LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Black Sea: Eastern Europe
built 643 days ago
It was the fish that attracted the Hellenes to the Black Sea shores, and fishery became the main industry of the early colonies: salted and smoked Black Sea fish was shipped to Greece. Later the colonists developed agriculture on fertile soils around settlements - and for a long time Black Sea colonies (later states independent from metropolises) were the main suppliers of wheat and wine for Ancient Greek states. Especially successful and important was the Bosporan Kingdom prospering on both sides of the Kerch strait. Modern vineyards of Taman peninsula are now growing where there used to be Bosporan vineyards over 2000 years ago. Following the Greeks, the Byzantine Empire dominated Black Sea cities and states. After the devastating forays of Eastern nomad hordes during the Great Resettlement of Nations, the Genoese and Venetians had built fortresses on the same shores.
Source:
Since ancient times the Black Sea area has been the cradle of different civilizations, the renowned crossroads between Asia and Europe where people of different nationalities, trades, cultures and religions intermingled. In no way was that process an easy one; periods of peace and tranquillity were followed by protracted conflicts and wars.
Source:
The Black Sea forms an enclosed basin, located between south-eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The basin was formed during the Miocene orogenies which uplifted the mountain ranges and divided the ancient Tethys Ocean into several brackish basins, including the Sarmatic Sea. The Caspian, Azov, Aral and Black Seas are the remnants of this evaporated basin.
Source:
Location: The black sea is located in Eastern Europe. It is not directly connected to the Atlantic Ocean, but is connected to it through the Bosphorus Channel. It is a land locked sea being surrounded by Russia, Ukraine, Maldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Eastern Europe