The geographical location of the Black Sea is perhaps known to every resident of our country. Why? The thing is that almost all of us at least once in our lives, but have been to its coast, well, or are planning to go there on our next vacation.
A map of the Black Sea of Russia shows that our country shares it with Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.
The location, history, climate, and characteristic features of this section of the oceans will be discussed in this article.
Section 1. General Information
If you look at the Black Sea on a world map, you can see that it belongs to the basin of the Atlantic Ocean and belongs to the internal type of seas. Its area is approximately 422.0 thousand square meters. km (according to other sources - 436.4 thousand sq. km).
Visually, the sea resembles the shape of an oval with the largest axis 1150 km. The maximum length from north to south is 580 km. The average depth is 1240 m and the greatest is 2210 m.
The ports of the Black Sea have a number of advantages, since the waters of this section of the oceans connect with the Marmara through the Bosphorus, then through the Dardanelles (Hellespont) - with the Mediterranean and Aegean, and the Kerch Strait - with the Sea of Azov.
The border line between Europe and Asia Minor passes through its waters . The Crimean peninsula deeply extends into the northern part of the sea.
Its waters are washed by the territories of several states at once: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and Bulgaria. In the northeast of the coast is a partially recognized state of Abkhazia.
The sea basin has a rare property. Its lower layers are filled with hydrogen sulfide, which is why life at a depth of over 150 m is completely absent (with the exception of certain types of bacteria).
The geographical location of the Black Sea is very successful. Why? The thing is that it has the most important economic and transport, strategic and military significance, and also belongs to the largest recreational zones of Eurasia. The main military bases of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are concentrated in the ports of Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.
Section 2. History of the Black Sea
Photos of the Black Sea, as a rule, attract attention, captivating with beauty and a certain infinity. But what do we really know about him?
First of all, one cannot fail to mention that this is a relatively young sea that has an unformed ecosystem that continues to develop: the water level is changing, new representatives of flora and fauna are appearing, and some are disappearing.
In the past, and this is about 8 thousand years ago, this sea was a lake at all. Its biosystem is highly susceptible to external influences - the influence of the climate or humans. Despite the fact that it is much smaller than the ocean and life in it is less diverse, the Black Sea coast and its ecology are of interest to scientists.
Section 3. What is the climate of the elements?
The climate of the Black Sea region is determined by the mid-continental location and mainly refers to the continental type. This region is characterized by warm, humid winters and dry summers. The southern coast of Crimea and the Caucasian coast are protected from the winds by the mountains, due to which there is a Mediterranean subtropical climate.
The geographical position of the Black Sea is such that Atlantic cyclones, which bring storms and cooling, have a significant influence on weather conditions. Southwestern winds are usually brought by humid Mediterranean air masses.
In January, the average temperature in the north is up to + 2 ° C, but there is a cold snap to -5 ° C, snow periodically falls. Much warmer on the southern coasts of Crimea and the Caucasus. It is rarely below + 5 ° C.
July air temperature in the north of the sea averages +25 - + 27 ° C. Thanks to the sea, the air temperature usually does not rise above 37 ° C.
The warmest corner of the Black Sea is the coast of the Caucasus, where on average + 17 ° C per year. The Caucasus coast has a greater amount of precipitation (1500 mm per year), the least in the north-west (up to 300 mm per year).
The Black Sea is not subject to freezing, water does not cool below +8 ° C.
Section 4. Indigenous Flora and Fauna
Have you ever wondered what kind of organisms inhabit the Black Sea? The characteristic shows that the flora of the Black Sea consists of more than 260 species of green, red bottom and brown algae: cladophore, ulva, cystozir, zoster, etc.
Sea phytoplankton includes about 600 species, among which there are diatoms and representatives of dinoflagellates (dinophysis, alexandrium, protoperidinium).
The fauna is less diverse compared to, for example, the Mediterranean. 2500 species of animals live in the waters of this sea, including 160 species of mammals and fish, up to 500 simple unicellular, 500 crustaceans, 200 mollusks, as well as other invertebrates. In the Mediterranean today, approximately 9,000 species live.
