The land border of Europe and Asia passes through the mountains, the Urals and the Caucasus, and the sea - through the waters of several seas and the Bosphorus. About which sea connects to the Bosphorus Marble Strait, the article will discuss it.
Bosphorus: Origin
A touching ancient Greek myth is associated with the name of the strait between the shores of Europe and Asia. Zeus once fell in love with the beautiful girl Io, who was the daughter of a river god. To avoid the wrath of Hera, the wife of Zeus, Io, adopting the image of a cow, threw herself into the waters of the strait, which has since been called the Cow (bull) ford, or the Bosphorus. Many do not suspect which sea connects to the Bosphorus Marble Strait. The sea, which is connected with the Marmara via the Bosphorus, is Black.
The formation of the strait is explained by the Black Sea flood, which happened about 8 thousand years ago. He connected two seas: since then, the Bosphorus (Strait) has been connecting the Black and Marmara Seas. Another version of the formation of the strait is the flooding of the river bed. Both versions have scientific evidence: the bottom topography and features of the flora are explained by the first point of view, and the presence of a double stream, fresh and salty, is explained by the second.
Bosphorus: meaning
The strait has an exceptional geographical position. It delimits Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus, the strait leading from the Black Sea to the Marmara and vice versa, is the only way from the Black Sea to the World Ocean. Thus, the Bosphorus has an important geopolitical significance. The waters of the Bosphorus transit goods from Europe, in particular from the Black Sea countries (Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus states) to Africa, North and South America, and vice versa. Which sea connects to the Bosphorus Marble Strait? This is the Black, inland sea, for which this strait with a length of about 30 km is a strategically important route of communication with the open Mediterranean.
Dardanelles
In order to reach the oceans of the ships sailing to the Sea of Marmara (which sea is connected to the Bosphorus Strait of Marble, it is said above), it is necessary to overcome not only the Bosphorus, but also another, no less significant strait - the Dardanelles. This is a set of straits connecting the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean and further with the Mediterranean. It is twice as long as the Bosphorus. The Dardanelles and the Bosphorus are equally important geographical, economic, and political sites.
Bosphorus and Turkey
On both sides of the strait is the territory occupied by Turkey. The Bosphorus Strait was repeatedly closed by the Turkish authorities for political and economic reasons. Foreign vessels passed through the Bosphorus only after obtaining a special license from Turkey. Due to such a policy, conflicts between the Black Sea states and Turkey periodically arise. Currently, the waters of the Bosphorus are considered open, but the Turkish authorities reserved the right to restrict passage through the strait of military vessels and ships of non-Black Sea countries.
Bosphorus and Istanbul
The history of one of the oldest cities on the planet, Istanbul, is directly connected with the Bosphorus. The location of Istanbul is unique: its territory is located both in Europe and in Asia, and the Bosphorus serves as a natural border between two parts of the world and the city. At the same time, the European part of the city is the main cultural and historical center where the majority of the population lives. The city of Istanbul (aka Constantinople, Constantinople, Byzantium) is also mentioned in ancient Russian chronicles as the place where Orthodoxy came from on Russian soil. This city, in the heart of which the Bosphorus is located, has the largest population in Europe. Perhaps this is due to its good location, with its rich history and unique culture.
The Bosphorus makes Istanbul the busiest sea route in the world. For example, the load on the Suez Canal, connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, is three times less. Vessels from the Black Sea countries continuously cruise along the Bosphorus.
Such congestion has a significant impact on the ecology of the city. Rarely, oil spills from tankers passing through the Black Sea happen. Ships, cars, a large number of enterprises pollute the ecology of Istanbul. On the shore of the Bosphorus, a splashing of waves is not heard due to noise pollution, and at night, stars are rarely visible from the city due to light oversaturation. However, the environmental situation in Istanbul does not stop the multi-million flow of tourists. After all, the city is truly unique.
Sights of Istanbul on the Bosphorus
Imagine Istanbul without numerous ferries and vapors, cruising from one coast of the Bosphorus to another, it is impossible. The population of the city can not do without this transport, because a significant part of the population from the Asian part of Istanbul visits the European daily. Vapors and ferries create a special flavor of the city. They also help tourists get to some attractions located on the banks of the Bosphorus.
From the coastline, tourists can enjoy the views of the palaces Dolmakhche, Yildiz, Bukoleon, the ruins of the Vlaharn Palace, numerous fortresses and castles.
The main one is the Topkana Palace Museum - perhaps the most magnificent palace of the Ottoman sultans, occupying the extreme point of Cape Sarayburnu, which is washed by the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.
Istanbul, in which pleasures and dangers coexist, fascinates with its beauty, ancient and fascinating history, special culture. However, tankers carrying petroleum products and other hazardous substances cause concern. The relief and coastline of the Bosphorus are difficult for large ships to navigate. But highly skilled pilots help to avoid disasters on the Bosphorus.