The Black Sea belongs to the Atlantic Ocean basin. This is an inland sea, along the water area of which there is a conditional line dividing Asia Minor and Europe. The Bosphorus Strait unites its waters with the Sea of Marmara, and the Kerch Strait - with the Azov Strait. It communicates with the Mediterranean and Aegean seas through the Dardanelles.
Black sea map
The Crimean Peninsula is located in the northern part of the Black Sea. In the south, the expanse of water narrows due to the Anatolian ledge. The minimum distance of 270 km is observed between the Kerempe (Anatolia) and Sarych (Crimea) capes.
The Black Sea washes the coast of several countries and is famous for its first-class resorts:
- Yalta, Sevastopol, Evpatoria, Koktebel (Crimea);
- Sochi, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, Anapa (the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus);
- Gagra, Sukhumi (Abkhazia);
- Odessa, Ukraine);
- Varna, Sunny Beach, Burgas (Bulgaria);
- Istanbul, Trabzon (Turkey);
- Batumi (Georgia);
- Constanta (Romania).
Climatic features
The Black Sea is influenced by the continental climate. But the southern Crimean coasts and areas of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus are under the influence of the Mediterranean mild climate, as they are protected by the mountains from northern winds. Subtropical humid climate is observed southeast of Tuapse.
The Atlantic Ocean also affects the climatic conditions in the Black Sea region. Cyclones are formed above it, which bring storms. In the region of Novorossiysk, on the northeastern coast, the mountains are low. Therefore, the northern cold air masses freely penetrate into the interior of the continent. Due to this, a bora or a powerful cold wind (nord-ost) is formed in this area. The Black Sea coast here is subject to the negative impact of the elements. A strong storm in winter is accompanied by significant ice and frost.
Most of the sea area is dominated by dry and hot summers, humid and warm winters. Warm Mediterranean air masses bring southwestern winds to the Black Sea region.
In the middle of winter, the water temperature does not exceed 13 degrees in the hottest place (Mersin Gulf). In the main resorts (Sochi, Anapa and Gelendzhik) in January the temperature is 9-11 degrees. The water in Yalta is slightly colder. With the arrival of summer, hot weather sets in. In Yalta in summer, the average water temperature is 25 degrees, the water is slightly cooler in Anapa, Tuapse and Gelendzhik. In the Black Sea, the average temperature in June is 23 degrees.
Weather forecast for cities and resorts of Crimea
Inhabitants of the sea
Black sea map
The almost complete absence of life at a depth of over 200 m is a feature of the Black Sea. At great depths, only a few species of anaerobic bacteria live. This is due to the high content of hydrogen sulfide in the water.
The Black Sea cannot boast of such a rich fauna as the Mediterranean Sea. There are no sea urchins, octopuses, starfish, cuttlefish, corals. In total, there are about 2500 species of animals in this sea, while in the Mediterranean there are more than 9000. The poverty of the fauna is explained by the presence of hydrogen sulfide at great depths, moderately cold water, and a wide range of salinity.
