Baltic Sea: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026

News •

Finland Sends 2 Men to Prison for Damaging Undersea Cable in Baltic Sea • Nov. 5, 2026, 8:06 AM ET (New York Times)

Shipwrecks can become thriving reefs, but may contain hidden toxic time bombs • Oct. 20, 2026, 7:40 PM ET (Phys.org)

Photos and Videos

Map showing the physical features, major cities, and national boundaries around the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and English Channel regions of northern and western Europe. The map highlights coastal countries including the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia, with sea depths indicated and key islands, peninsulas, and underwater trenches labeled.

Coast of Bornholm, Denmark

The East Bridge of the Great Belt Fixed Link, a large suspension bridge with tall towers and cables, spans across the water between Zealand and Funen in Denmark.

Steep white chalk cliffs rise sharply with sparse trees along the top edge on the eastern coast of Mon island, Denmark.

Chalk cliffs at Stubbenkammer promontory on the island of Rügen, Ger.

Ostseebad Ahrenshoop, Ger., on the Baltic Sea.

The Marienkirche with its twin green spires rises above the central market square, surrounded by red-roofed buildings in Lubeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

The Kiel Canal, running from the mouth of the Elbe River to the Baltic Sea, Kiel, Ger.

Gdańsk shipyard

Learn why the construction of dykes is crucial in protecting the north German coastlines

Overfishing: A threat to the oceans and marine life

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Weddell Sea Bermuda Triangle North Sea Caribbean Sea Sargasso Sea Irish Sea Norwegian Sea Labrador Sea Scotia Sea Bothnian Sea

wave. ocean. Cresting ocean wave. Large sea waves. storm, hurricane, tropical cyclone

All About Oceans and Seas Quiz

water glass on white background. (drink; clear; clean water; liquid)

Water and its Varying Forms