Every Russian knows about a resort like Crete. Due to climatic features, you can relax here all year round. Summer on the island is dry and hot, winter is windy, moderately rainy, with an average temperature of +16 ° . The most comfortable vacation is from April to October.
But will schoolchildren be able to answer the question, which seas are in Crete? Most likely, many know only about the Mediterranean. But is it? If you look at the geographical map, it becomes clear that this statement is absolutely true. Yes, indeed, the island is located in the Mediterranean Sea. But it is also washed by other water areas, which are not even always displayed on maps. What are the seas of Crete? That is what we have to learn. But before delving into this issue, we will provide general information about the island itself.
Crete: a brief description
The Greek island of Crete is rightly called the largest. If we consider the features of the geographical location, then it refers to Europe (distance - 110 km). It is 300 km distant from mainland Africa, and 175 km far from Asia. What sea is Crete in? Of course, in the Mediterranean. Its area is more than 8000 square meters. km The coordinates on the geographical map are as follows: 35 ° 18′35 ″ s. w. 24 ° 53′36 ″ c. The coastline has a length of more than 1000 km. The main area of the economy is tourism. About 700 thousand people live on the island.
The relief of Crete is mainly represented by mountain ranges. Only coastal plains are lowland, plains are also rare. The seas of Crete are known to everyone, but the inland water resources on the island are insignificant. There are very few rivers, they are mainly small in size. There are also two fresh lakes here. The largest cities of Crete are the capital of Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon. A large number of the population is concentrated in them. Tourists come here not only to relax on the coast, but also to visit numerous attractions. There are many historical monuments on the island.
Mediterranean Sea
Studying the seas of Crete, first of all, it is worth highlighting the main water area - the Mediterranean Sea. It belongs to the intercontinental type. Belongs to the basin of the Atlantic Ocean, communicating with the Strait of Gibraltar. It is located between Asia, Europe and Africa. The area of this water area is 2500 square meters. km The average depth indicator is about 1500 m. But in the Central Basin it exceeds the mark of 5000 m.
In the Mediterranean Sea there are 7 large islands, including Crete. The coastline is different. Varies depending on the terrain. The low coast is represented by lagoon-estuary and delta shores, mountain - by abrasion. In winter, the water temperature is in the range from +8 ° to +17 ° , in summer it rises to + 25 ° ... + 30 ° . Due to the large evaporation in the Mediterranean Sea, a relatively high level of salinity. Given these indicators, this water area is one of the warmest and salty seas of the World Ocean. The color of the water is intensely blue, the transparency is quite large, it is about 50 m. Semidiurnal tides are observed. Their size varies from 1 m to 4 m. The largest waves can reach 7 m. Representatives of the fauna of the Mediterranean Sea are diverse, but the number of individual species is small. A white-bellied seal and sea turtles live in the water area. There are more than 500 species of fish.
Seas that make up the Mediterranean Sea
According to the IHO (International Hydrographic Organization), the Mediterranean Sea is divided into several smaller water areas. These are the Aegean, Ionian (Sea of Crete), Balearic, Tyrrhenian and others. It is interesting that some of them are not recognized by this organization. However, they have been known since ancient times. These water areas were given names. For example, those that wash Crete are Cretan, Libyan and Carpathian. In total, the Aegean includes six unrecognized seas. Their names are currently used, but the water area data is not displayed on the maps.
So, based on this information, we can conclude that the island of Crete is washed by four seas:
- West coast - Ionian.
- Eastern - Carpathian.
- The northern part of Crete is Aegean.
- South - Libyan.
The Ionian Sea, West Crete
Which sea washes the western side of the island? This is a small water area that is part of the Mediterranean, called the Ionian Sea. It is located between the islands of Crete (Greece) and Sicily (Italy), and also washes the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas . The area of the water mirror is almost 170 thousand square meters. km It is here that the deepest point of the Mediterranean Sea is located.
On average, the depths do not exceed 2000 m. The coastline is covered with shell rock or sand, which are replaced by silt. The bottom has the shape of a basin. In winter, the water temperature drops to +14 ° C. In the summer months, it is comfortable enough for swimming - an average of +25 ° . On the west side of the island is dominated by green vegetation. The resorts of Agia Marina, Maleme, Platanias and Gerani were built on the coast of the Ionian Sea.
Libyan Sea
Waters, which waters are washed by the southern coast of Crete? Libyan Sea. It is part of the Mediterranean. Also washed and the coast of Libya (Africa), which is why it got such a name. The coastline is very rugged. There are practically no sandy beaches, rocky formations prevail. The infrastructure on the coast is not very developed, since it is the Libyan Sea that is considered the coldest. Its temperature reaches a maximum in August, not exceeding +23 ° C. Off the coast, the water has a pale blue color, transparency - 50 m.
Aegean Sea
The northern part of the island is washed by the Aegean Sea. Its borders are Asia Minor, the Balkan Peninsula and the island of Crete. The sea covers an area of about 180 thousand square meters. km Its coastline, as a rule, consists of mountain formations. Depths range from 200 to 1000 m. The largest depression is in the south. Its depth is more than 2500 m. In the Aegean Sea, the level of salinity reaches 40 ppm. This figure is considered high. Summer water temperatures reach an average of +25 ° C. In winter, it cools to + 10 ... + 15 ° C. Starting from a depth of 350 m, the water temperature is kept at the same level all year round - +13 ° . Tides of no more than 60 cm are observed. The environmental problems of the Aegean are very acute. Basically, the water area is polluted by oil and wastewater.
Carpathian Sea, East Crete
The sea, which locals call the Carpathian Sea, is included in the waters of Cyprus. It is part of the Aegean. Although it is not recognized by an international organization, on the map it looks like an independent water area. The eastern coast of Crete, which is washed by the Carpathian Sea, has a wide variety of beaches from sandy to pebble. There are many small bays.
We can say that the east coast is not fully developed. However, this has its advantages. Sea turtles walk along the beaches, the water is crystal clear, there are no noisy companies, cleanliness and pristine nature are around. In summer, the water temperature rarely exceeds +22 ° C.