Sea of Marmara

Sea of Marmara
Map of the Sea of Marmara.
Photograph of the Sea of Marmara from space (STS-40, 1991). The sea is the light-colored body of water.
This astronaut photograph highlights the metropolitan area of Izmit along the northern and eastern shores of the Sea of Marmara, at the end of the Gulf of Izmit.

The Sea of Marmara /ˈmɑrmərə/ (Greek: Θάλασσα του Μαρμαρά, Turkish: Marmara Denizi), also known as the Sea of Marmora or the Marmara Sea, and in the context of classical antiquity as the Propontis (Greek: Προποντίς), is the inland sea that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, thus separating Turkey's Asian and European parts. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Black Sea and the Dardanelles strait to the Aegean. The former also separates Istanbul into its Asian and European sides. The Sea has an area of 11,350 km² (280 km x 80 km)[1] with the greatest depth reaching 1,370 m.

Contents

Geography

The salinity of the sea averages about 22 parts per thousand, which is slightly greater than that of the Black Sea but only about two-thirds that of most oceans. However, the water is much more saline at the sea-bottom, averaging salinities of around 38 parts per thousand — similar to that of the Mediterranean Sea. This high-density saline water, like that of the Black Sea itself, does not migrate to the surface. Water from the Susurluk, Biga (Granicus) and Gonen Rivers also reduces the salinity of the sea, though with less influence than on the Black Sea. With little land in Thrace draining southward, almost all of these rivers flow from Anatolia.

There are two major island groups known as the Princes' and Marmara islands (including Avşa and Paşalimanı).

The south coast of the sea is heavily indented, and includes the Gulf of Izmit (Turkish: İzmit Körfezi), the Gulf of Gemlik (Turkish: Gemlik Körfezi) and the Gulf of Erdek (Turkish: Erdek Körfezi). During a storm on December 29, 1999, the Russian oil tanker Volgoneft broke in two in the Sea of Marmara, and more than 1500 tonnes of oil were spilled into the water.

The North Anatolian fault, which has triggered many major earthquakes in recent years, such as the İzmit Earthquake of 1999, runs under the sea.

Extent

The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Sea of Marmara as follows:[2]

On the West. The Dardanelles limit of the Ægean Sea [A line joining Kum Kale (26°11'E) and Cape Helles].

On the Northeast. A line joining Cape Rumili with Cape Anatoli (41°13'N).

Name

The sea takes its name from the island of Marmara, which is rich in sources of marble, from the Greek μάρμαρον (marmaron), "marble".[3]

The sea's ancient Greek name Propontis derives from pro (before) and pont- (sea), deriving from the fact that the Greeks sailed through it to reach the Black Sea. In Greek mythology, a storm on Propontis brought the Argonauts back to an island they had left, precipitating a battle where either Jason or Heracles killed King Cyzicus, who mistook them for his Pelasgian enemies.[4]

Towns and cities

Towns and cities on the Marmara Sea coast include:

See also

Gallery

References

External links

Coordinates: 40°45′N 28°00′E / 40.75°N 28°E / 40.75; 28


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sea of Marmara — Sea of Mar|ma|ra the Sea of Marmara an ↑inland (=surrounded by land) sea in northwest Turkey, between the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Sea of Marmara — Sp Mármuro jūra Ap Marmara Denizi turkiškai Ap Sea of Marmara angliškai L Turkijoje …   Pasaulio vietovardžiai. Internetinė duomenų bazė

  • Sea of Marmara — sea in the northeastern part of Turkey (near the borders of Greece and Bulgaria)n. inland sea in north west Turkey connected to the Black Sea by the Bosporus and connected to the Aegean by the Dardanelles …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Sea of Marmara — noun an inland sea in northwestern Turkey; linked to the Black Sea by the Bosporus and linked to the Aegean by the Dardanelles • Syn: ↑Marmara, ↑Marmara Denizi, ↑Marmora, ↑Sea of Marmora • Instance Hypernyms: ↑sea …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sea of Marmara — noun A deep inland sea in north western Turkey connecting the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea via the straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles. Syn: Marmara, Propontis …   Wiktionary

  • Marmara Region — The Marmara Region (Turkish: Marmara Bölgesi), with a surface area of 67.000 km², is the smallest but most densely populated of the seven geographical regions of Turkey. It represents approximately 8.6% of the Turkish national territory and about …   Wikipedia

  • Marmara — may refer to: Places Greece Marmara, Greece, a beach in Chania Prefecture, Crete Turkey Marmara District, a district in Balıkesir Province, Marmara Marmara Island, an island in Balıkesir Province, Marmara Marmara Region, a region comprising 11… …   Wikipedia

  • Marmara Hotel Istanbul (Istanbul) — Marmara Hotel Istanbul country: Turkey, city: Istanbul (City Centre / Taksim District) Marmara Hotel Istanbul Built on the highest one of Istanbul s seven hills, The Marmara Hotel offers guests a view as far as the eye can see, encompassing the… …   International hotels

  • Marmara — →↑Sea of marmara …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Marmara Island — Aerial view of the island Marmara is a Turkish island in the Sea of Marmara. It is the largest island in the Sea of Marmara that is the center of Marmara district in Balıkesir Province. Transportation is possible from Istanbul by ship and ferry,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”