I have been to Greece three times. But in order to understand geography, it is not necessary to visit everywhere. Enough textbooks, internet and perseverance. And in addition to this set, I also have a geographical education. So - wind on your mustache. The question is easy, but interesting.

What seas wash Greece

Located on a peninsula, in addition, the country has a lot of islands. So you can imagine how much sea water splashes around. In fact, Greece is washed by seven seas. But nobody cares. The seven seas are the object of controversy among geographers, historians and other meticulous personalities. It is enough for a simple person to know the three Greek seas:

• Aegean Sea.
• Ionian Sea.
• Mediterranean Sea.

In fact, one could generally speak only of the Mediterranean Sea. The Aegean and Ionian Seas are included in the Mediterranean basin, the boundaries between them are rather fuzzy. With the Mediterranean itself, everything is clear, but the Aegean and Ionian can be considered closer.

Aegean Sea

The Greeks have a legend about the Minotaur. This is such a monster with the head of a cow, he lived on the island Crete. Once a hero named Tessey, to destroy the minotaur and save all people from tyranny. Judging by his behavior, he was the ancestor of modern Americans. But trouble happened to Tessey. Upon returning home, he mixed up the sails - instead of white, he put black on his ship. Well, with whom it doesn’t happen - he was tired after all, he performed feats. But bad luck - the black flag in Greece means mourning. Tessey's father saw a black flag from the shore, decided that everything was bad - the minotaur had eaten his son. With grief the Greek pope jumped off a cliff. Here he was, and now he is gone. This dad's name was Aegeus. Here The sea was named after him.

ionian sea

The name of this sea comes from ancient people – Ionians. But some believe that the Ionian Sea associated with the name of Zeus' mistress - Io. This is the girl that Zeus turned into a cow to hide from his wife, Hera. The history there is muddy and how it is connected with the sea is not at all clear. But one thing is clear - the ancient Greeks obviously had a fad about cows.

Many people remember from school geography that Greece is located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and covers several islands mediterranean sea. Therefore, to the question “What seas is it washed by?” some boldly answer: "Mediterranean." But this answer is not accurate. Take a closer look, looking at the map of Greece with the seas. The Mediterranean Sea belongs to the intercontinental, and includes several seas. Did not know? As you can see, Greece is washed by the largest number seas. Perhaps that is why fishing here is a source of decent income. Let's take a closer look at these seas.

Aegean Sea

The name comes from the Bulgarian language and means "white sea". The Aegean Sea washes a myriad of islands (about a couple of thousand). The sea was also often mentioned in the history of antiquity and Greek mythology. Peculiarities Aegean Sea:

Its salinity is higher than in the Black Sea. Therefore, after swimming in the Aegean Sea, it is recommended to rinse with fresh water to avoid skin and eye diseases.

The water temperature is cool in winter, ranging from 10 to 15 C, in summer

from 22 to 25 C, but each year the figures can vary significantly.

The tides are mostly small, from 30 to 70 cm. Storms are relatively rare.

Seafood such as sponges, octopuses and a variety of marine fish are harvested in the Aegean Sea.

Libyan Sea

It is obvious why it is called Libyan - because part of it washes the shores of Libya. Features of the Libyan Sea:

The sea is not rich in beaches, most of the shores washed by it are deserted, and the shores themselves are indented with many secluded bays. Neither roads nor railways are laid to them, therefore, tourists have to get to such areas on their own - either on foot or by boat.

Since it flows into the Libyan Sea a large number of mountains, the water temperature is cool.

Cretan Sea

The northern coast of the sea is the most popular among tourists, because here are the most beautiful sandy beaches and nature. Features of the Cretan Sea:

Many beaches of this sea boast positive feedback from vacationers, because they are environmentally friendly.

The Cretan Sea is much warmer than the Libyan.

The best sandy beaches and guest houses are located in the village of Bali.

Cyprus Sea

Cyprus is perhaps one of the most visited islands among tourists. Features of the Cyprus Sea:

This sea is the warmest and saltiest part of the Mediterranean. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why heat-loving foreigners prefer the Cyprus Sea.

Only one falls into it. major river- Neil.

Due to the increased salinity, the sea, unfortunately, cannot boast of a rich fauna, so it can be considered practically “uninhabited”.

