Black Sea Port Cities And Towns

The Black Sea is a major inland sea lying between southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. The sea is bordered by six countries, Romania and Bulgaria to the west, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia to the north and east and Turkey to the south. The Black Sea is also influenced by another ten nations through the five major rivers that empty into it, the largest being the Danube. Over the centuries, Black Sea Port cities and towns have played an important role in the economy of the region.

Russia is one of the major countries bordering the Black Sea. It not only has vast agricultural produce of grains, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables and fruits but has extensive heavy industries and large mining operations. Novorossijsk is the Russias primary Black Sea Port and its only deep water port on that sea. It is also a major oil port. Caucasus and Tuapse are other important Russian ports on the Black Sea.

Ukraine is Europes second largest country. In the fertile central and south regions agriculture is the main occupation while industries are based on the countrys large mineral deposits like coal, iron ore, manganese and bauxite. Its major Black Sea Port cities are Illichivsk,Odessa and Sebastopol. Georgia is another country which was formed after the break up of the former Soviet Union. The coastal region of the country along the Black Sea enjoys a Mediterranean climate which makes it conducive to tourism. Its major ports on the Black Sea are Batumi, Sobumi and Pokhi.

The southern part of the Black Sea is bordered by Turkey. Its principal Black Sea Port is Istanbul which is the only city in the world to lie on two continents – Europe and Asia. Being a bustling port town, Istanbul is crucial to the economy and trade of the country. Politically too, it has been of importance to the region for the past 2000 years. It has been the capital of three great empires of the past, the Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman and gone through various name changes from Byzantium to Constantinople to the present Istanbul.

Romania lies on the west of the Black Sea. The countrys most important river, the Danube flows through a delta in the Dobruja region into the Black Sea. Constanta is Romanias principal Black Sea Port and it is the largest urban center of the country. The country has a chain of resorts along the Black Sea. The sun, air, Black Sea water and the thermal mud treatments are said to have restorative powers.

Bulgaria, also on the west of the Black Sea, is a mix of various ethnic groups, the Bulgars, Slavs, Thracians, Armenians, Greeks, Romans and Turks. Bulgaria relies on the Black Sea for fishing, commerce and tourism at major resorts. The largest Black Sea Port in Bulgaria is Varna which is also the countrys second largest city. Bourgos and Sozopol are other important fishing ports.Ocean.udel.edu