Why the Black Sea is important for trade?

The Black Sea is an important year-round transportation artery, linking the eastern European countries with world markets. Istanbul on the Sea of Marmara is Turkey’s main port, while the Danube acts as a huge trade artery for the Balkan countries.

Why is the Baltic Sea important to Russia?

The Baltic Sea provides a bargaining chip for the Baltic States, who need a source of power to combat post-Soviet Russia. The Baltic Sea is still very much a political area, important for both naval strength as well as economic gain.

Which trade route linked the Black Sea to Russia?

As a port on the Ancient Silk road then and as a gateway to Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Asia nowadays, Trabzon constitutes “a junction of the routes that link central Asia and India over Persia to Mediterranean, leading to Europe through the straits and Aegean Sea, and to Eastern Europe and Russia by …

Why was the Dardanelles so important?

The Dardanelles have always been of great strategic importance because they link the Black Sea with the Mediterranean Sea and provide the only seaward access to the ancient city of Constantinople (Istanbul). During the First World War, Turkey heavily fortified the Dardanelles with both minefields and shore batteries.

Why are the Baltics important?

While small in size and population, the Baltic states are key NATO members and staunch defenders of economic freedom, liberal democracy, and human rights. Deterring Russian aggression and defending the Baltic states will be far easier and cheaper than liberating them.

What did Russia trade?

Russian main exports are energy (oil and petroleum products, gas, coal), rolled steel, ferrous and nonferrous metals and minerals. The greater part of Russian exports belongs to oil and petroleum products. Other leading exports are natural gas, timber, fertilizers, machinery and equipment, armaments.

Why are Russia’s Black Sea ports so important?

Throughout history, Russia’s Black Sea ports, as the country’s only warm water ports, have always served its economic interests. For example, on the eve of World War I, 50 percent of all Russian exports, and 90 percent of its agriculture exports, passed through the Bosphorus out of the Black Sea.

What does the control of the Black Sea mean?

The control of the Black Sea also means total control over the Sea of Azov (a small body of water surrounded by Russia and Ukraine connected to the Black Sea by the Kerch Strait). This important point is often overlooked.

What is NATO doing in the Black Sea to deter Russia?

For its part, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has tried to do more in the Black Sea to deter Russian aggression in recent years but with mixed success. Due to disagreements among NATO’s Black Sea members there has been no agreed Black Sea strategy by the Alliance.

Which countries have coastlines on the Black Sea?

Beside Russia, the other countries that have coastlines on the Black Sea are Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia and Turkey.