Silva Wischeropp
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea's main characteristics are its low salinity (brackish water), resulting from numerous rivers and limited exchange with the saltier North Sea, as well as its diverse coastal formations (sandy beaches, cliffs, dunes) and rich culture, including beach chairs, piers, and seaside resort architecture shaped by the Ice Age. It is the world's largest brackish sea and ecologically sensitive, as evidenced by species such as seagrass meadows. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water, resulting in a significantly lower salinity than the oceans (from approximately 17 g/L in the west to less than 5 g/L in the east), with minimal saltwater input from the North Sea. Compared to the North Sea, there are hardly any tides. Coastal landscape: Formed by Ice Age glaciers, with long sandy beaches, cliffs (e.g., the Brodtener Steilküste), and numerous islands. Seagrass meadows are important "nurseries" and oxygen producers for the underwater world. Amber is known as "gold of the sea" and is found in large deposits. Cultural and historical highlights: Beach chair: Invented in the Baltic Sea resort of Warnemünde. Piers: Germany's oldest is located in Ahlbeck. Seaside resort architecture: Many historic villas can be found in the seaside resorts. Fish sandwich: A culinary specialty that is celebrated. Störtebeker Festival: Folk festivals centered around the pirate on Rügen.
