The Baltic Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean, located in Northern Europe.
It is the youngest sea on Earth, formed roughly 10,000 to 15,000 years ago as glaciers receded at the end of the last Ice Age.
Stretching approximately 1,600 km in length and 193 km in width, it covers an area of around 377,000 square kilometers.
Surrounding Countries: The Baltic Sea’s coastline spans approximately 8,000 km and is shared by several nations, including Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Russia.
It connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the Danish Straits.
Additionally, it is linked to the White Sea through the White Sea Canal and to the German Bight of the North Sea via the Kiel Canal.
Three prominent gulfs are part of the Baltic Sea: the Gulf of Bothnia in the north, the Gulf of Finland in the east, and the Gulf of Riga slightly south of that.
The Baltic Sea is often recognized as the largest brackish inland water body in the world.
Due to substantial freshwater input from surrounding rivers and its relatively shallow depth, its salinity levels are lower than those of the global oceans.
About sixty rivers flow into the Baltic Sea, with the Neva River being the largest contributor.
Islands: The sea is dotted with over 20 islands and archipelagos. Gotland, situated off Sweden’s coast, is the largest island in the Baltic Sea.
One of the challenges facing the Baltic Sea is algal harmful blooms, which can significantly impact its ecosystem.