One hypothesis says that the remains of Atlantis are hidden in the depths of the Cyprus Sea. This fact is still being studied.

Adriatic Sea

This sea is popularly called "loving", because it washes the shores of several European countries at the same time. What is the peculiarity of the Adriatic Sea?

The name of the sea comes from the ancient port of Adria.

The tides reach one and a half meters in height, regular storms are characteristic of this sea.

The fauna and flora of the sea is diverse. It is home to about 750 species of algae, many sea fish, sea foxes, sharks, dolphins, and even monk seals.

ionian sea

In addition to Greece, the sea washes the Italian and Albanian coasts. The Ionian Sea is the deepest of all Mediterranean parts. The shores are mostly sandy, less often - silty sand and shell rock. Peculiarities ionian sea:

The water temperature fluctuates between 14-17 C in winter and 20-25 C in summer.

The tides are mostly small, almost imperceptible - only 0.2-0.4 m in height. So the sea can rightly be considered calm and safe.

Probably, the name "Ionic" comes from a tribe of Ionians who previously lived on its shores. Although there is a mythological theory about the beautiful Io, who crossed this sea, being turned by Zeus into a white cow. Whose side the truth is, one can only guess.

Tyrrhenian Sea

The Tyrrhenian Sea is not very popular among tourists. This is a great reason to go to its shores and explore its area on your own. Who knows, suddenly you will be the discoverer of the secret that was hidden behind the seven locks? To date, the Tyrrhenian Sea is famous for such features:

In ancient times, people called this sea the Ausonian.

There are many island resorts in the Tyrrhenian Sea. As you can see, you are provided with all the conditions for a detailed acquaintance with this laconic area.

Alboran

Alboran is the westernmost sea in the Mediterranean. Alboran Sea Features:

Today, the sea is the main route for illegally migrating Africans.

On the north coast, fishing is the only means of survival.

The average water temperature reaches 17 C in winter and 27 C in summer. But figures from year to year can vary significantly.

Ligurian Sea

Many of us in childhood learned the tongue twister "Liguria" and wondered what kind of wonderful place this is and where is it located? Liguria is a tiny Italian region, and the Ligurian Sea lies between Liguria and Corsica. Features of the Ligurian Sea:

The name of the sea comes from the Ligurian tribe, who previously lived on its coast. Accordingly, the very name Liguria must have been borrowed from there.

The shores are mostly rocky, sandy beaches are less common.

Balearic Sea

It is the outskirts of the Mediterranean, located on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Features of the Balearic Sea:

The water temperature fluctuates between 12 C in winter and 25 C in summer.

Navigation and fishing are especially developed here.

The most famous resorts are located on the coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

Formally, the south of the Balkan Peninsula and the surrounding numerous islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea. However, experts divide the Mediterranean Sea into several areas, each of which individually is a whole sea. Of these small seas Greece is washed by only four coasts:

• Aegean;
• Ionic;
• Cretan;
• Libyan.

Not all of these seas are distinguished by geographical maps. Therefore, it is generally accepted that Greece is surrounded by everything three seas: from the east - Aegean, from South - mediterranean e, from the west - Ionian.

Mediterranean Sea

The name "Mediterranean" is associated with the geographical representations of the ancient inhabitants of North Africa and Southern Europe. The Mediterranean Sea was the cradle of several major civilizations at once. For the ancient Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans and Turks, this sea was the main reference point and a way of communication between different peoples.

The Mediterranean Sea is the largest sea in the world. Nearly all are located here. Greek islands- resorts: Crete, Rhodes, Samos, etc. In summer, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, there is an ideal beach holiday weather: minimal cloud cover, rare precipitation and tropical heat.

The Mediterranean waters are home to many rare species animals and fish: lobsters, white-bellied seals, squids, rays, turtles and sharks. The region has long been famous for its fishing industry, but today many of its inhabitants are protected by international environmental law.

ionian sea

The Ionian Sea separates the Apennine and Balkan Peninsulas. There are two versions explaining the appearance of such a name. According to the first of them, it was associated with a tribe of Ionians who lived on the local islands. And according to the second version, the sea bears the name of the princess Io - the beloved of Zeus, who turned into a cow and in this form crossed the sea.

