Marmara

The Marmara, commonly known as the Sea of Marmara, is an inland sea in northwestern Turkey. It connects the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits and lies between the European and Asian parts of the country. Its northern coast is dominated by Istanbul, and its southern and eastern shores border the Marmara Region and other provinces.

Extending roughly 270 kilometers in length and up to about 80 kilometers in width, the sea covers an area of around 11,000 to 12,000 square kilometers. It contains several basins and numerous islands, including the Princes’ Islands off Istanbul’s coast. The maximum depth is about 1,370 meters.

Water exchange with the surrounding seas is limited by the straits, resulting in a water column with layered salinity and distinct ecosystems. The area faces environmental pressures from shipping, industry, and pollution. The region is seismically active; the North Anatolian Fault runs along or just north of the sea, posing earthquake risk to nearby populations and infrastructure.

The Marmara Sea is a major shipping route and economic corridor, hosting ports such as Istanbul, Bandırma, and Tekirdağ, and supporting fishing, coastal tourism, industry, and commerce. The surrounding Marmara Region is Turkey’s most populous and industrialized area.

The name Marmara is thought to derive from the Greek marmaros, meaning marble, though its exact origin is uncertain. Historically, the straits have linked Europe and Asia and have been strategic waterways since ancient times, used by Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations. Note: Marmara is also the name of Turkey’s Marmara Region, a geographic and administrative area in the northwest.