The Baltic Sea has some fascinating and quirky nautical facts! Here are a few:
It’s (Almost) Freshwater! – The Baltic Sea is one of the least salty seas in the world, with its salinity much lower than the open ocean. This is because of the large amounts of freshwater coming in from rivers and limited exchange with the Atlantic. In some areas, you could almost drink it!
Sharks in the Baltic? – While not common, the spiny dogfish shark and porbeagle shark have been spotted in the Baltic Sea! However, because of the low salinity, large sharks like great whites don’t make it in.
Pirates Once Ruled the Waves – In the Middle Ages, the Baltic was a pirate’s paradise! The most notorious were the Victual Brothers, who raided trade ships and even sacked the city of Bergen in Norway.
The World’s Oldest Shipwrecks – Due to the low salinity and lack of shipworms, the Baltic Sea has some of the best-preserved shipwrecks in the world. The wreck of the Vasa, a Swedish warship from 1628, and the medieval ghostly shipwrecks in the “Baltic Sea Anomaly” area are legendary.
Ghost Fleet Underwater – There are thousands of shipwrecks in the Baltic, many still in perfect condition. Some date back to Viking times, while others are from World War I and II.
Rare Marine Life – The Baltic Sea is home to the only subspecies of harbor porpoise adapted to brackish water! These shy, dolphin-like creatures are incredibly rare.
It Freezes Over! – Unlike many seas, parts of the Baltic freeze during winter, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia. In the past, armies even marched across it during wars.
Thousands of Islands – The Baltic is dotted with over 30,000 islands, making it a dream for sailors and explorers. Sweden’s Stockholm Archipelago alone has around 24,000!
A Hidden Underwater Stonehenge? – In 2014, divers found a mysterious 12,000-year-old stone structure on the seafloor near Sweden. Some believe it was built by prehistoric humans!
Would you sail through the Baltic after hearing all this?
Author