The Ionian Sea is notable for being the saltiest and deepest part of the Mediterranean basin. The maximum depth here exceeds 5000 m.

The best resorts of the Ionian Sea - Loutraki, Xylokastro, Sykeia and others - are concentrated mainly on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth. Many tourists prefer to relax not in mainland Greece, but on the local islands - Lefkada, Kitira, Zakynthos.

Aegean Sea

The Aegean Sea was named after the legendary king of Athens - Aegeus, who threw himself into the sea waters after he received the tragic news.

The Aegean Sea is not as warm as other seas washing Greece, so already in October tourists practically do not come here. There are many Greek and Turkish resorts here: Glyfada, Paleo Faliro, Marmaris, Kusadasi. On the coast are the two main cities of Greece - Athens and Thessaloniki, which annually attract thousands of tourists.

The Aegean Sea is famous for its special purity and azure hue of water. In some areas, underwater visibility can be up to 30 meters. This feature attracts many divers to the Aegean coast. Some species of dolphins, sharks safe for humans, as well as many varieties of fish and shellfish are found in the sea.

The southern part of the Balkan Peninsula is occupied by the sea queen of the Old World - hospitable country Greece. Its multiple islands are carefully washed by several seas. The sea for Greece is the core of its development and existence. Since ancient times sea ​​ships contributed rapid development trade relations, travelers conveyed information about this wonderful country to the world, seafood has always been at the heart of the Greek menu, and the climate and water have preserved and strengthened their health.

The Mediterranean basin includes the largest seas, the Ionian in the west, the Aegean in the east, and the Mediterranean in the south. In addition to these seas, there are also smaller seas: the Cretan, Balearic, Tyrrhenian, Alboran, Thracian, Ligurian, Libyan, Cypriot, Adriatic, Levantine seas.

This name "the sea in the middle of the earth" or the Mediterranean comes from the Latin expression Mare Mediterranea, since around its basin there are centers for the development of the state.

The sea is successfully located next to Asia, Africa and Europe, and 22 world states use its geography. In addition, this sea also has access through the straits to the Black, Red, Marmara Seas.

The most famous islands of Crete, Balearic, Cyprus, Euboea, Corsica, Sicily, Sardinia caress the waves of this beautiful Greek Sea. The excellent Mediterranean climate contributes to the interest in it of an increasing number of people around the world.

There are quite mild winters and dry hot summers, and the water pleases with temperatures up to 26 degrees in summer, and up to 23 degrees in October. Salty and very clear water always attracts many tourists from all over the world. Beaches resort islands Rhodes and Crete delight with sand and small pebbles, and weak tides do not interfere at all comfortable rest Here. Pleasure sea transport and developed network aquatic species sports make the trip here unforgettable and enjoyable.

Between Greece, Albania and Italy, there is a deep (more than 5 km) Ionian Sea. Fishing is very developed here. Mullet, tuna, flounder, mackerel are the most popular catches among fishermen.

The warm and calm waters of this sea contribute to the development of tourism in the cities of Patra, Corinth, Nemea, Loutraki, Sykeia, Perahora. The coast of the Peloponnese is considered a real paradise for holidaymakers.

Recreation for the elite will please the island of Corfu. Hotels in Dassia, Paleokastritsa, Agios, Glyfada, Benitses will attract the attention of tourists who value comfort at the highest level. The beaches of Lefkada attract with the beauty of the cliffs and crystal water. No less famous in the Ionian Sea are the islands of Kefalonia, Othoni, Ithaca, Kefalonia. It is pleasant to rest here from October to June. Water in the sea in winter is +14, and in summer it heats up to +26 degrees.

This sea is comfortably located between Turkey and Greece. The legend goes like this: the name of these waters was given by the inhabitants in honor of the Athenian king Aegeus, who died in them. He saw a ship under black sails and, thinking that his son Theseus had died in the fight against the Minotaur, from grief threw himself into the sea from a sheer cliff.

The Aegean Sea is cooler compared to other seas in Greece. Water in summer heats up to +23. The wind often blows and the waves rise quite high. The climate is dry and the heat is easily tolerated, so the season for vacationers here is longer - April-October.

