Final answer:
The word archipelago is from the Greek meaning "chief sea", referring to the Aegean Sea located between Greece and Turkey and encompassing over 2,000 islands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word archipelago is from the Greek meaning "chief sea", meaning this part of the Mediterranean is the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Sea is located between today's countries of Greece and Turkey and encompasses over 2,000 islands, with Crete being the most significant island. The Minoans and Cycladic cultures, ancient civilizations that lived in the Aegean Sea region, extensively used the sea for travel, trade, and food.