Why in the news?

• Germany said that a Russian military plane entered airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Baltic Sea

• Location
  • Semi-enclosed inland sea in Northern Europe, part of the North Atlantic Ocean system.
  • Lies between the Scandinavian Peninsula and continental Europe.
  • Connected to the Atlantic via the Danish Straits.
• Neighbouring Countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden.
• Major Gulfs
  • Gulf of Bothnia (between Sweden & Finland)
  • Gulf of Finland (towards Russia & Finland)
  • Gulf of Riga (Latvia & Estonia)
• Major Rivers Flowing to Sea
  • Neva River (Russia) – largest inflow.
  • Other important rivers: Vistula (Poland), Oder (Germany/Poland), Daugava (Latvia).
• What Characteristics: Shallow & brackish (low salinity due to heavy freshwater inflows).
• Connectivity
  • White Sea Canal → connects Baltic to White Sea (Russia).
  • Kiel Canal → connects Baltic to North Sea (German Bight).