The Black Sea, one of the world’s largest inland bodies of water, serves as a critical crossroads for commerce, culture, and geopolitics. Located in southeastern Europe, it is bordered by six countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey.
With a diverse range of landscapes and resources, the countries surrounding the Black Sea each have their own histories, economies, and social structures. The sea links these countries as a vital waterway for international trade and energy transportation, connecting Eastern Europe to the Mediterranean through the Bosporus Strait.
Throughout this post, we’ll look at a map outlining each of the Black Sea countries and will then take a closer look at what makes each one unique.
Black Sea Countries
Bulgaria
© Valentin Valkov/ShutterstockBulgaria is a Balkan country located on the western coast of the Black Sea. It’s known for its coastal cities, ski resorts, ancient history, and unique culture. An important element of the country’s economic, cultural, and political identity is its proximity to the Black Sea.
The country’s primary maritime gateways are its ports of Varna and Burgas, located in the far eastern part of the country. These ports play central roles in facilitating international trade for Bulgaria and handle a substantial volume of cargo that includes oil, grains, and manufactured goods.
The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected the trade in these ports, as Bulgaria joins many other countries in restricting trade access to Russia-affiliated vessels.
Another part of Bulgaria’s economy is its tourism sector, in which its coastal cities on the Black Sea play an integral role. Millions of tourists visit these cities and their resorts each year to enjoy places like Sunny Beach. The ancient city of Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another popular attraction situated near the sea.
The geopolitical tensions in the Black Sea also have implications for Bulgaria’s national security. The country is a member of NATO, and its maritime borders are often under surveillance to monitor naval activities in the region.
Given Russia’s presence on the Black Sea, Bulgaria finds itself delicately positioned between Western alliances and historical Eastern influences.
Georgia
© Mike Laptev/ShutterstockGeorgia is located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, opposite Bulgaria. Although Georgia’s access to the Black Sea is fairly limited compared to its neighbors, the country’s location is both geographically and geopolitically significant.
Known for khachapuri, wine, and ancient cities, the regions of Georgia are diverse, and each has its own identity. The country’s regions along the Black Sea are important for the local economy as well as for other countries in the region.
The ports of Poti and Batumi in Georgia facilitate the export of oil, agricultural products, and minerals, which helps to support the country’s economy. Although Georgia is not a significant producer of oil or gas, it is part of important energy transit routes, such as oil pipelines running from Azerbaijan to Turkey, which pass close to the Black Sea.
Georgia’s ports also serve as crucial transit points for landlocked countries in the Caucasus Region such as Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Black Sea also has a meaningful impact on Georgia’s tourism sector. Coastal towns like Batumi attract a large number of tourists, contributing to the country’s growing tourism industry. The subtropical climate and scenic landscapes are part of what makes this coastal region so appealing.
It’s also worth noting that the Black Sea’s geopolitical landscape also poses challenges for Georgia. The country has strained relations with Russia, another Black Sea nation, primarily due to territorial disputes involving regions like Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This makes the Black Sea a potential frontier for geopolitical tensions, affecting Georgia’s national security and foreign policy.
Romania
© Ukko/ShutterstockRomania is a major player in the geopolitical landscape of the Black Sea region, and the sea plays an integral role in Romania’s economic, cultural, and political identity. Bordering Bulgaria to the south and Ukraine to the north, Romania is located in the Balkans on the western coast of the Black Sea.
The major ports of Romania are among the largest and busiest in the Black Sea, serving as key points for international trade in the region. Romania’s Port of Constanta is particularly important due to its deep-water facilities, which can accommodate large vessels.
The port is connected to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, through the Danube-Black Sea Canal. Bucharest is one of several European capital cities along the Danube. The Port of Constanta serves as a gateway for oil and gas moving to and from Central and Eastern Europe.
The Black Sea is also essential to Romania’s tourism industry, attracting both domestic and international visitors to beach resorts like Mamaia and Vama Veche. Several guided tours are on offer that link the coastal cities with the nation’s capital.
