The Dardanelles and Bosporus Passages

The dividing line between Europe and Asia, the link up between the Mediterranean and the Back Sea, the Bosporus is an ancient valley along a fractured tectonic line. From the Mediterranean Ocean, it runs through the Dardanelles passage to reach the Sea of Marmara, a small interior sea. Then, the narrow Bosporus passage (1 km at its narrowest point) going through Istanbul and the Black Sea are attained.

Copyright © 1998-2008, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Economics & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.