When the beginning of the seventeenth century approximately half a million people lived in countries that bordered which body of water?

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, approximately half a million people lived in countries that bordered the Mediterranean Sea. This body of water was significant for trade, cultural exchange, and the interaction of various civilizations, including those in Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. The Mediterranean played a crucial role in the economic and social dynamics of the region during this period.