45 minutesMy name is Lagoon Cockle. You can find me at the seashore. I've been dropping in there on vacation for 14,000 years now with a fellow Baltic Clam and Blue Mussel. We are seashells. We used to be clam houses, just as snail shells act as their homes.
Since our residents have moved out, we spend our vacations on the Baltic coast. You may have heard about the fact that shells, when put to your ear, hum like the sea. That's because its history is recorded inside us.
45 minutes
The Baltic Sea has been a lake twice in the past
And why do you think that is? Imagine that in place of the Baltic Sea there was once a huge glacier, which later began to melt. Picture it as a huge snowman that slowly shrinks when exposed to heat and sunlight. First, a small droplet forms, then a puddle, then several puddles, which grow bigger and bigger until they form one big lake.
The Baltic Sea has gone through many phases of development. In the ones where its basin joined the ocean, the Baltic transformed into a sea and in others it changed into a lake surrounded by land. That is why formerly our sea was called the Baltic Ice Lake, then the Yoldia Sea, later the Ancylus Lake, the Littorina Sea, and finally the Mya Sea
45 minutesToday the Baltic Sea is a huge body of water. Like a giant bathtub, except that it has an area of 415,000 square kilometers. How much do you think it is? Imagine that you divide Poland into three parts. The Baltic Sea takes up as much as the whole of Poland and another one of the three parts.
415 000 km2
total surface area
of the Baltic Sea
45 minutesIt is a very big reservoir with a maximum depth of 459 m (Landsort Depth). This is enough to fit two Palaces of Culture and Science placed one on top of the other! However, the average depth is 55 m. The Baltic Sea holds rain and snow falling from the sky. Many rivers flow into it - even those whose source is in the mountains, far from the sea. Now imagine that not only Polish rivers, but also rivers of other countries around the Baltic Sea flow into it and the sea holds them all. In total 250 rivers flow into it!
459 m
deepest point
Landsort Depth
45 minutesThe Baltic Sea connects to the North Sea. You remember how we mentioned that the Baltic Sea used to be a lake and then turned into a sea again. That's because the lake got bigger due to the movements of the earth's crust - the rise and fall of the bottom of the Baltic Sea and the changes in the water level in the ocean. The two seas join in five tight places called straits. They are called:
45 minutesThere is some magic going on in these straits... And that is because the water in the Baltic Sea, thanks to the 250 rivers that flow into it, is relatively fresh, while the water in the North Sea it is definitely more salty.
You may not know, but fresh water is lighter than salt water, so it rises above the salt water and flows toward the North Sea. The water from the North Sea is heavier, so it flows closer to the bottom towards the Baltic Sea.
This creates, in a sense, a two-lane underwater highway. Fresh water moves in one lane and salt water moves in the other, which moves in the opposite direction. In this way, the exchange of water between the two bodies of water never stops.
45 minutes
Due to the constant movement of warmer fresh water towards the North Sea and cooler salt water coming from the opposite direction, sea currents are created. These, along with the wind, cause the water in the sea to ripple.
The size of waves depends on the strength of the wind, the temperature difference between water and air and the currents themselves. However, the greatest influence on waves has the wind strength, which is defined in Beaufort wind force scale.
When we have 0 degrees on the Beaufort scale, the sea is calm and almost waveless and its surface becomes smooth. When the wind is very strong and reaches the maximum value on the scale, which is 12, there is a storm - even a hurricane! The waves become huge and have foamy manes.
45 minutesThe sea during a storm can throw various treasures ashore. Remember walking on the beach and looking for pebbles, shells and amber. There are many pebbles on the beaches, shells such as cockles and mussels. But amber is not as easy to find. Amber is called the gold of the Baltic Sea, and a kilogram of this raw material costs even 2000 dollars!
You can buy a used car for that kind of money! Why do you think the amber is so valuable? That is because it's rare and also because its origins date back 37- 42 million years. It was formed by the hardening of resin. But you will probably ask - what is the origin of resin in the Baltic Sea?
45 minutesImagine that 42 million years ago there was a forest on the shores of the Baltic Sea, which was later flooded by the salt water from said sea.
45 minutesMillions of years passed before resin from coniferous trees hardened and formed into amber, which is why it is so valuable. The most valuable specimens contain embedded insects, such as midges.
45 minutesExperienced prospectors know that the easiest way to find a beautiful amber is on the beach after a storm. Furthermore, you don't look for it during the day, but at night. How is it done? A lamp that emits ultraviolet light helps, making the amber glow yellow.Experienced prospectors know that the easiest way to find a beautiful amber is on the beach after a storm. Furthermore, you don't look for it at all during the day, but at night. How is it done? A lamp that emits ultraviolet light helps, making the amber glow yellow.
