Baltic Sea, Estonia

Baltic Sea, Estonia

The Baltic Sea in northeast Europe possesses the characteristics of seas, lakes and estuaries, but is in fact a sea. Technically, it is classified as a brackish sea, meaning it is not entirely fresh and not entirely saline. The Baltic Sea is joined to the Atlantic Ocean through three straits in Denmark: the Oresund, Great Belt and Little Belt. It isn’t landlocked, but it does border many countries, including Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – which is featured in today’s image.

Like a lake, the Baltic is relatively shallow with an average depth of 45 metres. Its salinity is so low it nearly qualifies as freshwater. That’s because hundreds of rivers empty into the sea, and more fresh water falls into the sea in the form of rain and snow than evaporates. The Baltic can also be described as a giant estuary, into which flow dozens of rivers. Sailors favour the Baltic because there is very little current and tide, and even when surface winds increase, the seas remain relatively calm. Easy to navigate, and a gateway to so many lands, the Baltic has been integral to trade and commerce in the region for centuries. It has been known by many names, proof the Baltic is a true meeting place.