Sea of Marmara

Sea of Marmara

The Sea of Marmara (Modern Greek: Μαρμαρα̃ Θάλασσα or Προποντίδα, Turkish: Marmara denizi) (also known as the Sea of Marmora or the Marmara Sea) is an inland sea that separates the Black Sea from the Aegean Sea (thus the Asian part of Turkey from its European part) by Bosporus and Dardanelles.

There are two major island groups known as Prince and Marmara islands. The latter group is rich in sources of marble and gives the sea its name (marmaros is the Greek word for marble).

Propontis (Προποντίς, -ίδος) was the ancient Greek name for the sea. The name derives from pro (before) and pont- (sea): the Greeks commonly sailed through the Propontis to reach the Black Sea.

For a map, see: Geography of Turkey