Do you know that the Black Sea is also called ‘The Euxine Sea’ and that October 31 is celebrated as ‘International Black Sea Day’? You must be wondering why the Black Sea is called ‘Black’ and what components make it look black.
Top 10 Facts About the Black Sea You Should Know
The Black Sea has been one of the most favourite places for scientists and visitors because of its view and other features that make it special. It is a marginal water body of the Atlantic Ocean situated between Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It has been considered one of the most dangerous seas since vicious communities settled its shores.
Additionally, the oxygen-free Black seawater results in a slower procedure of disintegration in the lower layer of the water, which has resulted in leaving numerous rumors about the Black Sea, making it infamous. With the passing years, the image of the Black Sea has turned out to be one of the most stimulating and uncongenial water bodies that has ever existed.
A habitat for rich and attractive Flora and Fauna, the Black Sea has turned out to be one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the entire world. Now, let’s explore some of the interesting facts about the Black Sea which you must know: –
1. The Black Sea is Termed as “Black”
Well, there are many factors and theories of how this sea has gotten this particular name. However, this particular name is still the most famous one. Let’s have a look at different theories delivered behind the name of ‘Black Sea’:
One theory suggests that the Black Sea was earlier called as ‘Inhospitable Sea’ because of the inhabitants of savage tribes on the shores.
While some of the ancient documents suggest that it was called ‘Karadeniz or Bahr-e Siyah’ during the time of the Ottoman Empire, which means ‘The Black Sea’ in the official Ottoman Turkish language.
One of the hypothetical theories suggests many reasons behind the name of the ‘Black Sea’. As per one theory, the storms that appeared during the winters make the water appear black in the sea, as a result of which the sailors named it ‘The Black Sea’.
2. Black Sea: The Geographical Wonder
You must be surprised to know that the ‘Black Sea’ has boundaries with six countries. If we go by anticlockwise from the North direction, you will see the following countries: –
- Ukraine
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Turkey
- Georgia
- Russia
Among the various boundaries, the Black Sea shares the shortest coastline of 225 km with Romania and the longest route of 1,329 km with Turkey.
3. Black Sea: The Historical Trade Epicentre
Trading and travelling over the sea has always been considered the cheapest and fastest mode than any other method. For a longer duration, the region of the Black Sea was considered a centre for trade as the goods used to move between the various regions, such as the’ Mediterranean and Interior Europe’ and ‘Europe and Asia’. Later, the network was expanded by the Romans and started moving olive oil, grains, and other essential items through the sea route.
This movement started when the Greek colonists built the settlement (eg, Byzantium was earlier a Thracian Settlement) alongside coastal areas. In a conventional relic, it became a Greek city, and as late antiquity started, Byzantium was called Constantinople, which is now known as ‘Istanbul’.
4. An Ultimate Tourist Attraction
The Black Sea delivers some of the most exotic views and astonishing landscapes on the planet. The northern coast of the Black Sea includes valleys and rivers, which are captured by small sandy spits on the seashores. The northern region has some amazing and breathtaking views of the mountains and beaches. Whereas on the southern coast of the Black Sea, the physiography is quite steep.
The different topographies on the coastal areas of the Black Sea deliver some amazing views and experiences where millions of tourists are attracted to spend their vacation by enjoying the nightlife, delicacies, along with archaeological sites, historical facts, and many more.
5. The Black Sea: Inhabitants and Aquatic Life
The Black Sea is a hotspot for Biodiversity as it offers a home to many aquatic lives which includes inhabitants of more than 2,500 animal kingdom. It consists of rare inhabitants’s Spiny dogfish, Sea Dragon (the most poisonous fish), and many more.
If we look at the marine life, the Black Sea consists of more than 270 species of multicellular plants and 600 species of phytoplankton (probably called as the Night Shiner with an ability to phosphoresce).
6. Plenty of Resources
The Black Sea consists of an abundance of valuable resources such as natural gas, oil, which are available in the coastal areas of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Other important resources, such as manganese, gold, copper, etc., are also found, which have somehow helped in supporting the economies.
However, it is of utmost importance that these extraction activities should be sustainable to prevent the adverse effects on the region of the Black Sea.
7. Continental Climate
The Climate of the northwestern and southwestern parts of the Black Sea experiences some seasonal variations, as you may experience cold winters and hot summers in the northwestern part, while the winters are quite warm and summers are a bit humid in the Southern region.
8. Distinctive Hydrology
The Black Sea has distinctive hydrology as it can be understood with a layered structure, and each layer has a different characteristic. The deepest water layer does not mix with the uppermost layer as it contains less oxygen. These oxygen-rich layers support the life of many distinctive species in the water.
Whereas 90% of the subterranean Black Sea is anoxic because of the inability of oxygen to penetrate the deepest layer of the water, which starts from 150-200 meters below the surface level. These anoxic layers do not support much life as a result of which it does not support much life.
9. A Sea of Mythologies
The Black Sea has its own interesting stories of many mythologies and legends. According to the Greek Mythologies, some of the fearless female warriors inhabited the sea known as the Amazon warriors, and it was believed that Themiscyra (a city on the southern coast) was believed to be its capital.
It is also believed that the Georgian traditions were followed in the Black Sea, which was believed to be a home for sea gods who had enormous power.
10. A Paradise to the Fisherman’s
The Black Sea is a paradise for fishermen as a lot many fish species are found in the fish which creates food and job security for the locals around the fishing ground. In all, a total of 180 species are found in the black sea, and there are some rare fish species in the black sea, such as mackerel, sprat, and anchovies.
However, the ecosystem of the Black Sea is severely affected because of excessive fishing activities, pollution, releasing waste water from the industries. It is of utmost importance for all individuals to address this serious issue.
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