The White Sea

The White Sea is one of the smallest seas in Russia. It is a southern extension (inlet) of the Barents Sea and located on the northwest coast of Russia. It is surrounded by the Kola Peninsula to the north, Karelia to the west and the Kanin Peninsula to the northeast. Having established the first settlement along the sea as far back as the 1300s, the White Sea is considered to be part of the internal waters of Russia. The sea is also home to one of Russia’s Naval and Submarine base.

White Sea Facts for Kids

• The surface area of the White Sea is 90,000km2 making it larger than Ireland and Turkey together.
• Major rivers that flow into the White Sea include Kuloy River, Ponoy River, Varzuga River, Umba River, Niva River, Vyg River, and Mezen River.
• There are around 60 species of fish in the White Sea. Some of the well-known specie are herring, saffron cod, Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon and European Smelt.
• The White Sea is home to more than 700 invertebrate species, 5 species of marine mammals including friendly beluga and the white whale.
• The White Sea is often visited by orca whales, humpback whales, bowhead whales, northern bottlenose whales, harbor porpoises and several species of dolphin.
• There is a small fishing industry targeting harp seal, ringed seal, herring, and lysun in the White Sea.
• The White Sea is an important route connecting the economically active portions of northwestern Russia with Russia’s Far Eastern ports and with foreign countries.
• The White Sea has an average depth of 60 m and a maximum depth of 1,115 feet. The sea is relatively shallow.
• The principal ports along the White Sea are Arkhangelsk, Belomorsk, Onega, Mezen, Kem, Kandalaksha, and Umba. With the help of icebreakers in winter, navigation continues year-round.
• The White Sea is home to a thriving seaweed industry. Seaweed are used for the production of cosmetics and fertilisers.
• The White Sea-Baltic Canal connects the White Sea with the Baltic Sea and it was finished in the 1930s. The canal is used for local transportation and tours.
• The White Sea together with the Black Sea, the Red Sea and the Yellow Sea are the four seas named in English after common colours.
• Islands on the White Sea are the Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, Bolshaya Muksalma Island, Maly Zayatsky Island, Kiy Island, Anzersky Island, Malaya Muksalma Island, Velikiy Island and Bolshoy Island.

Question: Identify the principal ports along the White Sea

Answer: The principal ports along the White Sea are Arkhangelsk, Belomorsk, Onega, Mezen, Kem, Kandalaksha, and Umba.

Question: What is the surface area of the White Sea?

Answer: The surface area of the White Sea is 90,000km2

Question: How many species of fish can be found? Identify some of them.

Answer: There are around 60 species of fish in the White Sea. Some of the well-known specie found in the sea are herring, saffron cod, Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon and European Smelt.

Question: What is the average and maximum depth of the White Sea?

Answer: The White Sea has an average depth of 60 m and a maximum depth of 1,115 feet.

Question: Apart from the fishing industry what other industry thrives in the White Sea?

Answer: The seaweed industry as well as the fishing industry are the two main industries thriving at the White Sea.

Question: What are the major rivers that flows into the White Sea?

Answer: The major rivers that flow into the White Sea are the Kuloy River, Ponoy River, Varzuga River, Umba River, Niva River, Vyg River, and Mezen River.

Question: Identify the Islands found within the White Sea.

Answer: The Islands on the White Sea are the Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, Bolshaya Muksalma Island, Maly Zayatsky Island, Kiy Island, Anzersky Island, Malaya Muksalma Island, Velikiy Island and Bolshoy Island.