The largest and warmest Greek island of Crete is washed by the three seas of the Mediterranean: the northern coast - the Cretan, the southern - the Libyan (separates Greece from Africa), the western - the Ionian. However, local residents often use their names for these seas, which in total number more than ten.
In this article we will dwell in more detail on one of the most remarkable reservoirs created by nature. This is the Cretan Sea, often also called the Aegean. But first, we will provide general information about the magnificent and numerous seas of Greece.
Seas of greece
Tourists, going on a trip or on vacation to Greece, first of all choose not a specific resort, namely the sea. And in this case, tourists have a great opportunity to choose, since Greece is surrounded by many seas.
Most of the maps represent only the above 3 seas. Once on the beach, tourists can find that they are either on the Cretan Sea, or on the Balearic or Libyan. The Mediterranean basin includes the following seas:
- Aegean (Cretan Sea);
- Ionian;
- Adriatic
- Ligurian;
- Alboran;
- Libyan
- Tyrrhenian;
- Balearic
The northern part of Greece itself is also washed by the Thracian Sea, and the southwestern zone of the Aegean Sea is the Myrtle Sea.
While on vacation right here, you can learn in more detail about the modern division of the seas washing the outskirts of the cities of one of the most ancient and wonderful countries of the world, attracting travelers from all over the world with its amazing nature.
Seas around Crete
- The Cretan Sea is often called the Aegean. Many unknowingly argue about the names, not suspecting that both are correct. A more detailed description of this amazing natural reservoir will be given below.
- The Libyan Sea separates the island from Libya. The coastline of Greece from the side of this sea is steeper and covered with sheer cliffs. Beaches are not very popular here. But in the summer, this sea is calmer than the northern Cretan.
- The Ionian Sea, washing the island from the western side, is famous for its surprisingly beautiful, changing shades of the water surface at different times of the day. For example, the Balos lagoon is distinguished by the fact that here the sea waters shine with more than 15 shades. The sea in this place is warm, rather shallow, therefore convenient for families with children.
Sea Cretan
Local aborigines believe that the waters of the Carpathian Sea, whose name comes from the island of Karpathos, located east of the island, wash off the eastern side of Crete. This definition is little applied and has no official confirmation.
Due to the huge number of sandy beaches on the northern coast of the Cretan Sea, the territory of the island is quite famous and popular among numerous visiting tourists. In this regard, the Blue Flag award was received for the local recreation conditions that meet the highest modern requirements.
The Cretan Sea is very popular. Reviews of tourists who have ever rested on it are the most good and enthusiastic. Unforgettable impressions leave these places in the memory of every traveler. Probably the main reason for this is the large number of beaches covered with sand, smooth approaches to the sea and developed infrastructure.
In general, the sea lies between the island of Crete and the beautiful Cyclades archipelago (56 islands and islets around the ancient sacred island of Delos).
But it is the northern coast of the largest island of the Cretan Sea that boasts a considerable number of well-equipped beaches.
The sea is unpredictable in nature. Throughout the rest, you can catch both calm and waves that rise by the north winds. During this period, swimming becomes dangerous.
In any case, this sea remains one of the most popular and beloved by both romantics and extreme lovers.
Hydrography
What is the Cretan Sea in terms of hydrography? The water temperature on the surface in the winter season is from 11 to 15 degrees Celsius, and in the summer of 22-27 ° C. At a depth of more than 350 meters, its temperature remains unchanged throughout the year (about 13 ° C).
In the western part of the sea, the course has a direction to the south, and in the eastern it is directed to the north. Its speed is up to 0.5-1 kilometers per hour.
Due to the global warming of the water temperature of all seas (the Cretan Sea is no exception), the salinity of the waters is gradually increasing. This sea has a considerable salt concentration, greater than, for example, the Black Sea, and it is about 40.0%. For this reason, after bathing in such water, a shower with fresh water is necessary to avoid negative consequences for the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes.
Features
The Cretan Sea is characterized by semidiurnal tides, the magnitude of which can reach up to 60 centimeters.
It has a wayward and slightly unpredictable character. Calm water surface at times can suddenly become agitated, and then calm down. This is due to the prevailing winds in these places, blowing over the coast of the city of Chania (the former capital of the island of Crete and the second largest city in Greece), capable of raising big waves over the Libyan and Cretan seas in the summer.
Conclusion
The Cretan (Aegean) sea is ideal for all vacationers with completely different tastes. No wonder that artists, writers, musicians and just romantics often come to the island of Crete in search of inspiration.