Romania also holds a strategic position in the Black Sea region’s energy dynamics. The country has been exploring offshore oil and gas reserves, aiming to become more energy-independent and potentially serve as a supplier for neighboring countries.
Russia
© saiko3p/ShutterstockRussia’s involvement in the Black Sea region is both extensive and complex, spanning economic, geopolitical, and military dimensions.
Its considerable coastline stretches from the Kerch Strait to Abkhazia, although its territory along the Black Sea has been changeable since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and attempts to annex parts of the country.
The port of Novorossiysk is Russia’s primary Black Sea port and one of the largest ports in Europe. It serves as a vital outlet for Russian exports and hosts a naval base, making it a strategic target in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The Black Sea is also strategically important for Russia’s energy sector. Russia exports a substantial amount of its oil and natural gas via Black Sea routes, and the sea is also the location for several underwater pipelines.
Tourism is another important economic activity for Russia in the Black Sea region, though tourist arrival numbers have dropped dramatically since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine. Cities like Sochi, famous for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, were once renowned tourist destinations that benefited from the proximity of the sea.
Russia has made significant investments in its Black Sea Fleet and other military capabilities due to the presence of three NATO countries bordering the sea: Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.
Turkey
© Kayihan Bolukbasi/ShutterstockTurkey’s location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is unique. Its territory spans two continents, and its Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. This places Turkey at the heart of regional and trans-regional geopolitics and commerce.
The Bosphorus Strait is one of the busiest maritime chokepoints in the world, through which enormous volumes of oil and gas are transported. Control over this passage grants Turkey a great deal of leverage in economic and political realms.
Major Turkish ports along the Black Sea, like Samsun and Trabzon, serve as important centers for trade and transportation. Turkey’s Black Sea coast is also fertile and agriculturally productive, contributing to both the national and regional food supply. The sea itself also provides fishing, a traditional livelihood that is both economically and culturally significant.
Another essential part of the economy in Turkey’s Black Sea region is tourism. The area offers a mix of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural attractions, drawing both domestic and international tourists.
Turkey’s military presence in the Black Sea region is also noteworthy. As a NATO member, Turkey plays a crucial role in the alliance’s Black Sea strategies. The country’s military facilities and naval capabilities are robust, and it is one of the countries with nuclear weapons.
Ukraine
© Hrecheniuk Oleksii/ShutterstockUkraine occupies an important stretch of the Black Sea’s northern coast, with major economic and geopolitical implications for the region. Along with the rest of the country’s territory, Ukraine’s coastline has been heavily affected by the Russia-Ukraine War.
The country’s major ports, such as Odessa and Mykolaiv, are critical nodes for international trade, serving as transit and handling centers for a variety of goods including agricultural products, metals, and energy resources. The port of Odessa is one of the largest on the Black Sea and has been targeted in the Russia-Ukraine War.
The Black Sea’s resources are vital for Ukraine’s domestic needs as well. The sea provides fishing opportunities, which contribute to the country’s food supply, and the untapped oil and gas reserves in its Black Sea shelf could potentially make it an important player in the region’s energy landscape.
Tourism along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast is another key economic activity, although it has faced challenges in recent years due to the Russian invasion. Cities like Odessa are popular tourist destinations known for their beaches, cultural landmarks, and historical significance.
Regional stability is of utmost importance to Ukraine, given its strategic ports and untapped energy reserves. The country’s relationships with its Black Sea neighbors shape its national security, energy policies, and international alliances.
Characteristics of the Black Sea
A marginal mediterranean sea of the Atlantic Ocean, the Black Sea separates part of Eastern Europe from Western Asia. Primarily fed from three major rivers — the Dnieper, Danube, and Don — it is connected to the Mediterranean through the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey.
The Black Sea covers a total area of 436,400 km2 (168,500 sq mi), not including the Azov Sea, which is connected to the Black Sea through the Strait of Kerch.