The maximum depth is 2.249 km. Sea waters here are salty, the density is high. Because of this, swimming is easy for both children and divers. And the wind helps windsurfing.

They live in the depths of the sea sea ​​urchins, cuttlefish, handsome white-barreled dolphins, fish "clowns", "parrots", you can meet cat sharks (non-dangerous and small).

Fans of scuba diving will love the many colorful underwater caves, and the sunken sea ships will delight history buffs.

Greece from Ukraine

Many sea ​​beaches Greece are holders of the prestigious Blue Flag, and in 2017 the country ranked second after Spain in terms of their number.

You can get to Greece easily and quickly by planes of UIA, DART, Aegean Airlines, FlexFlight.

While on vacation in Greece, few can resist the temptation to go to the beach and swim in the sea. It is not without reason that Greek resorts are popular in the world: a pleasant climate, almost constant bright sun and hundreds of beaches attract tourists. You can relax in Athens, Thessaloniki, Peloponnese, i.e. in the mainland of the country, or you can go to the Greek islands: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Euboea, etc. So travelers face a difficult choice: which resort to go to relax? And in this article we will tell you which sea in Greece to choose for a beach holiday, and also briefly describe all the seas washing the Greek coast.

A little about the geographical position of Greece

Greece is a southern European country, total area which is 132,000 km 2. It is located on the Balkan Peninsula, in its southernmost part. Also, the state includes over 2 thousand islands of nearby water areas. By sea and on land, Greece borders on 4 states:

• Albania;
• Turkey;
• Macedonia;
• Bulgaria.

The physical map shows that Greece is surrounded by coastal waters, but the question of which of the seas washes the country of Greece is at least incorrect. The fact is that due to the wide extent and heterogeneous territory of the country, its shores are washed by not one large sea, but several at once. So Greece is very diverse, but we will describe which sea which regions of the state washes in the sections below.

Greece coastline

The coast of Greece stretches for a total of 15 thousand kilometers. Of these, 4 thousand are on the mainland, and everything else in total is the Greek islands. In general, the land part of Greece is classified into the following categories:

• peninsulas;
• mainlandPart;
• Major islands;
• Small uninhabited islands.

So the territory that is washed by the seas in Greece is very heterogeneous and tortuous, due to which there are many bays, bays and capes in local resorts.

Islands of the Greek Seas

Each Greek azure sea hosts hundreds of islands in its water area. All of them are territorially united into groups and archipelagos.

As you can see, only the number of the largest objects is highlighted in each group. And besides them, tens and hundreds of small uninhabited islands can also be noted. But we digressed a little, and did not find out which sea washes Greece. Let's return to the main topic of the material.

How many seas are there in Greece

As already noted, the number of seas that wash Greece is due to an extended and intermittent coastline. But there is another influential factor: scientific classification. Some scientists consider the Mediterranean to be a single marine area, then it turns out that the Greeks have one Mediterranean Sea. But a number of researchers think differently: the waters of the Mediterranean are heterogeneous, therefore, according to its distinctive features, it can be divided into several parts. So, the following small seas are distinguished in the Mediterranean water area:

• Ionic;
• Aegean;
• Cretan;
• Libyan;
• Alboran;
• Tyrrhenian;
• Balearic;
• Adriatic;
• Ligurian;
• Cyprus.

That is, under one name, a dozen sea waters of different properties are combined. And it is noteworthy that 7 of them are the seas washing mainland Greece and its islands. Thus, in terms of the number of coastal waters, Greece overtakes any European country.

And now let's look at the Greek sea areas and tourism at local resorts in more detail. So, finally, the time has come to find out which seas wash Greece from the east, west and in the central part.

When asked what seas Greece is washed by, many will answer the Mediterranean - and they will be partly right. The waters of this sea wash the southern Greek shores and closely adjoin smaller seas. The Mediterranean Sea also connects the Greek waters with the Atlantic Ocean through narrow straits.

The Latin expression "Mare Mediterranea" translates as "Sea in the middle of the Earth." This perception is due to the fact that most of the ancient states were founded precisely on the shores of the Mediterranean basin. So the sea was a kind of center of the countries of ancient civilization.

