Greece is located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. The mainland of the state and its numerous islands are washed by several seas (among them - Libyan, Thracian, Cretan, Tyrrhenian and etc.). They, in turn, are part of the larger sea areas: the south of the country washes Mediterranean Sea, the western part of Greece - Ionian, and east - Aegean.
In terms of the total number of large and small seas washing the territory of the state, Greece ranks first in Europe. Naturally, this geographic feature also affects the country's economy. Two of the largest sources of funding for the Greek budget are income related to the exploitation of its waters and tourism. In the first case, the state receives payment from foreign ships passing through its waters. As for tourism, here the advantages of Greece over other countries are undeniable: unique historical monuments, world famous pilgrimage centers, ancient cities, about 1400 islands, numerous resorts and beautiful beaches from year to year attract tourists from all over the world to this amazing country. The mild climate allows sunbathing, swimming, fishing and water sports all year round!
Navigating the article
Mediterranean Sea
In ancient times, the main centers of civilization were located around the Mediterranean basin. That is why it received the appropriate name (lat. Mare Mediterranea - "Sea in the middle of the earth").
The unique Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot dry summers and mild winters, is influenced by many factors. The sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean only by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, therefore it has an autonomous ecosystem. In addition, it is located in the subtropical climatic zone, so the temperature indicators here are high: even in October, the water warms up to +23 ° C, and in the summer - from + 22 ° C to + 26 ° C. The water in the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high salinity and transparency, as well as weak tides.
Most of the beaches in the Mediterranean are sandy and pebbly, equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas and a variety of water sports equipment rentals. Ships, yachts, ferries, pleasure boats constantly ply between the islands, so getting to the desired point is not a problem.
Guests of Greece should definitely visit the southern part of Fr. where it joins the small peninsula of Prasonisi by a narrow strip of sand. On one side, the coast is washed by the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, and on the other - by the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. This place is called "The Kiss of the Two Seas."
There are two versions of the origin of the name of the Ionian Sea. According to the first, the name was given to him by a tribe of Ionians who lived here in ancient times. The second version is associated with a mythological plot. Once the god Zeus fell in love with the beautiful priestess Io, but his wife Hera, out of jealousy, decided to destroy her rival. To save the beautiful maiden, the thunderer turned her into a white cow. During her escape, Io swam across the sea, which has since been named after her.
Nowadays, the Ionian Sea is known not so much for its mythological themes, but for its sunny resorts, including: islands, Lefkada, etc. The tourist season here lasts from June to October; in summer, the water warms up to +26 ° C, and in winter - up to +14 ° C.
It is the Aegean Sea that is considered the cradle of Greek civilization. In the territories washed by its waters, other great states arose and developed: the successor to Ancient Greece - the Roman Empire, Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, the Bulgarian kingdom. The origin of the name of the sea dates back to antiquity and has several versions. The most popular is mythological: the king of the Athenian state Aegeus threw himself into the sea from a high cliff, thinking that his son Theseus died at the hands of the Cretan monster Minotaur. Since then, the sea bears his name. Other versions are derived from the ancient Greek phrase "waves on water" or from the name of the city Aigeus (island (Euboea)).
The Aegean Sea is very warm, so tourists especially love to relax in the local resorts. In the summer months, the water on its surface warms up to + 25 ° C, in October the indicator is still at +23 ° C, in winter it is + 11-15 ° C.
photo: valamarua.livejournal.com
Perhaps the most popular holiday destination in the Aegean Sea basin is. Thanks to its clear waters, 42 of its beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, a quality mark that is awarded only to the best beaches in the world. Local resorts have everything you need for a quality holiday - rental points, snack bars, numerous hotel complexes, etc. Most vacationers prefer the resorts of Metamorfosi, Nikiti, Neos Marmaras and Vourvourou.
Halkidiki has long been chosen by divers from all over the world: beginners can observe the amazing marine life not far from land, while professionals prefer deep diving: there are many sunken ships of different eras off the coast of the peninsula, so you can even raise a unique artifact from the bottom. The presence of wind and waves makes the Aegean Sea a suitable place for surfing and windsurfing. In the area of about. Rhodes hosts annual competitions in these sports.
Greece: a story about the peculiarities of tourism and recreation. Useful information about Greece for the traveler.
