Sea of Marmara
Small inland sea linking the Black Sea and Aegean.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Sea of Marmara, also known as the Sea of Marmora, the Marmara Sea, or Propontis, is a small inland sea entirely within the borders of Turkey. It links the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea via the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, separating Turkey's European and Asian sides. It is considered the smallest sea in the world.
- Surface salinity
- about 22 parts per thousand
- Bottom salinity
- around 38 parts per thousand
- Named after
- Marmara Island, rich in marble (Greek μάρμᾰρον, mármaron 'marble')
- Ancient name
- Propontis (Greek pro 'in front of' + pontos 'sea')
Lore & Background
In classical antiquity, the Sea of Marmara was known as the Propontis, from the Greek pro 'in front of' and pontos 'sea', specifically the Black Sea, since the Ancient Greeks sailed through it to reach the Black Sea. In Greek mythology, a storm on the Propontis brought the Argonauts back to an island they had left, precipitating a battle in which either Jason or Heracles killed King Cyzicus, who had mistaken them for his Pelasgian enemies. The sea's south coast is heavily indented and includes the Gulf of İzmit, the Gulf of Gemlik, the Gulf of Bandırma, and the Gulf of Erdek.
Reader's Guide
The Sea of Marmara is a small inland sea entirely within Turkey, linking the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea via the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. Its name derives from Marmara Island, which is rich in marble. In classical antiquity it was called Propontis, meaning 'in front of the sea' (the Black Sea). The sea's surface salinity averages about 22 parts per thousand, while bottom salinity is around 38 parts per thousand, similar to the Mediterranean. The sea also features several island groups, including the Princes' Islands and the Marmara Islands, and is a site of historical mythology involving the Argonauts.
Did You Know?
- The Sea of Marmara is named after Marmara Island, which is rich in marble (Greek μάρμᾰρον, mármaron 'marble').
- In Greek mythology, a storm on the Propontis brought the Argonauts back to an island where either Jason or Heracles killed King Cyzicus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sea of Marmara's powers/role?
It acts as the essential maritime bridge between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea, channeled through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. In that capacity it also physically divides Turkey's European and Asian halves.
Why is Sea of Marmara important?
It is a strategically vital chokepoint through which commercial and naval traffic must pass to move between the Black Sea and the wider Mediterranean. Its layered salinity—around 22 parts per thousand at the surface versus roughly 38 at the bottom—also makes it a unique study subject for oceanographers.
What is Sea of Marmara named after?
The name traces back to nearby Marmara Island, which was historically rich in marble quarries. The root word comes from the Greek 'mármaron,' the ancient term for marble.
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