At the bottom of the sea, they found a haven of oysters and mussels, mollusk predators of the rapana. Among the coastal rocks and stones you can find crabs, there are jellyfish, shrimp, sea anemones and sponges.
The small number of wildlife is affected by salinity and water temperature, as well as the formation of hydrogen sulfide at depths. Nevertheless, the waters of the sea are suitable for the existence of unpretentious species for which depths are not required.
Section 5. What kind of resorts are on the Black Sea?
Russian resorts of the Black Sea coast are in the Krasnodar Territory. The most popular of them are Sochi, Anapa, Gelendzhik and Tuapse. The best motels and pensions have been built here.
Resorts are located on the Crimean peninsula: Yevpatoriya, Alushta, Yalta, Sudak, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Feodosiya, Black Sea and Sokolinoe. Paradise for relaxation are health resorts of Abkhazia. Odessa is one of the major tourist centers of Ukraine, which in recent years has become a real gem by the sea.
Sochi
Decided to go to the Black Sea? Traveler reviews unanimously declare that it is actually impossible not to visit here, and in fact there are many prerequisites for this.
First of all, we note that Sochi is the southernmost and warmest resort in Russia. And it is here, on the coast, that dozens of boarding houses and sanatoriums are located.
The beach season in Sochi lasts from May to mid-October. Sunny weather lasts 300 days a year. Favorable subtropical climate, mineral springs and mud have a healing effect on humans. Sanatoriums accept visitors throughout the year.
The nature of this region is unique and inimitable: mountain gorges with turbulent rivers, waterfalls and caves, cold lakes, impenetrable forests and alpine ski slopes. These places attract fans of outdoor activities and extreme sports.
Sochi is famous not only for beach holidays, but also for cultural attractions. There are many museums, theaters, entertainment centers, restaurants and nightclubs.
Yalta
One of the most famous resort towns of Crimea is Yalta. In addition, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
This is a modern resort of an amazing place called the Black Sea. The map shows that the beaches here are actually huge, with a length of 72 km.
The city is considered the capital of all Crimean resorts and an important administrative, cultural and tourist center on the southern coast of Crimea.
The abundance of sun and vegetation, warm sea and sand, clean air, mountains and a huge number of attractions create favorable conditions for recreation and recreation.
Abkhazia
In fact, it seems that God himself created these places for man to rest. The beach season lasts from May to October and 220 days a year you can enjoy the sun.
Sea water has a low salt content, transparency and is ideal for swimming. Tourist Abkhazia is a hospitable people, magnificent nature and many historical monuments.
It offers excursions to waterfalls, mineral springs and Lake Ritsa, karst caves and the ruins of the ancient city. The famous resorts of the region are Pitsunda, Gagra, Sukhum and Gudauta.
The tourism industry of Abkhazia is developing rapidly: old guest houses have been repaired and new comfortable hotels have been built, there are many restaurants and entertainment centers on the streets. One of the popular resort places is the city of Pitsunda, surrounded by pine forests, which create a special microclimate with a healing coniferous aroma.
Here, even in hot weather, it is fresh and cool. All pensions are located in a picturesque bay near the sea.
Section 6. Water movement in the Black Sea
It is believed that the ports of the Black Sea have a lot of advantages. Let’s explain why. Usually this part of the world's oceans is quiet and calm. Waves appear in windy weather, most often in winter. Their height can reach 15 m, which is dangerous only for small vessels. The tides do not exceed 10 cm and are almost invisible.
In general, there are two types of currents in the sea - surface and double. The former are caused by the cyclone type of winds, while the latter are formed in the Bosphorus and Kerch straits and are caused by the difference in water density in the two basins.
Surface-type flows form two closed rings. The western ring narrows to the south and is about 100 km wide opposite the Danube Delta. The speed of this current is almost 0.5 km / h. The eastern ring reaches 50-100 km and has a speed of up to 1 km / h.
