Baltic Sea

Baltic Sea Latest News

Sweden recently seized a ship suspected of having damaged a fibre-optic cable under the Baltic Sea linking the country to Latvia. 

About Baltic Sea

• It is one of the seas of the Atlantic Ocean, situated in Northern Europe. 
• It is the youngest sea on our planet, emerging some 10,000-15,000 years ago as the glaciers retreated at the end of the last Ice Age.
• It is approximately 1,600 km long and 193 km wide, covering an area of approximately 377,000 sq.km.
• Surrounding Countries: It has a coastline of approximately 8,000 km, shared by several countries, including Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Russia. 
• It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits.
• It is connected to the White Sea via the White Sea Canal and to the North Sea’s German Bight via Kiel Canal.
• The Baltic Sea contains three major gulfs: the Gulf of Bothnia to the north, the Gulf of Finland to the east, and the Gulf of Riga slightly to the south of that.
• It is often cited as the world’s largest brackish inland water body. 
• Its water salinity levels are lower than that of the World Oceans due to the inflow of fresh water from the surrounding land and the sea’s shallowness. 
• There are about sixty rivers draining into the Baltic Sea. Neva is the largest river that drains into the Baltic Sea.
• Islands: It is home to over 20 islands and archipelagos. Gotland, located off the coast of Sweden, is the largest island in the Baltic Sea.
• Algal Harmful Blooms are also one of the issues that affect the Baltic Sea.

Baltic Sea FAQs

Q1. What are the Baltic countries?

Ans. The Baltic States refer to the countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Q2. What is special about the Baltic Sea?

Ans: The Baltic Sea is the youngest sea on the planet, almost enclosed, experiencing near-arctic conditions and is one of the world’s largest brackish waters.

Q3. Which countries border the Gulf of Bothnia?

Ans: The Gulf of Bothnia is the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea, situated between the eastern coast of Sweden and the western coast of Finland.

Q4. Which countries border the Gulf of Finland?

Ans: Gulf of Finland is the easternmost arm of the Baltic Sea, between Finland (north) and Russia and Estonia (east and south).

Q5. Which countries border the Gulf of Rig?

Ans: Gulf of Riga is bounded by the northern coast of Latvia and the western coast of Estonia.

Source: HT