The Aegean Sea is a large bay in the eastern Mediterranean, located in the northeastern Mediterranean, between Greece and Turkey. The Aegean Sea is a must-pass waterway for countries along the Black Sea leading to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. It plays an important role in shipping and strategy.
1Basic information editing
Beautiful views of the Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea (Greek: Αιγα?ο Π?λαγο?) is Part of the Mediterranean Sea, located between the Greek Peninsula and the Asia Minor Peninsula, 610 kilometers long from north to south and 300 kilometers wide from east to west. The northeastern part of the Aegean Sea is connected to the Sea of ??Marmara via the Dardanelles Strait.
There are various explanations for the origin of the name of the Aegean Sea: from the ancient Aegean city; from an Amazon queen named Aegean, who was buried in the sea; It originated from Aegean, the father of Prince Theseus, who mistook Theseus for death and jumped into the sea heartbroken to commit suicide; it originated from the famous ancient Greek harpist Qin, whose dew collected formed the Aegean Sea.
A possible etymology is Αιγ-, meaning wave, so Αιγα?ο Π?λαγο? means undulating sea.
Aegean Sea (20 photos)
The Aegean Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea, located between the Greek Peninsula and the Asia Minor Peninsula. The coastline is very tortuous, with many harbors and islands dotted around it. The distance between adjacent islands is very short. Standing on one island, you can see the opposite island clearly. Most of the islands in the Aegean Sea belong to Greece on the west coast, and a small part belongs to Türkiye on the east coast. The largest island in the sea is called Crete. Crete covers an area of ??about 8,300 square kilometers and is narrow from east to west. It is a barrier to the southern Aegean Sea.
2 Geographical Information Editor
Geographical Location
The Aegean Sea is located between the Greek Peninsula and the Asia Minor Peninsula. It leads to the Mediterranean Sea in the south, to the Black Sea in the northeast through the Dardanelles Strait, Sea of ??Marmara, and Bosporus, and to Crete in the south.
Climate type
The Aegean Sea has a Mediterranean climate, with mild and rainy winters and hot, dry summers with strong evaporation. The north wind prevails, but mild southwesterly winds sometimes blow from September to May of the following year.
Geology and landforms
Dream Greece - Fascination with the Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea has many islands dotted around it, a winding coastline, numerous bays, ports and A small haven. It is located in the area where the Eurasian plate and the African plate compress and collide. It is an unstable area of ??the crust, with many volcanoes and earthquakes.
It is 611 kilometers long, 299 kilometers wide, covers an area of ??214,000 square kilometers, and has an average depth of 570 meters. The deepest point is 3,543 meters east of Crete.
Island information
The coastline of the Aegean Sea is very tortuous, with many harbours, and there are about 2,500 islands in total. The islands of the Aegean Sea can be divided into seven archipelagos: the Thracian Islands, the Eastern Aegean Islands, the Sporadic Islands in the north, the Cyclades Islands, and the Saronic Islands (also known as the Argo-Saronic Islands). , Dodecanese and Crete. Many islands or island chains in the Aegean Sea are actually extensions of mountain ranges on land.
Satellite map of the Aegean Sea
One island chain extends to the island of Sio, and the other passes through the island of Evie Extending to Samos, there is also a chain from the Peloponnese to Rhodes via Crete. It is this island chain that separates the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean. Many islands have good harbors, but in ancient times, sailing on The Aegean Sea is not very safe. Many of the islands are volcanic and contain marble and iron deposits.
3 Name Origin Editor
The Aegean Sea-Mediterranean Sea is a vacation destination for nobles and tourists from all over the world, and the Aegean Sea located in the east is not only the cradle of Western European civilization, The origin of modern democracy is a symbol of romantic journey for Chinese tourists. Without the experience of taking a boat to the islands in the Aegean Sea for a few days, you are simply not qualified to be called an international player.
Map of the Aegean Sea
Legends about the Aegean Sea
In ancient times, there was a king named Minos, who ruled an island in the Aegean Sea Crete. The son of Minos was murdered by a conspiracy in Attica, Athens. In order to avenge his son, Minos challenged the people of Athens. Under God's punishment, Athens was filled with famines and plagues, and the people suffered greatly.