45 minutesDid you know that in the 1st century AD the amber route was created by the inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea area who traveled to get the Baltic gold? This route passed through Poland, but you should know that people went to other countries around the Baltic Sea, such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and even Russia, to get the amber. These are countries that, just like Poland, have access to our sea.
45 minutesWe share the Baltic Sea with eight other countries: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. See on the map what the most interesting attractions for children can be found in each of them.
Germany – Karl’s Adenture Village Koserow – an amusement park, where all the attractions are related to... strawberries
Poland – Sea Park Sarbsk – an educational-recreational park with a sealarium
Denmark – Legoland - this one needs no introduction
Sweden – konik dalama – at the open-air museum on the island of Djurgarden
Finland – santa Clause Village - as it states, a Santa Claus Village
Estonia – Lotte Village - the largest amusement park in Estonia
Lithuania – a toy museum
Latvia – Ventspils Water Park - a water park
Russia – Park Yunost’ Kaliningrad – an amusement park
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesWhen you take a trip to the Baltic Sea, you can sail to the Baltic islands. Here are some of them: On the Danish island of Bornholm, you'll eat dried herring, go on a cycling tour and visit a fabulous butterfly park. On the Polish island of Wolin you can step back in time and see how the first Slavs lived in the Slavic and Viking Centre. German Rügen will amaze you with its white cliffs. On Swedish Gotland you will experience an unusual adventure and visit Pippi Långstrump's house, called Villa Villakulla. The Åland Islands are the Finnish islands. There you will find plenty of small uninhabited islets that are highly valued by fishermen.
Now you know a bit about the Baltic Sea. Maybe you want to get to know its inhabitants too? Relax for a moment and then take a look at the second lesson.
45 minutesMy name is Lagoon Cockle. You can find me at the seashore. I've been dropping in there on vacation for 14,000 years now with a fellow Baltic Clam and Blue Mussel. We are seashells. We used to be clam houses, just as snail shells act as their homes.
Since our residents have moved out, we spend our vacations on the Baltic coast. You may have heard about the fact that shells, when put to your ear, hum like the sea. That's because its history is recorded inside us.
45 minutes
The Baltic Sea has been a lake twice in the past
And why do you think that is? Imagine that in place of the Baltic Sea there was once a huge glacier, which later began to melt. Picture it as a huge snowman that slowly shrinks when exposed to heat and sunlight. First, a small droplet forms, then a puddle, then several puddles, which grow bigger and bigger until they form one big lake.
The Baltic Sea has gone through many phases of development. In the ones where its basin joined the ocean, the Baltic transformed into a sea and in others it changed into a lake surrounded by land. That is why formerly our sea was called the Baltic Ice Lake, then the Yoldia Sea, later the Ancylus Lake, the Littorina Sea, and finally the Mya Sea
45 minutesToday the Baltic Sea is a huge body of water. Like a giant bathtub, except that it has an area of 415,000 square kilometers. How much do you think it is? Imagine that you divide Poland into three parts. The Baltic Sea takes up as much as the whole of Poland and another one of the three parts.
415 000 km2
total surface area
of the Baltic Sea
45 minutesIt is a very big reservoir with a maximum depth of 459 m (Landsort Depth). This is enough to fit two Palaces of Culture and Science placed one on top of the other! However, the average depth is 55 m. The Baltic Sea holds rain and snow falling from the sky. Many rivers flow into it - even those whose source is in the mountains, far from the sea. Now imagine that not only Polish rivers, but also rivers of other countries around the Baltic Sea flow into it and the sea holds them all. In total 250 rivers flow into it!
459 m
deepest point
Landsort Depth
45 minutesThe Baltic Sea connects to the North Sea. You remember how we mentioned that the Baltic Sea used to be a lake and then turned into a sea again. That's because the lake got bigger due to the movements of the earth's crust - the rise and fall of the bottom of the Baltic Sea and the changes in the water level in the ocean. The two seas join in five tight places called straits. They are called:
45 minutesThere is some magic going on in these straits... And that is because the water in the Baltic Sea, thanks to the 250 rivers that flow into it, is relatively fresh, while the water in the North Sea it is definitely more salty.
You may not know, but fresh water is lighter than salt water, so it rises above the salt water and flows toward the North Sea. The water from the North Sea is heavier, so it flows closer to the bottom towards the Baltic Sea.
