The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is one of the largest bodies of water and a famous inland sea in the world. It is popular not only because of its name, but also because of several surprisingly unusual characteristics. For a long time it was called the inhospitable sea, and the inhospitality of this body of water was due to numerous shipwrecks. Ancient navigators considered the Black Sea a difficult body of water to navigate, as wild tribes lived along its shores. In addition, the anoxic nature of the Black Sea water, due to which the decomposition process is slow in the lower water layers, has also led to a number of creepy rumors that make the sea infamous. Over time, however, the image of the Black Sea as one of the most challenging bodies of water to navigate has changed. Home to a rich and beautiful collection of flora and fauna and more than ten small islands, the Black Sea has already become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Here are 8 facts about the Black Sea that you might not know:
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1. Why is the Black Sea called the Black Sea?
One of the best and little-known facts about the Black Sea is the origin of its name, which remains unclear. There are different theories about how this sea came to be called by this name. Theories suggest that before it was called the Black Sea, the body of water was called the “Inhospitable Sea”, mostly due to the presence of wild tribes along its shores. Over the centuries, different nations have given different names. However, this particular name is the most famous, believed to have been given by the Turks in the Middle Ages. Historical documents indicate that during the period of the Ottoman Empire, the Black Sea was called Karadeniz, which means Black Sea in Turkish. According to one theory, storms in the winter make the water in the Black Sea appear black, which leads sailors to call it the Black Sea. Another theory suggests that objects that sink into the water become covered with black sediment after a certain period of time. The discovery of such objects in the sea may have given rise to its name.
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2. Is there life in the Black Sea?
One of the most intriguing facts about the Black Sea is its anoxic water. That’s right, water lacks oxygen. The Black Sea is the largest meromictic basin, which means that the movement of water between the lower and upper layers of the sea is a rare phenomenon anywhere in the world. This creates a significant temperature difference between these layers, making the lower layers completely oxygen-deprived and inactive. At the same time, the Black Sea receives fresh water from its rivers and from rainfall. However, the Black Sea only exchanges water with the Mediterranean Sea. As the transfer takes place in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, the inflow of dense water from the Mediterranean Sea occurs at the bottom of the basin. In contrast, Black Sea surface water outflow occurs near the surface of the basin. Because the mixing between the two layers of water in the Black Sea is shallow, marine organisms cannot survive in the anoxic zone. Only the oxygen-rich surface waters of the Black Sea support marine life.
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3. The landing place of Noah’s Ark?
According to a number of marine geologists, the Black Sea was a freshwater lake about 7,000 years ago, before rising Mediterranean sea levels caused saltwater to enter the lake. In accordance with this theory, many argue that the so-called flood represents the catastrophic flood mentioned in the story of Noah’s ark in the Bible. Stories claim that Noah’s ark came to rest on the slopes of Mount Ararat in Turkey after the flood ended. From time to time, marine archaeologists argue for and against these claims. Due to the lack of reliable scientific evidence, however, this particular history of the Black Sea remains a matter of debate.
4. How does it feel to swim in the Black Sea?
The water level in the Black Sea remains the same all the time due to the lack of tides. In this way, the water level in the sea does not fluctuate, making it calm, quiet and calm on the surface. It is interesting that because of all these rare characteristics of the water in the Black Sea, many people wonder if it is possible to swim in the sea. Swimming in the Black Sea is possible with a clear freshwater surface, although it offers a different experience than other bodies of water. With its strange characteristics, including the high level of minerals and salt, usually objects tend to float in the water.
Why is the Black Sea called black?
5. Snake Islands?
The Black Sea is home to many small islands. These islands are about ten in number and are a fantastic storehouse of fauna and flora that make this sea even more unique. These islands, belonging to countries such as Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey and Romania, also include Snake Island, which is located near the Danube Delta. Saint Thomas Island in Bulgaria is also infamous for the presence of fish-eating gray water snakes in the island’s waters. Other notable islands in the Black Sea are St. Anastasia and St. Kirik, which are in Bulgaria, Berezan and Giresun in Turkey, Dzharylgach in Ukraine, and others. Most importantly, these Black Sea islands have become significant tourist attractions that play an essential role in the countries’ economy.
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6. The dead lie at the bottom?
What seems like an intriguing and almost scary fact is that the dead are believed to continue to exist in the waters of the Black Sea. Wrecks of ships and people, as well as other decaying materials such as ropes and wood, can still be found on the seabed, hundreds of years after they entered the waters of the Black Sea. As exciting as this fact sounds, its scientific explanation is that due to the anoxic nature of the bottom water layers of this sea, the decomposition process is negligibly slow. Unfortunately, this phenomenon has given rise to numerous rumors about the Black Sea.
7. Favorite cruise destination?
Despite all the mysteries associated with the Black Sea, the fact remains that this inland body of water turns out to be a major holiday destination throughout the year. With its high mountains and beautiful coasts, the countries along the shores of the Black Sea have become a home for lovers of sea sports and travel. In addition to its beauty, the historical and archaeological significance of the Black Sea also welcomes many cruise ships to the region every year.
