What Is an Inland Sea?

An inland sea is a large body of saltwater largely enclosed by land but maintaining a significant, natural connection to the world ocean. Examples:

• Mediterranean Sea: Connected to Atlantic via Strait of Gibraltar.
• Red Sea: Connected to Indian Ocean via Bab el-Mandeb.
• Baltic Sea: Connected to North Sea via Danish straits.
• Black Sea: Connected to Mediterranean via Bosporus/Marmara/Dardanelles.

They often occupy tectonic basins partially isolated from open ocean, leading to unique salinity, circulation, and ecosystems.