One of the most curious seas and named for its special characteristics is the Black Sea. This sea is attributed this color for a reason. It is something quite curious about this sea. Its location is between Europe and Asia and it is one of the most doubts to those who hear its name. Something similar to what happens with the Red Sea.
In this article we are going to discover all the secrets of the Black Sea and tell you about all the special characteristics it has. Do you want to know more about him?
Key features
The Black Sea is the one that causes many doubts when talking to it. One can doubt about the real existence of this color or the cause of it. Many people are not sure whether it belongs to Asia or Europe. The truth is that it is forming part of what was once the great continent called Eurasia.
Among the countries that surround it we find:
- Türkiye: is south of the Black Sea.
- Bulgaria: to West.
- Romania: also to the West.
- Ukraine: it is located north of this sea.
- Russia: it is in the East.
- Georgia: also in the East.
This sea was known by the name of Euxine Pontus. This part where the Black Sea is located is in the middle of a totally terrestrial zone and oceans. It is simply connected to the Mediterranean Sea by a small Strait of the Bosphorus in Turkey. It is the only part where both the incoming and outgoing water can be renewed. If this strait were not there, it would be a lake.
The dimensions of this sea is one of the questions that people ask the most. To call a body of water a sea, its surface must be quite large. In this case, the Black Sea measures about 600 km from north to south and about 1.175 km from east to west. The entire area is 436.400 km2. Its depth is also quite wide and a lot of varied flora and fauna can develop in it. The depth reaches 2.2455 meters and its water capacity is 547.000 km3 of water.
What is the name of the Black Sea?
What you have surely come to here is to find out why it was called the Black Sea from the beginning. When you see the Black Sea you realize that it is not a black sea. So why is it called that?
It is not known exactly why they call this sea by its name. The civilizations that inhabited these places in ancient times did not call it this way, but something else. Among the most appropriate reasons that we find for this sea to be called with this name we have that it has a dark color. One of the characteristics that makes this sea special is that, its dark color, makes it impossible to see anything at a distance of about 100 meters.
The reason it has this dark color is because there is a lot of vegetation on the bottom and black mud. This vegetation is nourished by the high content of hydrogen sulfide, so that all the mud gradually acquires this black tone. The water is not black, only the reflection of the ground makes the entire sea appear with a darker color.
It is the same with the Red Sea. The amount of red algae in its substrate makes the color of the sea appear red from the outside. However, if the water was black, it would be a cause for concern. Contrary to what is thought (because many confuse it with the Dead Sea) is that this sea does not contain a high salt content. On the contrary, if the salt content were higher, the entire plant environment that gives it the color for which it is named could not develop.
In this sea we can find phytoplankton, zebra mussels, common carp and round gobies, which are a type of fish. Its richness of flora and fauna is quite high and it is quite famous touristically.
Importance
Now we are going to see the importance of this sea both for its location and for the economic interest it can have for human beings. There are different modern uses that can be given in this region and they are the following. By having good vegetation and fauna, ports can be built for fishing. This makes trade can flourish between the countries that surround this sea.
Navigation is also possible, since its surface is quite large. This increases tourism and the money that comes from them. Thanks to this tourism, spas and hotels increase their profits by having more hosts.
On the other hand, the wealth of fauna also offers some interesting lots for sport fishing. Although not so widespread, it also serves to exploit some hydrocarbons present, although there is not too much of it. The military use that was given to it because of its geostrategic position is good for the old wars.
Except for military use, the rest of uses have been increasing after the Cold War. This allows the economy of all the surrounding areas to prosper.
Can you navigate?
One question that many people have when going to the Black Sea is whether or not they can navigate. The answer is yes. Although it has indisputably different characteristics to the rest of the seas, you can navigate as long as the boats are well prepared and have to pass necessary checks. In this way, they can adapt to the characteristics of this sea.
Commercial navigation is also a good option to improve the economy and fishing through obtaining good catches. In a short time, tourists and citizens of this region are more in awe of this sea.
In some past times it was not navigable, since due to its smaller size it froze in winter. I hope this information helps you discover everything about the Black Sea.