Challenged by Minos, the Athenians sued for peace. Minos asked them to send seven pairs of boys and girls to Crete every nine years.
Minos built a labyrinth with countless palaces on the island of Crete. The roads in the labyrinth were so winding and criss-crossed that no one could get out. Deep in the labyrinth, Minos kept a beast called the Minotaur, which had a body and a head. The 7 pairs of boys and girls sent by Athens each time were offered as offerings to the Minoan cattle.
This year is another year for worshiping boys and girls. Parents with boys and girls are terrified. Theseus, the son of Aegean, king of Athens, was deeply disturbed to see people suffering such misfortunes. He was determined to set out with the boys and girls and vowed to kill the Minotaur.
The people of Athens bid farewell to seven pairs of boys and girls, including Theseus, amid weeping sorrow. Theseus made an agreement with his father that if he killed the Minotaur, he would turn the black sails on the ship into white sails when he returned. As long as the black sails on the ship turn white, it proves that the Aegean king can see his son Theseus again.
Theseus led the boys and girls ashore in Crete. His handsomeness attracted the attention of the beautiful and intelligent Princess Ariadne, the daughter of King Mytheus. The princess expressed her love to Theseus and met him secretly. When she learned of Theseus' mission, she gave him a magic sword and a ball of string to protect Theseus from the Minotaur.
As soon as the smart and brave Theseus entered the maze, he tied one end of the ball of thread to the entrance of the maze, then let go of the ball of thread and walked along the complicated passage. , walking towards the depths of the maze. Finally, he found the monster Minotaur. He grabbed the Minoan bull by its horns and used the sword given by Princess Ariadne to kill it with all his strength. Then, he took the boys and girls and followed the route out of the maze. In order to prevent King Minos from pursuing him, they dug through the bottoms of all the Cretan ships on the seashore. Princess Ariadne helped them and escaped from Crete with them, sailing back home. After several days of sailing, I finally saw my motherland, Athens again. Theseus and his companions were extremely excited, singing and dancing, but he forgot the agreement with his father and did not change the black sail to a white sail. The King of the Aegean, who was eagerly waiting for his son's return, was waiting for his son's return at the seaside. When he saw that the returning ship still had black sails, he thought that his son had been eaten by the Minoan cattle. He was so distraught that he jumped into the sea and committed suicide. In memory of the Aegean King, the sea he jumped into was called the Aegean Sea from then on.
Aegina - the residence of Zeus' lover
Aegina is the island closest to Athens. What really made Aegina famous was Salamis, who saved Greece. The Temple of Afia, built on the island in the late 6th and early 5th centuries BC, is a typical representative building of the late Greek classical era.
Hydra Island - City of Artists
Hydra Island is about 3 hours flight from Athens. The island is long and thin, with clean alleys. Here, donkeys carry tourists leisurely around. The white walls, blue windows, and pink roof make the island even more cute. From time to time, clusters of red and purple flowers can be seen in the small courtyard. The lemon tree is filled with bright yellow lemon fruits, which are so heavy that the branches are bent. The transparency of the water here is the highest, and there are many estuaries and bays on the coast that penetrate deep into the island. These secluded estuaries are great swimming spots for those who prefer solitude.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Hydra's maritime trade was very developed, and many merchants became rich as a result. In the War of Independence that began in 1821, they armed their own fleets, actively engaged in combat, and made great contributions. To this day, Hydra is still a heroic island in the minds of Greeks. There are many mansions and compounds on the island, which are the properties of these wealthy businessmen, and they are also one of the scenery on the island. Because the island is quiet and beautiful, young artists from all over the world have come here to create art since ancient times, so it is known as the "Island of Artists". The gold and silver jewelry, glass porcelain, and decorations they make are all on display for anyone to buy. You can often see some unique handicrafts at reasonable prices. You can buy a very unique hand-painted glass bottle for 10 euros. The little girl selling the product smiled very pure, "This glass bottle is really good and the price is the best. I bought it for my mother's birthday." Several. "The little girl's last words touched me. The HYDRA island on the glass I bought has a pure sky and pure people.
All cars and motorcycles are prohibited from entering this island, which is probably one of the reasons why people like this place.
