The Black Sea from space Swirls of color ranging from deep olive green to bright turquise were created by a massive phtoplankton bloom that covered the entire surface of the Black Sea on this image taken 20 June 2006. Many of Europe's rivers, including the Danube, the Dnister, and the Dnipro (Dnieper) dump fresh water into the sea. The sea's only source of salty water is the narrow Bosporus Strait, shown in the southwest, lower left, which connects it to the Mediterranean Sea through the Sea of Marmara. The diamond-shaped landmass that projects into the sea from the north is Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

NOTE: The information regarding Ukraine on this page is re-published from the source noted below the photo. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Ukraine information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Ukraine should be addressed to the source noted below the photo.