The Black Sea is a significant inland sea nestled at the southeastern edge of Europe. To pinpoint Where Is The Black Sea, geographically, it is bordered by a number of countries that encircle its waters. Ukraine marks its northern boundary, with Russia to the northeast. Georgia lies to the east, Turkey to the south, and finally, Bulgaria and Romania complete the circle to the west. This positioning places the Black Sea at a crucial crossroads between Europe and Asia.
This roughly oval-shaped body of water is more than just a large basin; it’s a strategically vital waterway. While located inland, the Black Sea isn’t isolated. It’s connected to the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean through a series of straits and seas. Starting from its southwestern corner, the Bosporus Strait acts as the first link, leading into the Sea of Marmara, then the Dardanelles, the Aegean Sea, and ultimately, the Mediterranean Sea, which opens into the Atlantic. This connection has historically made the Black Sea a key maritime route.
A prominent geographical feature of the Black Sea is the Crimean Peninsula, jutting out from the north. To the east of Crimea, the narrow Kerch Strait provides a passage to the smaller Sea of Azov, further expanding the Black Sea’s reach. Apart from these features, the coastline of the Black Sea is relatively smooth and unbroken. In terms of dimensions, the Black Sea stretches approximately 730 miles (1,175 km) from east to west at its widest point. The narrowest span, between the tip of Crimea and Cape Kerempe to the south, is around 160 miles (260 km). The surface area of the Black Sea, including the Sea of Azov but excluding the Sea of Marmara, covers about 178,000 square miles (461,000 square km). The Black Sea proper accounts for roughly 163,000 square miles (422,000 square km) of this total. Beneath the surface, the Black Sea plunges to a maximum depth of over 7,250 feet (2,210 meters) in its south-central region, marking it as a considerably deep basin.
Historically, the Black Sea has carried different names, reflecting changing perceptions and control. In ancient Greek myths, when the sea was on the periphery of their known world, it was called Pontus Axeinus, meaning “Inhospitable Sea.” However, as exploration and colonization increased, and the Greeks became more familiar with its shores, they renamed it Pontus Euxinus, reversing the earlier sentiment to mean “Hospitable Sea.” Legends even speak of Jason and the Argonauts traversing these waters in their quest for the Golden Fleece, heading towards Colchis, an ancient kingdom located at the eastern edge of the sea, now part of Georgia. Later, when the Turks gained control over the lands south of the Black Sea, they named it Karadeniz, which translates to “Black Sea,” again highlighting the challenging and stormy nature of its waters, a name that persists to this day in common usage.
For scientists, the Black Sea presents a unique case study. Its deeper waters are largely devoid of biological life, not due to modern pollution, but because of limited water mixing between the surface and deep layers. This natural phenomenon creates an anoxic environment at depth. For the nations surrounding it, the Black Sea has always been of immense strategic importance, serving as a vital artery for trade, naval power projection, and cultural exchange throughout history. In modern times, with increased regional stability, the Black Sea’s economic significance has risen further, particularly in terms of trade, energy resources, and tourism, underscoring its continuing relevance on the world stage.