Poros Island - White House Forest
Poros Island is an island mountain town with beautiful scenery. The mountain town is dotted with lemon trees and olive trees, covered in greenery. Clear and bright white eaves. The buildings on the island are mainly white, with ancient styles. From time to time, brilliant flowers are revealed in the atmosphere of white walls. Amidst the waves, a stone-paved corridor winds up, gradually getting farther and farther, extending into the historical memory. of depth.
At dusk, colorful ships sail under the white walled city, reminding people of Agamemnon's fleet. Looking at the Peloponnese Peninsula, where is Thermopylae? Where are Leonidas and his three hundred warriors?
Michelondo Island - Counting Windmills
Michelondo Island, marked by windmills, is the Aegean Sea synonymous with the islands.
During the day, the beach in the bay is a good place for people to swim and sunbathe.
Sendovanni Island - Watch the most beautiful sunset
It takes about 5 hours to take a boat from Michelangelo Island to Sendovanni Island. After arriving, I learned that many tourist brochures and travel agencies have recommended Michelangelo Island and Senduvanni Island as the first choice for tourists.
A volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago created a large hole in the island. A large crescent-shaped piece became the main island, and there were several small islands around it. One small island, Naya Kameni, is still an active volcano.
The city of Senduyuni Island is built on the top of the crescent-shaped island.
Crete
Crete is the largest island in the sea, covering an area of ??more than 8,000 square kilometers. It is narrow from east to west and serves as a barrier to the southern Aegean Sea. Crete has a large area of ??fertile farmland, but other islands are relatively poor. Most of the Aegean islands belong to Greece on the west coast, and a small part belongs to Türkiye on the east coast.
Aegina
Aegina is the island closest to
Aegean Sea satellite photo
from Athens. This was once a beautiful fairyland on earth, where Zeus's most charming mistress was hidden. Perhaps the fig trees all over the mountains and plains were the fruits of their love back then. What really made Aegina famous was Salamis, who saved Greece. The Temple of Afia, built on the island in the late 5th and early 6th centuries BC, is a typical representative building of the late Greek classical era.
Counting windmills
Mykonos, marked by windmills, is synonymous with the Aegean Islands.
Aegean Sea
Mykonos is one of the Cyclades Islands in southern Greece. It is one of the most famous resort islands in the Aegean Sea. one. There are very few residents on the island, and it is quite quiet during the non-tourist time for about half of the year. After April, the tourist season begins, and tourists from all over the world fly to the island in an endless stream like migratory birds to enjoy the sunshine and beaches of the Mediterranean.
During the day, the beach in the bay is a good place for people to swim and sunbathe.
No wonder some restaurants are simply called "Sunset Restaurants". People drink and chat leisurely here. When the dazzling sunshine slowly turned into an orange-red fireball and fell from the sea level, the people watching the sunset bid farewell to the day on the sunny beach with cheers. Later, the hotspot for tourists moved to the city center, which is lined with shops.
The most beautiful sunset
It takes about 5 hours by boat from Mykonos to Saint Trini. After arriving, I learned that many tourist brochures and travel agencies have recommended Mykonos and Saint Trini as the first choices for tourists.
The city of Saint Trini is built on the top of a crescent-shaped island.
Natural resources
There is a lack of nutrients in the sea, so life is scarce. But the sea water is clear and calm, and the temperature is very high, so a large number of fish come from other areas to lay eggs. Most of the islands are rocky and barren. Northern islands are generally more wooded than southern islands. There are oil deposits near Thassos.
Main ports
The main coastal ports are Thessaloniki, Piraeus (Greece) and Izmir (Turkey).
Salinity Ocean Currents
Because evaporation is greater than precipitation, the salinity of seawater is higher, 36 to 39‰, which is higher than the Sea of ??Marmara and the Black Sea, thus causing the lighter water in the Black Sea. Seawater flows from the surface through the strait into the Aegean Sea, and the saltier seawater in the Aegean Sea flows through the lower layer of the strait to the Black Sea. The tides between the Greek peninsula and the island of Evia are famous for their fierceness and changeability. The surface seawater has a summer temperature of 24°C and a winter temperature of 10°C. At a depth of 490 meters, the temperature fluctuates between 14 and 18°C. The large amount of low-temperature water flowing from the Black Sea to the northeastern Aegean Sea has a certain impact on the water temperature of the Aegean Sea. The Black Sea currents contain less salt, which reduces the salinity of the Aegean Sea.
