The smallest sea in terms of area. The depths of the Black Sea waters. The largest and smallest island in the world

There are a huge number of seas on our Earth. All of them differ from each other in their size, depth, location, composition of water and marine life. Some seas are warm, others are cold, there are very large ones, deep seas, but there are very small ones. And which of the seas is the smallest on our planet?

The deepest sea in the world - Azov. It refers to the system mediterranean sea Atlantic Ocean and is located in Eastern Europe, washes part of the territory of Ukraine and Russia.

Southern part of the sea Kerch Strait connects with the Black Sea. Its depth is only 13.5 meters, the total water surface area is 37,800 square meters. km, and the length of the sea stretches for 380 km, the width is 200 km. This shallow sea is partially covered with ice in cold winters, the summer water temperature reaches up to +28.5°C.

Periodically, strong storms are noted at sea, despite the shallow depth, there were cases when during strong storms people drowned sea ​​vessels.

The waters of the Sea of ​​Azov are heavily polluted with waste from industrial enterprises and cities located along the coast.

Seashores are sandy, flat, on south coast there are hills volcanic origin, passing into steep mountains. On the coast of the Sea of ​​​​Azov there are resorts, health resorts, recreation centers with beaches.

The waters of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov are muddy, the salinity of the water is three times less than the salinity of the ocean, since the water is desalinated by rivers, especially the Don and Kuban seas are rich in marine life. More than a hundred species of commercial fish live in its waters, such as gobies, sprat, flounder, pike, ide, ram, sterlet, horse mackerel, herring.

There are also the most valuable commercial species - beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, and other types of fish. Of the mammals in the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov, there is a harbor porpoise or an Azov dolphin.

A sea is a part of the World Ocean, separated from it by land, islands or underwater relief. There are about 90 seas on Earth. All of them are unlike each other. The differences are in the composition and temperature of the water, depth, bottom topography, flora and fauna, the presence of islands and archipelagos. The key parameter by which these reservoirs are compared is size.

Top 10 smallest seas in the world

1. Marble.
2. Ligurian.
3. Japanese.
4. Davis.
5. Azov.
6. Bali.
7. Irish.
8. Alboran.
9. Halmahera.
10. Balearic.

Officially the smallest sea on Earth recognized Marble. It is considered inland, as it is sandwiched between Europe and Asia and is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Dardanelles (in the southwest). It communicates with the Black Pond by the Bosporus Strait (in the northeast). Thanks to this strait, the Black and Azov Seas have access to the World Ocean.

In administrative-territorial terms, it is completely located on the territory of Turkey. Sea of ​​Marmara It has tectonic origin - it was formed at the fault between the continents of Africa and Eurasia. The water area of ​​the reservoir has a shape elongated in the latitudinal direction.

Interesting to know: How many exist on Earth?

Figures and facts about the smallest sea on the planet

• Area - 11,472 km 2
• Length - 20 km.
• Width - 80 km.
• Volume - 4,000 km 3
• Maximum depth - 1,355 m
• Salinity - 38 ‰ at the bottom, 26 ‰ at the surface. According to this indicator, it is similar to the Mediterranean. Salinity is much higher than in the Black Sea and lower than in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Water temperature - 29°С (summer), 9°С (winter)

Terrain and climate

The shores of the reservoir are rocky, several mountain ranges stretch along them. Since it is located in a seismically active zone, here earthquakes often occur. The bottom has three deep basins, more than half of the bottom area is occupied by the coastal shelf with depths up to 100 m. Major bays- Izmitsky and Gemliksky. The largest in the water area are the Princes' Islands, the island of Marmara. north coast dotted underwater reefs. From the Asian side, small rivers Granik and Susurluk flow here.

The smallest sea by area is located in subtropical climate zone . In the warm season, hot air prevails here, which comes from the continent. Peak summer temperatures occur in July and August. average temperature air above the water surface is 25-28 ° C, it rarely drops below 12 ° C, which is very uncharacteristic for the same latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean.

In summer, sultry weather reigns in the shallow sea with slight winds and clear skies. In autumn, the winds become more frequent, the humidity of the air rises significantly, but compared to the ocean, the weather here is much milder.

Animal and plant world

The fauna of the smallest sea is similar to the Mediterranean. Fishing is developed here, due to the fact that 500 species of fish live in the waters. Among them are many commercial ones:

1. Mackerel.
2. Anchovy.
3. Horse mackerel.
4. Mullet.
5. Tuna.

It is not so often possible to meet representatives of the animal world of the ocean here, however, there are sea ​​turtles, seals, oysters, octopuses and squids, crabs, spiny lobsters, red corals and sponges. In 1999, the Russian tanker Volgoneft-248 sank in the Sea of ​​Marmara near Istanbul, causing spilled a significant amount of oil. This caused significant damage to the animal and flora region.

