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).