Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg: description, climate, photo

The Gulf of Finland is located in the east of the Baltic Sea. Its area is 29.5 thousand sq. Km. It is the largest bay after the Botnic, whose area is 117.0 thousand sq. Km. From the north, south and east, the Gulf of Finland is bounded by continental land, it is washing Finland, Estonia and Russia accordingly. The imaginary line between Cape Põisaspea and the peninsula of Hanko is the western border of the bay.

Its eastern banks are called the Neva Bay. At the top of it runs several Neva arms. The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg (see photo in the article) is one of the main water areas of the city. The northern capital is located in its easternmost part. Most of the main rivers that flow through the territory of the Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg itself fall into the Gulf.

Characteristic

The average width of the bay is 80 km. In some places it extends to 130 km (the Narva River region). The length is about 400 km. The Gulf of Finland is shallow in Finland, so the water warms up rather quickly. The average depth of the local waters (in the Neva Bay area) is only 6 m, while the average depth of the bay is 38 m and the maximum depth is 121 m.

The water area of the Gulf of Finland is replete with small islets and skerries - small rocky archipelagoes located near the shore. Also in the Gulf are artificial islands, which previously served to protect coastal cities from attacks from the sea.

The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg is almost fresh. The salinity of these waters is reduced due to the confluence of more than 20 rivers into the Gulf, the most significant of which are the Neva, Keila and Porvonjoki.

The shores of the bay, especially in the north, have an extremely rugged relief remotely resembling the Norwegian fjords. The southern boundary is flooded and has a slightly less rugged terrain than the northern part of the bay.

Temperature conditions

The average temperature of the water of the bay in winter is 0 ° C, and in summer about 15 ° C. The climate is temperate. Summer here is humid and short, winter is long, cold and damp. This kind of weather is waiting for tourists who want to visit St. Petersburg. The Gulf of Finland is covered with ice at the end of November, it is opened in the second decade of April. However, in warm winters this water area may not freeze at all. In May-June in these places you can observe the amazing phenomenon of nature - the white nights. At this time, astronomically ("by the hour") comes night, but remains illuminated at the level of early twilight. Many are eager to visit Peter to watch this unique picture. The white nights last about fifty days.

Geographical feature

The Gulf of Finland is washed by the shores of three countries: the Russian Federation in the east, Finland in the north and Estonia in the south. On the shore are the capitals of two countries - Estonia (Tallinn) and Finland (Helsinki), as well as the second largest city of the Russian Federation - St. Petersburg. It is the cultural center of Russia.

Shipping

The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg (photo below) is navigable, but extremely shallow in the Nevskaya Guba area. For vessels, a sea channel (fairway) with a length of almost 30 km, running from the mouth of the Neva River to the island of Kotlin , is specially laid here .

Vegetable world

The coast of the Gulf of Finland and the surrounding area is considered to be part of the southern taiga. Pine, spruce and deciduous forests are widespread here. Due to swampiness of the shores, the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg is surrounded by a wetland flora, which is represented mainly by reed and reed cane. There are also a lot of aquatic plants, such as a water lily, a lobster, an acute sedge and a valerian seaside.

Animal world

Representation of the fauna of these regions is also impressive. Among the birds you can meet several species of ducks and partridges, geese, hazel grouses, woodpeckers and thrushes, cuckoos and tits. There are small and large mammals: from the field mouse, squirrels and beaver to wolf, wild boar and bear. The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg favors the development of fishing. The most important places of fishing are located on the north coast. Marine and freshwater fish live in the bay, among which there are cod, sprat, pike, salmon, eel, whitefish, perch, pike perch, bream and some others.

Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg: recreation

Due to its diverse, colorful nature and rich history, the area of the Gulf of Finland is very attractive in terms of tourism. In spring, the bay could more than satisfy the needs of the most inveterate fisherman: the fish resource here is large and quite diverse. In summer, lovers of sunburn and sea procedures, this water area provides for use of its coast. In the warm season, the water of the bay warms up well, but due to the unsatisfactory ecological situation, swimming here is bloated, but you can ride a boat or a boat. There is something to satisfy and cultural requests, because many people want to visit St. Petersburg, and those who have already visited these places often come back here again.