The Marmara Sea is an inland sea surrounded by Turkey, dividing the nation into its Asian and European parts.
It is linked to the Black and Aegean Seas through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits, respectively.
The Sea of Marmara is the smallest inland sea in the world, covering an area of 11,350 km2.
The sea has varying levels of salinity at different depths, leading to two-layer stratification and two different current systems.
The Marmara Island is the largest island in the sea, is home to four villages and two towns and has marble quarries.
The sea has an interesting geological history and was formed due to severe tectonic plate movements around 2.5 million years ago.
It has been extensively used by Ancient Greeks, who established many colonies along its coast.
The Princes’ Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Istanbul, are also located in the Marmara Sea and consist of four main islands and five smaller ones.