This creates, in a sense, a two-lane underwater highway. Fresh water moves in one lane and salt water moves in the other, which moves in the opposite direction. In this way, the exchange of water between the two bodies of water never stops.
45 minutes
Due to the constant movement of warmer fresh water towards the North Sea and cooler salt water coming from the opposite direction, sea currents are created. These, along with the wind, cause the water in the sea to ripple.
The size of waves depends on the strength of the wind, the temperature difference between water and air and the currents themselves. However, the greatest influence on waves has the wind strength, which is defined in Beaufort wind force scale.
When we have 0 degrees on the Beaufort scale, the sea is calm and almost waveless and its surface becomes smooth. When the wind is very strong and reaches the maximum value on the scale, which is 12, there is a storm - even a hurricane! The waves become huge and have foamy manes.
45 minutesThe sea during a storm can throw various treasures ashore. Remember walking on the beach and looking for pebbles, shells and amber. There are many pebbles on the beaches, shells such as cockles and mussels. But amber is not as easy to find. Amber is called the gold of the Baltic Sea, and a kilogram of this raw material costs even 2000 dollars!
You can buy a used car for that kind of money! Why do you think the amber is so valuable? That is because it's rare and also because its origins date back 37- 42 million years. It was formed by the hardening of resin. But you will probably ask - what is the origin of resin in the Baltic Sea?
45 minutesImagine that 42 million years ago there was a forest on the shores of the Baltic Sea, which was later flooded by the salt water from said sea.
45 minutesMillions of years passed before resin from coniferous trees hardened and formed into amber, which is why it is so valuable. The most valuable specimens contain embedded insects, such as midges.
45 minutesExperienced prospectors know that the easiest way to find a beautiful amber is on the beach after a storm. Furthermore, you don't look for it during the day, but at night. How is it done? A lamp that emits ultraviolet light helps, making the amber glow yellow.Experienced prospectors know that the easiest way to find a beautiful amber is on the beach after a storm. Furthermore, you don't look for it at all during the day, but at night. How is it done? A lamp that emits ultraviolet light helps, making the amber glow yellow.
45 minutesDid you know that in the 1st century AD the amber route was created by the inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea area who traveled to get the Baltic gold? This route passed through Poland, but you should know that people went to other countries around the Baltic Sea, such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and even Russia, to get the amber. These are countries that, just like Poland, have access to our sea.
45 minutesWe share the Baltic Sea with eight other countries: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. See on the map what the most interesting attractions for children can be found in each of them.
Germany – Karl’s Adenture Village Koserow – an amusement park, where all the attractions are related to... strawberries
Poland – Sea Park Sarbsk – an educational-recreational park with a sealarium
Denmark – Legoland - this one needs no introduction
Sweden – konik dalama – at the open-air museum on the island of Djurgarden
Finland – santa Clause Village - as it states, a Santa Claus Village
Estonia – Lotte Village - the largest amusement park in Estonia
Lithuania – a toy museum
Latvia – Ventspils Water Park - a water park
Russia – Park Yunost’ Kaliningrad – an amusement park
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesThe Baltic coastline is very varied and diverse, which is why it looks slightly different in each of the Baltic Sea countries. Steep and rocky coasts can be found in Sweden or Finland, and high cliffs can be found at our German neighbours. long and narrow coastlines cutting into bays are common in Denmark and Norway.
In Poland, however, we have picturesque cliffs and the most popular one is located in Trzęsacz. It houses the ruins of a Gothic church, of which only one wall remains. The rest of the building was washed away by the waves and fell into the sea. The cause of this is coast receding inland. Along the coast, you will find different types of beaches.
Wide and sandy beaches are the most common. They are very popular and perfect for rest and relaxation.
45 minutesWhen you take a trip to the Baltic Sea, you can sail to the Baltic islands. Here are some of them: On the Danish island of Bornholm, you'll eat dried herring, go on a cycling tour and visit a fabulous butterfly park. On the Polish island of Wolin you can step back in time and see how the first Slavs lived in the Slavic and Viking Centre. German Rügen will amaze you with its white cliffs. On Swedish Gotland you will experience an unusual adventure and visit Pippi Långstrump's house, called Villa Villakulla. The Åland Islands are the Finnish islands. There you will find plenty of small uninhabited islets that are highly valued by fishermen.
Now you know a bit about the Baltic Sea. Maybe you want to get to know its inhabitants too? Relax for a moment and then take a look at the second lesson.
We use cookies to improve the operation of the website. We assume that you do not mind. If you do mind, please leave our site.
English
Polski
Deutsch
Enlarge