Mediterranean weather and resorts are considered among the the best places where you can relax in Greece. The sea here is quiet, calm and quite warm: the water temperature in June is already fixed at +23°C, and by August it rises to +26°C. In addition, the local waters are rich in salt content, and high / low tides and undercurrents are not typical for these places. So the mediterranean great option for holidays in Greece with children.

The water area of ​​this reservoir is rarely marked by cartographers, because. it is mostly considered the southern part of the Aegean. However, a number of researchers still distinguish it as a separate water area.

In antiquity, these sea waters were called the Karpathos Sea. It is easy to guess that this name comes from the island of Karpathos, located between Crete and Rhodes.

The borders of the Cretan Sea stretch from the northern coast of Crete to the Cyclades archipelago. The main characteristic of local waters is unpredictability. Here you can find both complete calm and unexpected storms with high waves. But in times of bad weather, vacationers are greatly saved by cozy coves, sheltered from the winds by rocky shores. The temperature of the waters in the Cretan waters is one of the highest (+26°C in summer), while there are areas where the thermometer readings do not fall below +19°C all year round!

But for tourists, Cretan waters are not only a warm sea, but also dozens of the best and beautiful beaches Greece. After all, its water area includes the entire northern coast of Crete, on which the most popular local resorts are located. The beaches here are characterized extraordinary beauty, clear waters, comfortable infrastructure and, of course, diversity. In Crete, couples, young people, athletes and lovers of secluded relaxation have a great time.

A small water area along the coast of Thrace. From east to west, it stretches from the Greek peninsula of Halkidiki to the Turkish Gallipoli peninsula, and in the south it reaches the island of Lemnos (Greece). The sea is quite warm, and the salinity of local waters reaches 35%.

Among the beaches of Greece in the Thracian Sea, attention should be paid to the coasts of the islands of Thassos and Samothraki.

An ancient term denoting the southwestern part of the Aegean near the island of Myrtle, which was located in the south of about. Euboea.

Mentions of the Myrtoan Sea are often found in the writings of ancient authors: Horace, Strabo, Pliny the Elder and many others. At the same time, data on the exact geographical location the seas are different. According to the most common version, it is believed that, stretching from Euboea to the Cyclades and Laconia, the Myrtoan Sea also included waters from Attica to Crete. As a matter of fact, even now this area is filled with sea water, but modern geographers do not single it out as a separate area of ​​the Aegean Sea.

So, now we are familiar with all the marine areas of Greece, and we can say with confidence that this is a country of 7 seas. But which one should tourists choose? We will discuss further.

Which sea is the warmest in Greece?

The choice of resort largely depends on the purpose of the trip. For example, surfers care about wave height and wind speed. Divers first of all evaluate the purity and depth of the waters, and also note the richness of the underwater world and places of interest to visit (caves, sunken ships, etc.). Couples with children are more interested in sandy beaches with safe entry into the water.

But all of them, as well as other tourists, as a rule, are also interested in the question of which sea in Greece is the warmest. And here it is immediately worth noting that the assessment depends not only on the characteristics of the seas, but also on the season.

In summer, the temperature of seaside waters is comfortable on almost all coasts: at least you will not find the Greek sea with a temperature below +22°C during the season. But the middle of spring and the beginning of autumn are best spent on the southeastern shores of Greece. For a beach holiday at this time of the year, only the coasts of Crete and Rhodes are suitable. Therefore, the warmest in Greece can be called the Cretan and Mediterranean seas.

Which seas of Greece have the best beaches

The same criteria are typical for the choice of beaches. Most tourists like the soft sandy beaches of Greece. By the way, they are white, and golden, and red, and pink, and even black! Unusual color give sand natural features terrain. But there are also many lovers of pebble beaches: pebbles are less binding and do not get into clothes and bags, like small grains of sand. Therefore the choice best beach Greece is purely a matter of taste.

So come to Greece and evaluate the seas and beaches according to your own impressions. Fortunately, there is a large choice here: Kerkyra, Rhodes, Crete, Halkidiki, Peloponnese and many other regions are always glad to tourists. And if you also book hotels in Greece for a promotion, then the rest will be pleasant both in terms of impressions and finances.

Have fun trips!

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