While ocean water is typically salty and bitter, making it nearly impossible to drink, the Baltic Sea is an exception; when you scoop it up for a taste, it appears to have no saltiness at all.
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The Baltic Sea (Photo: photographybysabine) |
The Baltic Sea is situated between Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula, stretching from 54 degrees north latitude in a northeast direction up to the Arctic Circle. It is over 1,600 km long, with an average width of 190 km and a total area of 420,000 km2.
The salinity of the seawater is only 7-8%, significantly lower than the average ocean salinity of 35%. The water in its bays is even milder, around 2%. The Baltic Sea was formed relatively late; following the Ice Age, the region was still covered in ice. As the ice melted, the water receded towards the Arctic, creating depressions that became the sea, with water quality remaining good. Additionally, due to its high latitude and low air temperatures, evaporation is minimal. The region is influenced by westerly winds and receives relatively high rainfall, with numerous rivers continuously flowing into it, contributing freshwater. The connection to the Atlantic Ocean is both narrow and shallow, making it difficult for salty ocean water to enter. As a result, the Baltic Sea has very low salinity.
The coastline of the Baltic Sea is very intricate, dotted with numerous islands. Notable bays include the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, and the Gulf of Riga, bordered by countries such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Major cities along the Baltic Sea include Saint Petersburg, Stockholm, and Helsinki.
The average depth of the Baltic Sea is 86 meters. The sea is prone to freezing, particularly in the northern and eastern regions, where it experiences annual freezing periods that can be inconvenient for maritime activities. Herring, cod, and flounder are among the marine products of the Baltic Sea.
Cod Gadus morhua (Photo: akwafoto)
