The Black Sea: the enclave to the cross of worlds
Location: South-East Europe (mainly in Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine) Area: 413 000 km2 Maximum depth: 2206 meters
1. A cosmopolitan inner sea
Gelendzhik, Russia – Photo credit: Wikimedia - Alexxx1979
The Black Sea is an inland sea, bordering many countries to the confluences of the Caucasus, Europe and Anatolia. This geographical location offers a range of exceptional landscapes and geographical influences. Enjoying a Mediterranean climate in the summer, it suffers from harsh winters descended from the Russia and of Ukraine to offer glazed landscapes during this period, the sea can even freeze by place. The influence of Turks, Georgians, Russians, Ukrainians, Romanians and Bulgarians can be seen here, making it a place for the immense cultural and natural richness, at the heart of many myths and endless geopolitical disputes.
2. The mystery of his creation
Recent studies have highlighted that the Black Sea was, in a distant past, a large freshwater lake. Today salty sea, although it has one of the lowest levels of salinity in the world, it offers exceptional natural diversity. The natural reserve of the Caucasus, classified as Unesco’s heritage in 1999, offers a variety of mountains, flowers and animals (heveres, bison among others) exceptional. On the south shore, Turkey with his lynx, otters and wolves await you for a total change. The Mediterranean monk seal, an endangered species, can also be seen on the shores of the Black Sea. Don't miss these landscapes and this incredible nature!
3. A sea full of history
The Château du Nid d’hirondelle en Crimée – Photo credit: Flickr – Fr Maxim Massalitin
From the myth of the Golden fleece to the current political turmoil in Crimea, the Black Sea has always been an important centre of human history. It was the Ottoman Empire, then the USSR, living on the basis of the peregrine and strife of its inhabitants. If you go to the Black Sea, and no matter where you go, you can admire many vestiges of this past or present wealth. Historical monuments of the Middle Ages of Mtskheta in Georgia, passing through the brand new Olympic city Sochi , to the many Orthodox cathedrals and churches of Sevastopol, you will have all the leisure to discover the wonders of this region in exceptional history, and always very active.
4. The paradise of seaside resorts
But what remains the most pleasant in the Black Sea is its seaside resorts! The city of Mamaia in Romania , close to the second city of the country Constanta, with huge sandy beaches and its luxury hotel complexes. The family resort of Albena en Bulgaria will welcome you in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Even if it is not advisable to go there for the moment, the cities of Sevastopol and Yalta in Crimea are mandatory stops in your trip. The beauty of their architecture and their historical importance will enchant you, as will the magnificent hotels that are there. Don't miss too Odessa in Ukraine and the beautiful Samsun in Turkey.
Did you know?
- Jules Verne wrote a novel whose plot is in the Black Sea and which has as its main character a Turkish adventurer, Kéraban-le-Têtu . - The Black Sea is very threatened by pollution, especially by heavy metals spilled by the Danube and by invasive species that harm local biodiversity. - Other landscapes and places of dreams are presented on tresorsdumonde.fr , the site recensing the most beautiful places in the world.
Have you been on or off the Black Sea?
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