The Gulf of Finland is located in the east of the B altic Sea. Its area is 29.5 thousand square kilometers. It is the largest bay after the Gulf of Bothnia, whose area is 117.0 thousand square kilometers. From the north, south and east, the Gulf of Finland is bounded by continental land; it washes Finland, Estonia and Russia, respectively. The imaginary line between Cape Pyyzaspea and the Hanko Peninsula is the western boundary of the bay.
Its eastern shores are called the Neva Bay. The Neva flows into its top with several branches. 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 flow into the bay.
Characteristic
The average width of the bay is 80 km. In some places it expands up to 130 km (Narva river area). The length is about 400 km. The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg is shallow, so the water warms upfast enough. The average depth of the local waters (near the Neva Bay) is only 6 m, while the average depth of the bay is 38 m, and the maximum depth is 121 m.
The waters of the Gulf of Finland abound with small islands and skerries - small rocky archipelagos located near the coast. Also in the bay are artificial islands that previously served to protect coastal cities from attacks from the sea.
The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg is almost bland. The salinity of the local waters is reduced due to the flow of more than 20 rivers into the bay, the most significant of which are the Neva, Keila and Porvonjoki.
The shores of the bay, especially in the north, have an extremely rugged terrain, vaguely reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords. The southern border is flooded and has a slightly less rugged topography than the northern part of the bay.
Temperature conditions
The average water temperature of the bay is 0 °C in winter and about 15 °C in summer. The climate is moderate. Summers are wet and short, winters are long, cold and wet. This is the weather that awaits tourists who want to visit St. Petersburg. The Gulf of Finland is covered with ice at the end of November, opens 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 an amazing natural phenomenon - white nights. At this time, astronomically (“by the clock”) night falls, but the illumination remains at the level of early twilight. Many seek to visit St. Petersburg to watch this unique picture. White nights last about fifty days.
Geographic feature
The Gulf of Finland washes 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 in 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 in the area of the Neva Bay it is extremely shallow. For ships, a sea channel (fairway) has been specially laid here, almost 30 km long, running from the mouth of the Neva River to Kotlin Island.
Plant 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 common here. Due to the swampiness of the shores, the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg is surrounded by wetland flora, which is represented mainly by lake reeds and common reeds. There are also many aquatic plants growing here, such as water lily, water lily, sedge, and seaside valerian.
Animal world
The representation of the fauna of these parts 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 field mice, squirrels and beavers to wolves, wild boars and bears. The Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg favors the development of fisheries. The most important fishing spots are located on the northern coast. Live in the baymarine and freshwater fish, including cod, sprat, pike, salmon, eel, whitefish, perch, pike perch, bream and some others.
Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg: rest
Due to the 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 avid fisherman: the fish resource here is large and quite diverse. In summer, lovers of sunbathing and sea procedures, this water area provides its coast for use. In the warm season, the water of the bay warms up well, but due to the unsatisfactory environmental situation, swimming is prohibited here, but you can ride a boat or boat. There is something to satisfy cultural requests, because many people want to visit St. Petersburg, and those who have already visited these places come back here again and again.
