POLISH COAST

Dimensions The Baltic sea is about 1600 km (1000 mi) long, an average of 193 km (120 mi) wide, and an average of 55 m (180 ft, 30 fathoms) deep. The maximum depth is 459 m (1506 ft), on the Swedish side of the center. The surface area is about 377,000 km² (145,522 sq mi) and the volume is about 20,000 km³ (5040 cubic miles). The periphery amounts to about 8000 km (4968 mi) of coastline. fathomssq micubic miles

Salinity The Baltic Sea's salinity is much lower than that of ocean water (which averages 3.5%, or 35), as a result of abundant freshwater runoff from the surrounding landsalinity

Piers Sopot Międzyzdroje Kołobrzeg Resort towns Świnoujście Kamień Pomorski Kołobrzeg Sopot Ustka Interesting towns and cities Darłowo Elbląg Frombork Gdańsk Gdynia Kamień Pomorski Kołobrzeg Łeba Malbork Międzyzdroje Nowe Warpno Słupsk Sopot Szczecin Świnoujście Trzebiatów Ustka Wolin

Region of Pobrzeza Poludniowobaltyckie (Southern Baltic Coasts) constitute a several kilometres wide strip of land, running along the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. It stretches from Kiel Bay up to Vistula Bay. A few types of seaside landscapes may be found in the region - dunes, deltas, lakes and bogs, as well as hills (seaside cliffs). Moreover, the region covers the area of pre-valleys, lying 100 below sea level. Nearness of the sea influences the climate of the region, which is characterized by mild winters and moderately hot summers. Yearly rainfall in the region amounts to 600 mm. Vegetation of the region is characterized by alpine plants.

Southern Baltic Coasts are very attractive both for tourists and for naturalists. Within the regions borders there are two national Parks (Slowinski National Parks, and Wolin National Park), five landscape parks and a few dozens nature reserves. Southern Baltic Coasts cover the area of 19,000 km2 and are divided into three macroregions: Szczecin Coast, Koszalin Coast and Gdansk Coast.

The macroregion of Szczecin Coast covers the area around Szczecin Bay, mouth of Odra River and the edges of Pomerania Bay. With the borders of Poland the macroregion covers the area of 8,000 km2. It is very varied and it is divided into eleven mezoregions: Uznam and Wolin island, Wybrzeze Trzebiatowskie, Rownina Wkrzanska, Dolina Dolnej Odry, Rownina Goleniowska, Wzgorza Szczecinskie, Wzgorza Bukowe, Rownina Weltynska, Rownina Pyrzycko-Stargardzka, Rownina Nowogardzka and Rownina Gryficka.

Koszalin Coast borders with Trzebiatowskie Coast and Gryfice Lowland in the west, and Kepa Swarzewska and Kepa Pucka in the east. It covers the territory of 5,500 km2 and is divided into six mezoregions: Wybrzeze Slowinskie, Rownina Bialogardzka, Rownina Slawienska, Wysoczyzna Damniecka, Wysoczyzna Zarnowiecka oraz pre- valley of Leby and Reda Rivers. Gdansk Coast, in the shape of a curve by Gdansk Bay. It covers the area of 4,500 km2 and is divided into seven mezoregions: Pobrzeze Kaszubskie, Mierzeja Helska, Mierzeja Wislana, Zuławy Wislane, Wysoczyzna Elblaska, Rownina Warminska and Wybrzeze Staropruskie.

Pobrzeza Wschodniobaltyckie (Eastern Baltic Coast).This region stretches from the Gulf of Gdańsk to the Finnish Bay. It takes up the area of 2.7 thousand sq km within Polish borders, which constitutes 0,8% of Polands territory. Eastern Baltic Coast stays under the influence of the sea and the climate differs from the continental climate of neighbouring Eastern Baltic Lakeland District. The landscape of this area is very diversified. This region is located within the East-European and subboreal climatic zone.

The Polish part of the region can be divided into 3 mezoregions: Wzniesienie Gorowskie (Gorowskie Elevation), Rownina Ornecka (Ornecka Plain) and Rownina Sepopolska (Sepopolska Plain). Wzniesienie Gorowskie is an isolated moraine plateau exceeding 100 m asl in height which covers the area of 1280 sq km. This region is divided by the border between two geobotanic divisions: Baltic and northern. The are is located far from the main routes and is sparsely populated. Rownina Ornecka is located on the area of 225 sq km and stretches along Drweca Warminska river, south from Wzniesienia Gorowskie and north from Olsztyn Lakeland District. The area is covered mostly by pine forests with a narrow belt of alluvial forests. The biggest town in the area is Orneta (population: 8.5 thousands).

Rownina Sepopolska within Polish borders covers the area of 1160 sq km. This plain is a wide trough, rising on its rim to m asl and lowering in the central point to meters. The plain is also cut through by two river valleys of Lyna and Guber. A shallow lake – Oswin (6.4 sq km, 3.5 meters deep) is located in the north-eastern part of the region. This lake with its surroundings is protected as a nature reserve "Jezioro Siedmiu Wysp" (The Lake of Seven Islands) and is a breeding site for over 110 species of birds.

Tourists like sandy beaches There are many sandy beaches in Poland

Dunes near Łeba Gdansk Bay Kołobrzeg Lighthouse Neptun fountain in Gdańsk Marina in Gdynia Interesting places