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Marmara Sea
Marmara Sea, Sea of Marmara,
Sea of Marmora, c.4,430 sq.mi (11,474 sq km), NW Turkey, between Europe
in the north and Asia in the south. The Sea of Marmara, c.175 mi (280 km) long and 50 mi (80 km) wide, is connected o the east with the Black
Sea through the Bosphorus and on the west with the Aegean Sea (part of
the Mediterranean Sea) through the Dardanelles.
Istanbul is located at
the entrance of the bosphorus into the Sea of Marmara. The sea has no
strong currents and the tidal range is minimal. In ancient times the sea
was known as Propontis from its position relative to the Black Sea. Its
modern name is derived from the small island of Marmara or Marmora
(ancient Proconnesus), famous for its extensive marble quarries.
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