave a cruiser little strategic depth if it had to escape a heavier force. Malta sat near the division between the western and eastern basins, showing how a few positions could shape movement. A ship built around speed and independent movement needed more room to manoeuvre than this theatre provided.
Chapter · 6:59-8:24
Why the Mediterranean constrained armoured cruisers
The Mediterranean's enclosed basins and chokepoints limited the room an armoured cruiser needed to evade stronger opponents.