The Baltic Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, enclosed by Scandinavia, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. Here are some key points:
- Geography: The Baltic Sea spans approximately 377,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest brackish inland seas by area. Its average depth is about 55 meters, with the deepest point being the Landsort Deep at 459 meters.
- Climate: The climate around the Baltic Sea is influenced by its northern location, resulting in cold winters with ice cover in the northern and eastern parts, and relatively mild summers.
- History:
- Environment: The Baltic Sea suffers from significant environmental issues due to pollution, overfishing, and eutrophication. Efforts to mitigate these problems include the HELCOM (Helsinki Commission) which works to protect the marine environment.
- Flora and Fauna: Despite its environmental challenges, the Baltic Sea supports a unique ecosystem with species adapted to brackish conditions, including various fish like cod, herring, and salmon, as well as seals and migratory birds.
- Economy: The sea is crucial for the economies of surrounding countries through shipping, fishing, tourism, and the transport of goods via ports like Kiel, Gdansk, and Stockholm.
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