- Tours for May to Greece
- Last Minute Tours to Greece
Cretan Sea beaches, Heraklion
Greece is located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and on numerous islands in the Mediterranean. Geographically, parts of the Mediterranean are seas such as Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, Cretan, Libyan and Cyprus. However, today most of them are considered integral parts of the water area and are not indicated on maps - it is believed that the coast of Greece is washed by the Ionian Sea from the west, the Mediterranean from the south, and the Aegean Sea from the east.
In fact, Greece is washed by the largest number of seas compared to other European countries. It is the seas that are considered one of the main sources of income here - both from fishing, collecting coral, transport links, and as one of the most attractive features of the country for tourists.
There is another item of income derived by enterprising Greeks from the sea - according to the maritime regulations, ships of other countries of the world have the right to pass through the sea part of Greece (and this is, in addition to the mainland, about 2 thousand islands!) For an additional fee, depending on the type of vessel, its sizes and other characteristics.
Ionian sea
In the water area of the Ionian Sea, there are such islands as Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, etc. The average sea water temperature in winter is +14 ° C, in summer - +26 ° C. The tourist season starts in June and ends in October.
The name of the Ionian Sea comes from the ancient Greek tribe of Ionians who inhabited the surrounding islands, or from the name of Zeus's beloved Io, who, according to ancient Greek mythology, was turned into a white cow for her connection with the thunderer and swam across the sea, fleeing the wrath of Hera.
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is famous for its beauty and tranquility. The beaches here are mostly sandy and pebbly, with a developed infrastructure and ample opportunities for water sports. The water temperature in June is about + 22 ° С, in August + 26 ° С, in October + 23 ° С.
The name Mare Mediterranea (lat. "Sea in the middle of the Earth") was introduced into use in antiquity, when civilizations were formed mainly in the basin of this sea.
It is the Mediterranean Sea that Greece owes its tourist attraction: due to the fact that communication with the Atlantic is carried out only by the rather narrow straits of Suez and Gibraltar, the Mediterranean is considered one of the warmest and salty seas on the planet with mild tides. It is perfect for a relaxing beach holiday and diving.
The sandy spit connecting Rhodes with the small island of Prasonisi is called "The Kiss of the Two Seas", since on one side there is the Mediterranean Sea, the waters of which are deep blue, and on the other - the turquoise Aegean.
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea off the coast of Halkidiki is famous for its exceptional water clarity and magnificent beaches. As many as 42 beaches of the peninsula are marked with the "Blue Flag" and are rightfully considered one of the best in all of Europe. The average water temperature in June is +23 ° C, in August about +25 ° C, in October +23 ° C.
The beaches on the coast of Halkidiki are mostly sandy or sandy with small pebbles. They are famous for their well-developed infrastructure and are equipped with everything necessary for active recreation: surfing, diving and yachting. The most popular resorts of the Ionian Sea in Greece are Metamorfosi, Nikiti, Neas Marmaras and Vourvourou Bay.
Aegean Sea
The Aegean coast is a mecca for divers from all over the world. It will be interesting to dive here both for beginners who want to admire the beauty of the seabed at a shallow depth, and for professionals who are more interested in sunken ships of different eras, caves and archaeological finds. In addition, waves are always present here, which provides excellent conditions for outdoor activities, primarily surfing and windsurfing. It is in the Aegean Sea near the island of Rhodes that the stages of the World Cup in these sports are held.
In fact, it is the Aegean Sea that can be called the cradle of such ancient civilizations as Byzantium, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, the Ottoman Empire, the Latin Empire, the Bulgarian kingdom. According to various sources, its name comes from the ancient Greek "waves on the water", after the city of Aigeus on the island of Euboea, or after the name of the Athenian king Aegeus, who, according to ancient Greek mythology, threw himself off a cliff into the sea, deciding that his son Theseus was killed by the Minotaur on Crete.
Endless kilometers of coastline, mild climate, richness and diversity of Greece's nature draw attention to this country, its picturesque shores, beaches that abound in the islands. The modern landscapes of the state's maritime regions, covering thousands of square kilometers, receive a significant amount of sunlight. But the temperature of the air and water, as well as the conditions for recreation on the shore, depend on many factors. Let's find out which sea in Greece is considered the warmest, which islands are the largest and most densely populated.
