Every Russian knows about such a resort as Crete. Thanks to the climatic features, you can relax here all year round. Summer on the island is dry and hot, winter is windy, moderately rainy, with an average temperature of +16 °C. The most comfortable time to rest is from April to October.
Will schoolchildren be able to answer the question, what seas are in Crete? Most likely, many people know only about the Mediterranean. But is it? If you look at the geographical map, it becomes clear that this statement is absolutely true. Yes, indeed, the island is located in the Mediterranean Sea. But after all, it is washed by other water areas, which are not even always displayed on maps. What are the seas of Crete? That is what we are about to find out. But before delving into this issue, we will present general information about the island itself.
Crete: a brief description
The Greek island of Crete is rightfully called the largest. If we considerfeatures of the geographical position, then it belongs to Europe (distance - 110 km). It is 300 km from the mainland of Africa, and 175 km from Asia. In which sea is Crete located? Of course, in the Mediterranean. Its area is more than 8000 sq. km. The coordinates on the geographical map are as follows: 35°18'35″ s. sh. 24°53'36 E e. The coastline has a length of more than 1000 km. The main sector of the economy is tourism. About 700 thousand people live on the island.
The relief of Crete is mainly represented by mountain ranges. Only coastal areas are low-lying, and plains are also rare. The seas of Crete are known to everyone, but the inland water resources on the island are insignificant. There are very few rivers here, they are mostly small in size. There are also two fresh lakes here. The largest cities of Crete are the capital Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon. A large number of the population is concentrated in them. Tourists come here not only to relax on the coast, but also to visit numerous attractions. There are many historical monuments on the island.
Mediterranean Sea
Studying the seas of Crete, first of all, it is worth highlighting the main water area - the Mediterranean Sea. It belongs to the intercontinental type. It belongs to the Atlantic Ocean, connected with it by the Strait of Gibr altar. It is located between Asia, Europe and Africa. The area of this water area is 2500 sq. km. The average depth is about 1500 m. But in the Central Basin it exceeds 5000 m.
There are 7 largeislands, including Crete. The coastline is different. Varies depending on the terrain. The low coast is represented by lagoon-estuary and deltaic shores, while the mountainous coast is represented by abrasion. In winter, the water temperature is in the range from +8 °С to +17 °С, in summer it rises to +25°…+30 °С. Due to the large evaporation in the Mediterranean Sea, a relatively high level of salinity. Given these indicators, this area is one of the warmest and s altiest seas in the World Ocean. The color of the water is intense blue, the transparency is quite high, it is about 50 m. Semi-diurnal tides are observed. Their size ranges from 1 m to 4 m. The largest waves can reach 7 m. Representatives of the fauna of the Mediterranean Sea are diverse, but the number of individual species is small. White-bellied seal and sea turtles live in the water area. There are more than 500 species of fish here.
The seas that make up the Mediterranean Sea
According to the IHO (International Hydrographic Organization), the Mediterranean Sea is divided into several smaller areas. These are the Aegean, Ionian (seas of Crete), Balearic, Tyrrhenian, etc. It is interesting that some of them are not recognized by this organization. However, they have been known since ancient times. These water areas were given names. For example, those that wash Crete are Cretan, Libyan and Carpathian. In total, the Aegean includes six unrecognized seas. Their names are currently used, but the water area data is not displayed on maps.
So, based on this information, we can conclude that the island of Cretewashed by four seas:
- West Coast - Ionian.
- Eastern - Carpathian.
- Northern Crete - Aegean.
- South - Libyan.
Ionian Sea, West Crete
Which sea washes the western side of the island? This is a small water area, which is part of the Mediterranean, called the Ionian Sea. It is located between the islands of Crete (Greece) and Sicily (Italy), and also washes the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas. The area of the water mirror is almost 170 thousand square meters. km. It is here that the deepest point of the Mediterranean Sea is located.
On average, depths do not exceed 2000 m. The coastline is covered with shell rock or sand, which are replaced by silt. The bottom has the shape of a basin. In winter, the water temperature drops to +14 °C. In the summer months, it is quite comfortable for swimming - an average of +25 °C. On the western side, the island is dominated by green vegetation. The resorts of Agia Marina, Maleme, Platanias and Gerani have been built on the coast of the Ionian Sea.
The Libyan Sea
Water, which water area is washed by the southern coast of Crete? Sea of Libya. It is part of the Mediterranean. It also washes the coast of Libya (Africa), thanks to which it got its name. The coastline is heavily indented. There are practically no sandy beaches, rocky formations predominate. The infrastructure on the coast is not very well developed, since it is the Libyan Sea that is considered the coldest. Its temperature reaches its maximum in August, not exceeding +23 °С. Aton the banks of the water has a pale blue color, transparency - 50 m.
Aegean Sea
The northern part of the island is washed by the Aegean Sea. Its borders are Asia Minor, the Balkan Peninsula and the island of Crete. The sea occupies a territory with an area of about 180 thousand square meters. km. Its coastline is usually composed of mountain formations. Depths vary from 200 to 1000 m. The largest depression is in the south. Its depth is more than 2500 m. In the Aegean Sea, the salinity level reaches 40 ppm. This figure is considered high. Summer water temperatures reach an average of +25 °C. In winter it cools down to +10…+15 °С. Starting from a depth of 350 m, the water temperature stays at the same level all year round - +13 ° С. Tides of no more than 60 cm are observed. The environmental problems of the Aegean Sea are very acute. Basically, the water area is polluted with oil and sewage.
Carpathian Sea, East Crete
The sea, which the locals call the Carpathian, is part of the Cypriot water area. It is part of the Aegean. Although it is not recognized by an international organization, it looks like an independent water area on the map. The east coast of Crete, which is washed by the Carpathian Sea, has a wide variety of beaches from sandy to pebbly. There are many small bays here.
You could say that the east coast is not fully developed. However, this also has its advantages. Marines roam the beachesturtles, crystal clear water, no noisy companies, cleanliness and virgin nature around. In summer, the water temperature rarely exceeds +22 °С.
