The Mediterranean Sea is a large body of saltwater, about 2,500 miles long and 500 miles wide, which touches several different countries, including Italy, Turkey and Greece, in both Asia and Europe. On the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea lies the Sea of Crete. This sea in turn flows into the Aegean Sea, which flows into the Dardanelles Strait. This strait joins the Sea of Marmara with the Bosporus Strait, which finally flows into the Black Sea.
The Sea of Crete is part of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea is at the southwestern edge of the Sea of Crete, while the Aegean Sea is just north. The Sea of Crete lies between the island of Crete, which is south of the sea, and the Cyclades islands in the north. This sea is about 10,000 feet deep at its deepest, making it the deepest part of the Aegean Sea.
The Aegean Sea has a number of islands scattered throughout it, and is often associated with the legend of Atlantis, the ancient island that is thought to have sunk into the sea. Aside from its legendary status, the Aegean Sea is of import in both scientific and historical ways. The islands throughout the sea allowed for travel and communication in ancient times. The sea's unique bay-like shape is often studied for its unusual characteristics. The Aegean Sea is 380 miles long and approximately 186 miles wide. It is north of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Dardanelles Strait cuts through Asian Turkey, to the south, and European Turkey, to the north, separating both the country and the Asian and European continents. This narrow strait connects the Aegean Sea, to the southwest, to the Marmara Sea in the northeast. The Dardanelles strait also provides an important route of transportation between the regions surrounding the two seas.
The Sea of Marmara is completely surrounded by the country of Turkey and, like the Dardanelles Strait, separates both the Turkish country and the continents of Asia and Europe. The Sea of Marmara is an important trade route from western Asia to Russia and Europe. The Sea of Marmara is home to the Princes' Islands, the Marmara Islands and Imrali Island, on which a prison stands. This prison houses only one inmate, a Kurdish terrorist.
The Bosporus Strait is the final link in the chain between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. This strait connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. The strait is about 20 miles long and approximately 2 miles wide at its widest. It is bordered at its southern end by Istanbul, a large city in Turkey. Again, this strait is an important link in the trade route from Asia to Russia and Europe.