Coastline
Several millennia ago, one of the most developed civilizations of the ancient world was located on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. Even then, traditions and favorable conditions for sea travel were formed. One of the most famous is the sailing of the Argonauts behind the Golden Fleece. If the waters in the Mediterranean were not interconnected, then the ship "Argo" would not be able to get to Colchis on the Black Sea coast. But the absence of natural boundaries makes it difficult to determine whether the islands belong to one or another sea. This moment is especially vividly manifested in the geography of modern Greece.
This state occupies the extreme south of the Balkan Peninsula and 3000 island territories in the Mediterranean basin. The western coast of the country is washed by the Ionian Sea. In Greece, the southern coast is heavily indented, there are many peninsulas and islands, bays and lagoons. In the east lies the Aegean Sea, along the water area of which the border with the Republic of Turkey passes. The northern neighbors are the southern European states of Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria.
When the question of which sea in Greece is being studied, Rhodes and other large island territories must be included in the characterization of the coastline - one of the longest in the world. According to various sources, it ranges from 15021 to 16000 km. Half of this distance falls on the mainland regions of the country, the second part - on the island territories.
Coast of greece
The historical regions of the country of Macedonia and Thrace lie in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Other large regions of the studied state are Epirus, Thessaly and Central Greece. The capital - the city of Athens - is located in the Attica region. Not far from the southeastern coast lies the large offshore island of Euboea; to the southwest is the Peloponnese Peninsula, separated by the Corinthian Gulf.
Country of a Thousand Islands
The largest peninsula in western Greece, the Peloponnese, is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Among the many land areas in the sea, the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Dodecanese archipelago and the Cyclades are distinguished by their large size. Until now, geographers call a different number of islands that Greece owns - from 1200 to 1600. Therefore, the length of the coastline in different sources differs by hundreds of kilometers. It is known for certain that most of the islands lie in the Aegean Sea, that is, between Greece and Turkey. Most often guidebooks give the figure 1425. This is the total number of islands, 166 of them have no permanent population or its number is very small.
Crete is the largest insular territory of the country, its administrative center Heraklion is located on the northern coast. Among the large and densely populated are the islands of Evia, Lesvos, Rhodes. The fourth largest island territory belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea. The water area here is considered one of the warmest and most calm. The northern coast of Crete is popular with tourists; cool air masses often come here. In summer, the Mediterranean breeze lowers the air temperature by several degrees, brings moisture and healing salts.
What is the sea in Heraklion (Greece)?
With the determination of the belonging of the islands to one or another water area, incidents often arise. The fact is that officially and unofficially, the Mediterranean Sea is divided into separate basins. The largest of them are the Ionian Sea in the west of Greece and the Aegean in the east of the country. Which of the water areas is located in the area of the capital about. Crete - Heraklion? We can say that the island itself is located in the Mediterranean Sea, washed by its two parts - in the north by the Aegean, in the west by the Ionian Sea. The area of the Mediterranean water area between the southern coast of Crete and Libya is considered Libyan, and the southern part of the Aegean is the Cretan Sea.
Climatic differences within Greece
The country of thousands of islands is located between parallels 42 and 35 ° N. lat., stretches from 19 to 28 ° 30 "E. Climate changes from north to south, from west to east are associated with the influence of the Mediterranean Sea and mainland Europe. Summers are warm, in some areas hot and dry. Winters are mild, humid, its temperature features depend on the sea in Greece. Crete is located in the very south of the country, in the warmest waters of the Mediterranean Sea. But even here, like in the Cyclades archipelago, snow can fall. This is a rare phenomenon for Greece, usually in winter there is precipitation in the form of rain.
Which sea in Greece is warmer?
In the south of the Ionian Basin in the area of about. Lefkada temperatures are 1-2 ° C higher for almost the whole year than in the northern part near about. Corfu. But during June and July, conditions level out. In summer, the warmest sea in Greece is the Aegean, more precisely, its southeastern part in the region of the islands of Kos and Rhodes from the Dodecanese group, as well as the southern region near the Cyclades archipelago. In August, in the southeast of this basin, the water temperature is about 26 ° C, and in the shallow waters off the coast, the indicators are even higher. The deterioration of local temperature conditions is typical for February. In the northeastern part of Greece, there are the large islands of Lesvos, Lemnos and a number of smaller ones. Here, in May-August, the Aegean Sea is 2-4 ° C colder than in the area of the Dodecanese archipelago.