4 Travel Information Editor
Transportation
The transportation in the Aegean Sea is very convenient, including water, land and air. Here is a brief introduction to various Way.
Aviation: Santorini is an hour's flight from Athens, and Santorini Airport has several flights to Mykonos every day. During the summer peak season, connecting flights to Rhodes and Crete are also available.
Water transport: The PIREAS port on the outskirts of Athens is the hub for traveling to various islands in the Aegean Sea. You can choose to take the subway, bus or taxi to reach the port, and then take a ferry to reach various islands. Island and ferry tickets can be booked through travel agencies, purchased at the ticket offices of various steamship companies in the port, or purchased directly on the ship.
There are many types of boats. Normal-speed boats are generally larger, can carry cars, and have restaurants on board. Tickets vary according to class of accommodation, and you need to stay overnight on the ship to reach distant islands, so it is best to book a bed in advance. Many cruise companies operate day trips to Saronic Islands, and the round-trip on the same day also includes lunch on the ship, and the price is more than 20 US dollars. If you want to have a unique experience, it is recommended to drive a sailboat or yacht to various islands. This is the most fashionable way nowadays, which is exciting and fun. Summer is also the best time for sailing and yacht travel.
Bus: There are three airport bus lines from the International Airport of Athens to the city***. Visitors can choose to take the E19 line directly to the PIREAS port.
Subway: Transportation in Athens is very convenient. Almost all major attractions can be reached by subway. Take the subway from the center of Athens (green M1 line to the end point, the fare is 0.75 euros).
Taxi: It is also very convenient to take a taxi from the city to PIREAS port and then transfer to the ferry.
Note:
The ferry schedule from Athens to various islands in the Aegean Sea changes frequently, so tourists are reminded to check it carefully Pay attention to the exact time in the day's newspaper or the daily notice at the ticket office.
Be very careful when taking a taxi. Most taxi drivers in Athens like to bully foreigners, asking for exorbitant prices, not using the meter, not giving invoices or going around in circles. Therefore, the author gives a suggested price here. It costs about 10 euros to take a taxi from Athens to PIREAS port. Don’t be a fat sheep to be slaughtered at will.
When taking a bus or subway, you must validate your ticket on a special machine after getting on the bus or before entering the subway station. Once you are found to have no ticket or take the bus with an invalid ticket, you will be fined a huge amount. .
Accommodation
Accommodation in the Aegean Sea is like this unpredictable multi-island sea, full of exotic, free and passionate tones. You can choose hotels, inns, restaurants, etc. Camp by the sea or even live on a volcano to fully enjoy the pleasure of vacation.
Budget hotels: There are many budget hotels in the Aegean Islands with reasonable prices. There are prompts in each room explaining the type of room and the price in low and peak seasons. However, they are still controlled by the tourist police.
Restaurants: Most restaurants on the island provide accommodation, but do not provide breakfast. The price/performance ratio is still good. A single room is about 25 to 35 euros, and a double room is about 40 to 50 euros.
Youth hostels: There are youth hostels on most islands in the Aegean Sea. Among them, Athens International Youth Hostel (Athens International Youth Hostel) belongs to the International Youth Hostel Association. Most of the youth hostels on the islands are organized by Most hostels run by Greek youth hostels charge 8 to 10 euros, and are priced separately according to the off-peak and peak seasons.
Camping: Tourists can also choose to live on the beach or on top of a volcano, and then take a car to the beach for a swim. There are also many campsites on various islands in the Aegean Sea, but many are only open between April and October. Standard facilities include hot showers, kitchens, restaurants and mini markets, and often swimming pools. The price varies according to the facilities. Generally speaking, it costs 4.5 to 6 euros per adult, 3.5 euros for a small tent, and 6 euros for a large tent.
Note: Each hotel and restaurant will set prices according to the off-peak and peak seasons, so the prices are unstable. If tourists feel that they have been cheated, they can call the tourist police directly.
Hope to adopt it, thank you!