The dual current in the Bosphorus arises due to the water exchange between the Black and Marmara Seas. The lighter and less salty water of the Black Sea enters the Sea of Marmara at a speed of up to 2 km, and in return receives the more saline water of the Sea of Marmara in its lower course.
Another double current is formed between the Black and Azov Seas. At the same time, the desalinated water of the Sea of Azov falls into the Black Sea by the upper stream, receiving, in return, more salty water.
In addition to horizontal currents, there are vertical currents bounded by the upper layers of water (up to 80 m).
Section 7. Threats to the sea: winds and mists
The geographical location of the Black Sea clearly indicates that fogs appear above the coast or coast mainly during the cold season. During the land invasion of cold sea air, fog forms above the sea near the coast.
It usually appears on the coast in spring. The greatest nebula is observed in winter, especially in the Bosphorus Strait (up to 80 days a year). However, there are continuous fogs. For example, in winter in Odessa they last up to 10 days. Photos of the Black Sea, taken in such weather, are distinguished by special romanticism and mystery.
The strength and speed of the wind at sea is greater than on the coast. When cyclones appear above the sea, moist air becomes vertically unstable, forming vortex winds and tornadoes, which are dangerous for small vessels. The wind speed in winter reaches from 3 to 40 m / s. Sometimes there are storms. Night winds bring coolness to the coast.
Section 8. Why are the Black Sea currents dangerous?
However, the Black Sea can also be insidious and merciless, the characteristic of this section of the world ocean clearly indicates the existence of a variable current here, directed around the entire perimeter counterclockwise.
The current forms two rings, called “Knipovich’s glasses” (in honor of the hydrologist who described this phenomenon). The speed of movement depends on the rotation of the Earth. Also, the strength and direction of the wind influence the change in current . Sometimes in the coastal zones vortices arise, directed against the main current (anticyclonic cycles).
The movement of the upper alongshore currents is variable and is determined by the wind. One of these currents is called the draft, which is formed during a storm. The waves running onto the shore recede in powerful currents along the channels formed on the sandy bottom. Such streams are very dangerous for people and can carry away from the coast. To get out of them, you need to swim to the coast not in a straight line, but on a diagonal.
Section 9. Why is the sea restless? Ancient legend
The Black Sea on the world map, even on the oldest, is visible very well. That is why, apparently, they have known about him for a long time, adding up myths and retelling epics. And here is one of them.
In antiquity, there lived one brave hero, about whose courage legends were composed. Once the old magician decided to give him a magic arrow, whose magical power depended on the intentions of man. Once in the hands of a villain, she could bring a lot of misfortune on earth. The hero never used it unnecessarily and for personal gain. Growing older, he began to look for someone to whom he could trust the arrow. But only to a worthy master could her secret be revealed.
Then the hero decided to hide the weapon in the Black Sea and asked his sons to take it to its very center. He knew that the first time they did not fulfill his order, and sent them again. The sons did the will of the father and lowered the arrow to the bottom of the sea. This angered the sea, it began to make noise and to this day is trying to throw an arrow ashore.
Section 10. Does the Black Sea get warmer?
Can you tell exactly where the Black Sea is? The map shows that it should be considered the southernmost maritime border of our state. And, of course, it is also the warmest. However, there is an opinion that the temperature in it gradually rises. Is it really?
The Black Sea (the Krasnodar Territory is taken as the basis of the study) is filled with hydrogen sulfide, which means that only coastal and surface water layers are suitable for life. By the way, because of this, it belongs to one of the most inhabited seas of the world.
Also, global warming negatively affects the ecosystem of the sea, which led to an increase in air temperature in winter and incomplete cooling of the upper layers of the sea. And this, in turn, complicates the process of vertical rotation of the upper layers of water to a depth to maintain the boundaries of hydrogen sulfide.
The warming led to the fact that the hydrogen sulfide zone rose to the surface of the sea by almost 12 meters and these waters became lifeless. The volume of oxygen-enriched water continues to decrease, which causes environmentalists to worry. So, the Black Sea, whose coordinates are 43 ° 17′49 ″ s. w. 34 ° 01′46 ″ c. D., most likely, will continue to warm.