The islands and the mainland of the study country are separated by small distances, the surrounding waters are safe. The calm sea in Greece, picturesque landscapes, favorable temperatures contribute to the development of beach holidays and sea cruise tourism. The coast of Greece has gained worldwide fame for its crystal clear sea water, golden sandy and pebble beaches. The mainland and insular region of the country has charming bays and comfortable bays sheltered from the wind.
Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula, jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, and on many islands to the east, west and south of the peninsula. Some parts of the Mediterranean Sea, which have fairly clear boundaries, are distinguished into separate seas with their own names: Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Ligurian, Balearic and others.
Greece is washed by several seas at once - the Libyan, Ionian, Aegean, Thracian and Cretan seas.
Between the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey lies, covered with a scattering of large and small islands. It washes the shores of the Chalkidiki Peninsula and the eastern coast of the Balkan Peninsula. The Northern Sporades, the islands of Evia, Lesvos, Lemnos, Thassos, Chios and others belong to the basin of the Aegean Sea of Greece.
The coast of the Aegean Sea is heavily indented with many bays and bays, in some places it is quite rocky, but it is distinguished by a large number of good beaches, thanks to which the tourist infrastructure on it is well developed. The sea water has a pleasant aquamarine hue, but it is distinguished by increased salinity, therefore it is recommended to bathe in fresh water after swimming.
The average water temperature of the Aegean Sea is about 23 degrees.
In the northern part of the Aegean Sea, between the Gallipoli and Halkidiki peninsulas is located Thracian Sea with the islands of Samothraki, Imbros and Thassos. The coldest in all of Greece, it is nevertheless popular with tourists due to the rich historical heritage on its shores.
On the other side of the Balkan Peninsula and the Peloponnese, Greece is washed by Ionian Sea, limited by the banks of the lower part of the Italian "boot". The Ionian Islands include Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos. The western shores of the Balkan Peninsula are dissected by deep bays: Patras, Taranto, Art, Corinth and others. The Greek waters in the Ionian Sea are warmer than those in the Aegean - reaching temperatures of 26 degrees in summer - and even denser and saltier, making them ideal for learning to swim.
The best beaches of the Ionian coast are located in the Peloponnese - wide, sandy, picturesque.
Between Crete and the Cyclades lies a small Cretan sea... Its distinctive feature is its warm waters, which maintain a temperature of 26 degrees until October. In addition, the Cretan Sea is quite calm - if there are waves near the coast, they pass quickly.
The shores of the islands located in the Cretan Sea are rather gentle - the entrance to the water is smooth, the bottom near the coast is shallow, and the beaches are mostly sandy.
The seas surrounding Greece include and Libyan Sea in the southern part of Crete - spacious and not limited to islands and peninsulas. The southern coast of the island is more "wild", the beaches are rocky and pebbly, and the water is less calm and rather cool thanks to the cold underground springs. On modern maps, the Libyan Sea is not marked; it is part of the Mediterranean Sea.
Located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula and covering many Mediterranean islands, Greece is washed on three sides by seas: from the east - Aegean, from the western part - Ionian, and from the south - Mediterranean... The geographical parts of the Mediterranean Sea are such seas as the Ligurian, Adriatic, Alboran, Tyrrhenian, Balearic, Cyprus, Cretan, Libyan, Ionian and Aegean. But since most of them are considered only parts of the water area, many seas are not indicated on the maps.
If compared with other European countries, then Greece, by the number of seas washing its territory, is far ahead... The sea for the Greeks is one of the main sources of income. The wide sea area, along with the most picturesque landscapes and numerous historical monuments, attracts millions of tourists here every year. Tourism brings the state about 15% of GDP and also provides employment for more than 16% of the total employed population in Greece.
Maritime transport routes also bring their share of income to the state treasury: according to the maritime regulations, foreign ships can pass through the Greek sea zone only if a payment is made. The amount of this fee depends on the type of vessel, its size and other characteristics.
Greece also receives a significant percentage of the profits from marine fisheries: fishing and collecting coral.
The Aegean Sea washes the shores of Greece and Turkey. The largest islands in the Aegean are the islands of Rhodes, Crete, Lesvos, Samos and Evia. The sea area is about 179 thousand km². The coast is mostly rocky. The sea is surrounded by numerous, usually low mountain ranges with a semi-desert landscape.