Water level

Since the smallest sea in the world is far from the ocean, there are practically no ebbs and flows in it - the fluctuation of the water level is calculated by several centimeters. Also, atmospheric processes practically do not affect the water level. Annual fluctuations are imperceptible as in coastal areas, as well as at depth.

Since the surface of the water is dominated by light winds, unlike the ocean, storms are rare here. The waves here are also not as big as in the larger seas of the planet. The largest waves reach a height of 1.5 meters. Most often they are found in the southwestern part during the cold season. In summer, the surface of the water is completely calm.

Story

Since pre-antique times, the banks of the reservoir have been densely populated. Name geographical feature originated from the island of Marmara, which is rich in white marble. The area is also well lit. in ancient Greek literature. So, the famous Argonauts plowed these waters, and there were also fighting during the Scythian war.

First scientific description the reservoir was made by the Russian captain-lieutenant M.P. Manganari. Representatives of the Russian geographical society, including S.O. Makarov and I.B. Spindler. Of the entire World Ocean, the Marmara Sea is one of the most well-studied.

The shores of the small sea are the most densely populated in Turkey. largest port water areas - Istanbul. Thanks to the surface of the water does not freeze in winter, industry, trade and tourism are well developed here. Travelers from all over the world are attracted by numerous historical sights. Since large highways, it is very polluted.

Three bridges have been thrown across the straits that connect Europe and Asia - Osman Gazi, Canakkale, Sultan Suleiman.

So, the smallest sea in the world is the Sea of ​​Marmara. It is far from the ocean, which determined the peculiarities of its hydrology. For example, unlike the ocean, there are no strong storms, fluctuations in water levels and waves. This unique place perfect for recreation and tourism, as you can see for yourself!

Sea of ​​Marmara is inland sea located on the continent. This is the link between black And Aegean seas. The Sea of ​​Marmara separates Asia from Europe. This is the smallest sea on the planet: its length is only 280 kilometers, the width of the sea is 80 kilometers. But this small sea is also very deep - 1370 meters!

It is believed that Sea of ​​Marmara arose at the site of a fault in the earth's crust. This very fault divided the once united continent into Europe, Africa and Asia. Tsunamis and earthquakes often occur on the Sea of ​​Marmara.

Earthquakes have been recorded here since 1300 BC. e. For the entire period of the existence of the sea and its waters, it was shaken up to 300 times. Tsunami there were not so many - only 40. The last tsunami happened on August 17, 1999. After the earthquake in the region of the Anatolian fault, on Sea of ​​Marmara a tsunami arose, the waves of which reached 2.5 meters.


According to geologists, a strong earthquake will occur near Istanbul in 2030. And if the government of the country does not take any action, then Turkey may lose 75 thousand people killed and gain more than 1 million homeless citizens.

Do you know which is the smallest sea in the world? It is very difficult for scientists to come to a consensus. They still continue to argue about which bodies of water should be considered seas, which lakes, and which bays. Only one thing is known for sure: out of a huge number of water basins, only 59 are recognized as seas. Of these, the Marmara Sea is the smallest in terms of area.

A bit of geography

The Sea of ​​Marmara is a link between the Black Sea and the Aegean. The strait connecting the large Black Sea with the small Sea of ​​Marmara is called the Bosphorus. With it is connected. Still, the sea can be considered a kind of feature that separates Asia and Europe. The area of ​​the water basin is less than 11 thousand square meters. km.

Such a definition as the smallest sea in the world does not mean that it is also the smallest. The fact is that the sea arose as a result of a break in the earth's crust, which, in fact, divided a single continent into Asia, Europe and Africa. This explains the fact that the depth in some places is very solid - up to 14 km. And because of the ongoing tectonic processes in the Sea of ​​Marmara, earthquakes and, as a result, tsunamis often occur.

A bit of history

The name of the sea comes from a rich marble deposit found on the island of Marmara. It was from here that this stone was transported around the world. And since marble as a building and finishing material was in great demand, the name of the place where it was delivered from was on everyone's lips. When translated from Greek into English and Russian, the word was modified from sea of ​​marmara to the Sea of ​​Marmara.

The Sea of ​​Marmara was the crossroads of busy trade arteries between Europe and Asia. On its shores, the largest civilizations developed and disappeared. And the power over the connecting straits promised unlimited possibilities.

Temperature and other features

The smallest sea in the world has enough salt water. The salt content here is much higher than in the waters of the Black Sea. However, a denser mass of saline waters is located at a depth and does not mix with surface, less saline waters.

The Sea of ​​Marmara on the map has very indented shores. Here is located a large number of bays and coves. The northern coast has many underwater reefs, which makes navigation difficult, but attracts a stream of tourists.

Winter temperature sea ​​water not more than 10º C, and in summer it can exceed 29º C. These data refer to surface water, the depth of which is about 20 m. Deep waters have a much lower temperature.

