Sea of Marmara, Adjacent sea in Turkey
The Sea of Marmara is an inland sea connecting the Bosphorus in the east with the Dardanelles in the west, separating the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. Its coastline features several large cities including Bursa and Kocaeli, while several inhabited islands rise from its waters.
Marmara Island gave the sea its name because of its marble quarries, which supplied building material for cities around the Mediterranean since ancient times. The waterway itself served as a central trade route between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea for centuries.
The coastal municipalities around the Sea of Marmara represent thirty percent of Turkey's population, forming a central hub for maritime trade and industrial development.
Ship routes between Istanbul and other coastal cities follow strict safety regulations managed by the Turkish Coast Guard. Travelers on board should prepare for changing weather conditions, as wind and currents can shift quickly.
The waters here consist of two different layers: a surface layer with lower salinity from the Black Sea and a deeper layer with Mediterranean properties. This structure allows fish species from both regions to meet inside the same basin.
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