Take a colourful, sensory journey through the Mediterranean-type climates of the world.

Eden's Mediterranean Biome takes you on a relaxed camper-van road trip of a tour through the Mediterranean-type climates (also known as warm temperate regions) of the world. This colourful, sensory journey begins in the Mediterranean Basin, takes you across the equator to South Africa, and on to experience the grandeur of the Californian landscape.

Mediterranean magic

The Mediterranean is one of only five small regions around the world sharing a distinctive climate. These regions cover only 2% of the land surface of the Earth but hold 20% of its plant-life. There are four other regions around the world that share the Mediterranean climate - South Africa, South West Australia, Central Chile, and California. The native plants thrive on drought and poor thin soils. Some have small, grey, hairy leaves, some make protective oils, some are spiny, evergreen and / or waxy. Eden takes you on a journey through three of these regions, the Mediterranean, South Africa and California. Although the climate is very similar in the Mediterranean regions of the world, each has a unique collection of plants, many of which grow only in that region. Each region has also come to be associated with superb fruits, fine wines and good crops.

Fantastic flora and fauna

During your travels you will encounter all manner of fantastic flora and fauna, including citrus, olives, herbs and vines, the rich variety of the South African region’s proteas and aloes, drifts of colourful Californian annuals (poppies and lupins) and shrubs of the Chapparal. There are also banks of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

Voyage of discovery

Find out about the classic Mediterranean diet of fresh veg, fruit, olive oil and a drop of red wine, how the Citrus family breeds, how perfumiers use plants and how olive oil is made.

A bit about the Warm Temperate regions of the world

The warm temperate regions of the world are generally located 30 – 40 degrees N or or S latitude on the western sides of continents.

A Mediterranean climate is defined by hot, dry summers and frost-free, rainy winters. Winter and spring are the main growing seasons.

Inside the Mediterranean Biome

The Plants

The Mediterranean Biome houses plants from around the Mediterranean (citrus, olives, herbs and vines), the rich variety of the South African region’s (proteas and aloes), drifts of colourful Californian annuals (poppies and lupins) and shrubs of the Chapparal. There are also banks of fruits, vegetables and other crops. Each plant has its own story and the innovative signs and guides help you enjoy those stories to the full.

The stories

The exhibits in the Mediterranean Biome are designed to give a glimpse of our connections to these regions of the world that may seem far away but are actually intrinsically connected to us. We tell the stories of the world’s useful plants such as citrus fruits, cork, grape vines and olives, while touching on history, botany, horticulture and global politics.

The Big Questions

• What are the plants we rely on that grow in these parts of the world?
• Where do they come from?
• What are the impacts people (us) have in these regions?
• What are the challenges people living in these regions face?
• What are the ideas, and solutions, people are coming up with to face these challenges?

Mediterranean Biome facts and figures

• Size: 30m high and 6540m2 (over half a hectare)
• Plants: 1,015 different species and cultivars
• Temperature: 9 oC minimum in winter, 25 oC maximum in summer
• Visiting?: Our Biomes, unlike glass, transmit UV light, so you may need your sunhat

What is a biome?

A biome is a climatically and geographically defined area of ecologically similar communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, often referred to as ecosystems. Biomes are defined based on factors such as plant structures (such as trees, shrubs, and grasses), leaf types (such as broadleaf and needleleaf), plant spacing (forest, woodland, savanna), and climate.

Want to know more?

You can buy Eden Project books in the Eden Project online shop which delve deeper into the fascinating story of the Mediterranean climates and plants.