When people think of seas, they most often think of a vast body of water. However, several seas are not much bigger than large lakes. These small seas are spread across the Earth, each with unique features.
Sea of Marmara
It is somewhat disputed which sea is actually the smallest on Earth. However, many people agree that the smallest sea is probably the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. This sea is about 7,053 square feet large. It is an inland sea that connects the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea. This sea forms many different gulfs along its edges and also boasts two large island chains.
Sea of Cortez
The second most miniature sea on Earth is the Sea of Cortez, more commonly called the Gulf of California. This sea is about 62,000 square miles and lies between Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. The Gulf of California is known for its abundant and varied marine life and is a favorite area of nature lovers.
Persian Gulf
Another small sea is the Persian Gulf, a small extension of the Indian Ocean. This sea lies between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran and is about 97,000 square miles large. It once boasted a rich abundance of marine life. Unfortunately, many oil spills have damaged the area’s natural ecosystem over the years.
Baltic Sea
The fourth smallest sea on Earth is the Baltic Sea, which is about 146,000 square feet. It lies along the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe and is bordered by Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Finland. Several different bordering gulfs are occasionally considered to be part of this sea, so the Baltic Sea is sometimes considered to be slightly larger.
Yellow Sea
The Yellow Sea, which lies between China, Korea, and Japan, is the Earth’s fifth smallest sea. This body of water is about 150,000 square miles in size. It is called the Yellow Sea because it can actually display a yellow or gold color. This color comes from sand particles that drift into the sea from the Gobi Desert.