Who lives here

Fauna Sea of ​​Marmara not too varied. Its composition is close to the Mediterranean. Commercial fish species are caught here, such as:

• horse mackerel;
• mackerel;
• bonito;
• striped mullet;
• sole;
• anchovy.

Many species of commercial fish migrate with the onset of cooling to more warm waters Black Sea.

Resorts and attractions of the Marmara Sea

Despite the fact that we are talking about the smallest sea in the world, an inexhaustible flow of tourists passes here every year. On its banks is one of most beautiful cities peace - Istanbul. This city has been and will always be of interest to people. Here you can see the unique interweaving of living history and modern technologies. But besides Istanbul, many more tourists are attracted picturesque resorts Marmara Sea.

Hereby paradise can be considered the resorts of the city of Bursa. Here, guests are immersed in a pronounced national flavor and admire a variety of natural landscapes. In a short period of time, you can visit snowy peaks, fall on sea ​​coast, visit the green plains and admire the picturesque waterfalls.

The most visited resort of the Marmara Sea can be considered Erdek. Here is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches with a total length of almost 12 km.

Resorts of the Sea of ​​Marmara - a mixture of styles and eras. Here everyone finds interesting activity. And thanks unique nature and a high level of service, interest in the coast is growing every year.

Have you ever wondered how many seas there are on our planet? And how big are they? From geography lessons, we remember about the largest seas on the planet. And which ones are at the very bottom of the list?

The smallest seas in the world ocean

By the way, the largest sea on Earth is the Philippine Sea. It was in it that scientists discovered the deepest Mariana Trench, which still continues to amaze them with its riddles and secrets. It contains the most deep point in the world, open by people- Challenger Abyss.

But back to those seas that geographers have classified as the smallest. In fact, the position of scientists is ambiguous, since according to different classifications of the seas, their list may differ. Some bodies of water that were considered seas already belong to lakes, and vice versa - there are bays that are considered seas.

Off the coast of Antarctica is the Davis Sea, which covers an area of ​​​​only 21 thousand square kilometers. Of course, it is not intended for swimming, because even in summer the air temperature in this place is minus 12-16 degrees Celsius. And the weather there is overcast, with frequent snowfalls.

But the Savu Sea, which is only slightly larger than the Davis Sea in area, belongs to Indian Ocean. It is located between several islands that are part of Malay archipelago. And in this sea you can splash even all year round - the water temperature on the surface is as much as 26-28 degrees. This sea is also notable for the fact that almost half of all whales migrate through it.

The shallowest seas

The Sea of ​​Azov owes this feature primarily to its location. It is located deep in the land of the mainland, and its bottom is mostly flat, without depressions or elevations. The Sea of ​​Azov is widely popular among vacationers, as the air temperature in summer season is about 25-27 degrees. Fishing is also widely developed in this sea.

In the list of the most shallow seas the world are including the Persian Gulf, the greatest depth of which is 90 meters; Yellow Sea - 106 meters; The Chukchi Sea - 160 meters and the Irish Sea - 175 meters of maximum depth.

The smallest sea in Russia

coast White Sea are predominantly sheer cliffs. Numerous birds like to nest in them, arranging the so-called "bird markets". To spend their mating season on the coast of this harsh sea, many seabirds travel great distances.

The water in the White Sea is relatively warm and summer time reaches 18 degrees. That's why locals and tourists enjoy spending time on its beaches. unusual nature And unique fauna of this place make the White Sea an attractive place for people who prefer a non-standard vacation.

The smallest sea in the world

The area of ​​the Sea of ​​Marmara is only 11 thousand square kilometers. But it cannot be called shallow, its depth is only half the depth of its neighbor, Aegean Sea, and is 1355 meters. The sea is of great transit importance for many countries, because it connects almost two worlds - Asia and Europe. The bridge connecting them is only 1.5 kilometers long and is located in the Bosphorus.

Its tourist value cannot be overestimated. Numerous vacationers enjoy visiting the islands located in this sea. On the notorious island of Marmara, guests are waiting for gorgeous beaches, and the island of Buyukada is interesting in that it has preserved the local flavor, since it is forbidden to build modern buildings on it. It is not even allowed to travel by car here, and the main transport is horse-drawn carts and bicycles.

The Sea of ​​Marmara also has a great attraction for swimming enthusiasts. Annual swims for those wishing to cross the Bosphorus have become almost a tradition. Hundreds of participants and thousands of fans gather for this event. But the Sea of ​​Marmara itself submitted to brave swimmers! Ukrainian marathon swimmers Anatoly Vyalets and Oleg Sofyanik were able to overcome 105 kilometers of the water surface in 33 hours.

It should be noted that the Sea of ​​Marmara is also quite dangerous, since it still retains high seismic activity. Big waves- not uncommon for its waters. And earthquakes happen with an enviable frequency. Therefore, be careful when going on vacation to these places.

The site has a detailed article about the largest seas in Russia.
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