The Black Sea is one of two major bodies of water between Asia and Europe. Although the Caspian Sea is actually a lake, the Black Sea itself is part of the world's ocean systems. It has seen a fair amount of history, and is enjoying something of a resurgence in the tourist trades. It is also an important connector with the Mediterranean for Russia, Ukraine and other neighboring nations.
The Black Sea is an inland sea north of Turkey in the southeast corner of Europe. It flows through a series of straits into the Aegean, and is a major connector to the Mediterranean. It is approximately 160,000 square miles in surface area and as much as 7,300 feet deep.
The Black Sea is a saltwater sea and therefore hosts a wide array of sea life. This includes animals such as jellyfish and sea horses. Pollution led to large-scale environmental problems with the sea, but subsequent efforts at cleanup have led to a modest recovery.
There are a number of possible reasons for the name, but the most likely seems to be an ancient tradition of identifying certain colors with direction. In this case, Black means "north" and so the designation means "North Sea."
The Black Sea has played a large role in shipping, both in historical and modern times. Ancient trade routes flowed over it into the Mediterranean, a path also used by modern Russia to ship its oil to the world.
The Black Sea has also been something of a resort location, especially in modern times. It was a popular location for the citizens of the Soviet Union, and since the fall of the USSR it has seen increased tourism from the surrounding regions.
