Geography

The Black Sea

The Black Sea is a saltwater marginal sea in the boundary between Europe and Asia, surrounded by the southern region of the East European Plain, the east of the Balkans, the north of Anatolia, and the western region of Caucasus.

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It is supplied mostly by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper and Dniester. As of 2024, six countries have a coastline on the sea whereas the drainage area, which is five times bigger than the sea's surface area), includes 20 countries. The Black Sea is a more isolated sea than other seas as it has a restricted link with the other seas: the sea only communicates directly with the Marmara Sea via the Bosphorus Strait and with the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait.

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Climate

As the sea is located deeper into the continent, the climate around it can be characterised as mostly continental, but the relief of the shorelines in certain areas greatly affects the climate conditions. For example, Kolkhida plain from the Eastern coast of the sea, which is sheltered by high mountains, experiences a humid subtropical climate (abundant precipitation, humid summers and warm winters). Subtropical and Mediterranean 'microclimates' tend to form in the Northwestern Caucasus because of the redirection of cold winds caused by the mountains. Additionally, the steppe landscapes from the Northwestern and the Northern coasts, which feature plain and hilly regions, of the Black and the Azov Seas have a dry temperate climate. Mediterranean landscapes can be found on the Southern Coast and interestingly in the South of Crimea as a result of the Crimean mountains that shelter the coastal strip from the northern winds.

In total, 3 types of climates can be found on the coastline of the sea: dry temperate continental (steppes), Mediterranean, and humid subtropical.

During winter, a strong current of cold wind coming from the Siberian anticyclone invades the area of the Black Sea and prevails for an average of 185 days each year which causes the sea and the Northwestern side to cool down considerably. The polar air is also accompanied by the Northeastern winds that bring rain and rapid temperature drops to the Eastern regions, the air becoming warm and moist after their passing. Occasional rain and sharp squalls are brought from the Atlantic throughout Eastern Europe.

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(Climate Map of The Black Sea with Köppen–Geiger climate classification)

Into the depths...

What makes the Black Sea unique is what can be found in its depths - specifically at about 150-200 metres below the surface. Oxygen can only be found in the upper water levels whereas the deeper reaches are abundant in hydrogen sulfide. Because of the anoxic state of the zone, no life can be found there apart from bacteria that have adapted to the life circumstances.

An explanation for such a phenomenon is the lack of vertical currents in all of the sea levels apart from the surface level caused by the nature of the sea itself. As the dead bodies of past sea life decompose, they produce hydrogen sulfide, and with no vertical currents, the sea remains stratified.

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The ports of the Black Sea

Odessa

Burgas

Constanta

Varna

Novorossiysk

Poti

Batumi

Sevastopol

The economy of the Black Sea

Fishing

Fisheries have existed in the region for a very long time and they were always presented as a great source of income for most coastal populations. However, in recent years the industry has suffered a great reduction in fish catches both in quantity and variety. Reasons may vary from overfishing, the invasion of alien species brought by Mediterranean ships, that destroy the underwater ecosystem, to the pollution crisis the Earth is undergoing currently. Nonetheless, fishing remains the staple and symbol of the Black Sea.

The shipping and the oil industries

Many countries with access to the sea take advantage of on-water transportation to export and import many materials such as coal and wheat to other countries. Additionally, the sea is rich in oil and natural gas hence many oil refineries and offshore oil rigs were built and are currently active in the Black Sea.

Turism

The Black Sea has a lot of sand beaches along with accommodations with beautiful views of the sea, seafood restaurants and services catered for tourists. The seawater is also not as salty as the Mediterranean seawater so swimming beneath the surface without any special equipment won't attack the eyes and nose. Along the coast next to the beaches historic monuments such as the Balchik Palace can be found and visited by people.

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