The shores of the Aegean Sea attract divers from all over the world. Both beginners and professionals will find a lot of interesting things here. The first category of tourists will be able to admire the splendor of the seabed at shallow depths, and the second - to get acquainted with underwater caves, see with their own eyes sunken ships of different eras and other wonders. In addition, waves are constantly present here, which guarantees ideal conditions for active surface recreation - surfing or windsurfing. That is why in the Aegean Sea, near the island of Rhodes, the stages of the World Cup in these sports are held.
The surface water temperature of the Aegean Sea varies from 11 ° C to 15 ° C in winter and from 22 ° C to 25 ° C in summer.
Due to global warming, there is a tendency for water temperature to rise, as well as an increase in its salinity. At a depth of over 350 m throughout the year, the temperature does not change and is 12-13 ° C. The salinity of the Aegean Sea is higher in comparison with the Black Sea. The tides here are daily, ranging from 30 to 60 cm.
The Aegean Sea is a renowned shipping region. There are a huge number of ships in Greek ports and under the flag of the state. Greece's shipowners are among the most influential in the world.
The Aegean Sea can be considered the cradle of such great empires as Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Byzantium, Ottoman Empire, Bulgarian Kingdom and Latin Empire. There are many different versions regarding the name of the sea. According to one of them, it comes from the name of the city Aigeus (Euboeus Island), another version is inclined in favor of the ancient Greek expression "waves on water", the third insists that the name of the sea comes from the name of the king of Athens, Aegeus. According to one of the myths, the Athenian king threw himself into the sea, believing that his son Theseus was killed by the Cretan Minotaur.
Ionian sea
The Ionian Sea is the deepest geographic part of the Mediterranean. It is located between two peninsulas - Alenninsky and Balkan, dividing Greece and Italy. Along the entire length of the Balkan coast of the sea, the Ionian Islands, called the "Seven Islands", are visible. They owe this name to the largest land areas - the islands of Ithaca, Paxos, Corfu, Levkas, Kefalonia, Kythira and Zakynthos. Although in fact there are many more islands in this system.
The sea area is 169 thousand km². Its bottom, shaped like a basin, is mainly covered with silt. Closer to the coastline - sand and shell rock.
The average water temperature of the Ionian Sea is 14 ° C in February and 25.5 ° C in August. The water temperature at depth is about 13 ° C.
The salinity level of the waters is over 38 ‰. The tides here are daily - up to 0.4 m.
Since time immemorial, the islands of the Ionian Sea have stood out among the other islands of Greece, because even in those distant times, nature blessed them with amazing beauty and lush vegetation. A mild climate, high snow-white cliffs above the azure sea, fertile lands, mountains sprouted with forests, shores covered with white sand and convenient for mooring ships.
The territory of the Ionian Sea coast is densely populated. There are many tourist towns here, for most of whose inhabitants the sea is a source of income. They, like the population of other regions of Greece, are engaged in fishing and providing tourism services.
Most likely, the Ionian Sea owes its name to the ancient Greek tribe of the Ionians, who founded a settlement on about. Kefalonia and other islands in western Greece. But there is also a mythological version, according to which the sea got its name thanks to Io. She managed to swim across it after the supreme deities of Olympus turned her into a cow.
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is designated as one of the largest seas (area - 2.5 million km²). The concept of "Mediterranean" is applicable to peoples, climate, countries, vegetation. For many, the Mediterranean is associated with a whole era in the history of mankind and a special way of life.
The coastline of the sea is completely indented, and a huge number of land protrusions divide it into many semi-enclosed water areas (seas), which have their own names (they were mentioned at the beginning of the article). In the Mediterranean Sea, it is customary to distinguish two depressions: western and eastern.
The water in the western trough is cooler and fresher, with an average temperature of about 12 ° C in February and 24 ° C in August. In the eastern depression, it is about 17 ° C and 27 ° C, respectively.
The Mediterranean Sea is attractive for its tranquility and beauty, but in certain seasons it, like other seas, can be stormy, crashing onto the shore in large waves. The mild Mediterranean climate has always attracted the attention of tourists. The very concept of "Mediterranean climate" implies hot, long summers and short, wet winters. Many of the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea, mainly southern and eastern, are characterized by semiarid and arid climate features. It is the semiarism with an abundance of clear sunny days that is typical of the Mediterranean climate. Although winter can be characterized by a series of cold days, when the sea wet wind brings rain, frost and even snow.
Also, the Mediterranean is famous for its attractive landscapes. The Italian and French Riviera, the Adriatic coast of Croatia, the vicinity of Naples, the coast of Lebanon and Greece are of particular beauty.
