Dardanelles

Dardanelles
/dahr'dn elz"/, n. (used with a pl. v.)
the strait between European and Asian Turkey, connecting the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. 40 mi. (64 km) long; 1-5 mi. (1.6-8 km) wide. Ancient, Hellespont.

* * *

Narrow strait between the peninsula of Gallipoli in Europe and the mainland of Turkey in Asia.

Some 38 mi (61 km) long and 0.75–4 mi (1–6 km) wide, it links the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Strategically important from antiquity, the Dardanelles was defended by Troy from its position on the Asian side. In 480 BC the Persian Xerxes I crossed the strait to invade Greece; Alexander the Great also crossed it in 334 BC on his expedition against Persia. Held by the Roman Republic and Empire and the Byzantine Empire and later by the Ottoman Empire, it is of great strategic and economic importance as the gateway from the Black Sea to Istanbul and the Mediterranean Sea.

* * *

formerly  Hellespont,  Turkish  Çanakkale Boğazi,  

      narrow strait in northwestern Turkey, 38 mi (61 km) long, linking the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. It is 3/4 to 4 mi wide and lies between the peninsula of Gallipoli in Europe (northwest) and the mainland of Asia Minor (southeast). The strait's average depth is 180 ft (55 m), reaching a maximum of 300 ft in the narrowest central section. There is a rapid surface current from the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean and a compensatory undercurrent returning more saline water. Important ports along the shores are Gallipoli (Gelibolu Limani), Eceabat, and Çanakkale; and many famous castles stand along its banks. The waters are rich in various kinds of fish that migrate between the Black and Aegean seas.

      The strait holds a significant place in history. The Hellespont is the scene of the Greek legend of the two lovers Hero and Leander. The ancient city of Troy defended the Dardanelles from its strategic position at the southwest end (Asian side). In 480 BC the Persian army of Xerxes I crossed the strait by a bridge of boats; and Alexander the Great did the same in 334 BC on his expedition against Persia. The strait has always been of great strategic and economic importance as the gateway to Istanbul and the Black Sea from the Mediterranean. The strait was forced by a British fleet under Adm. Sir John T. Duckworth in 1807, but during World War I the Allies failed to capture it, although a British submarine penetrated the minefields and sank a Turkish battleship off the Golden Horn, an inlet on the Bosporus strait. The Dardanelles' location has given it international political importance (see Straits Question).

      The city of Dardanus in the Troad (territory around ancient Troy), where Mithradates VI (king of Pontus) and Sulla (the Roman general) signed a treaty in 85 BC, gave the strait its name.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dardanelles — Détroit des Dardanelles Les Dardanelles forment une région du nord ouest de la Turquie, située de part et d autre du détroit des Dardanelles (anciennement nommé Hellespont). Par extension, le mot désigne parfois le détroit lui même. Le nom… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Dardanelles (EP) — Dardanelles EP by Dardanelles Released November 4, 2006 (2006 11 04) Recorded 2006 …   Wikipedia

  • Dardanelles — n. 1. the strait between the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara that separates European from Asian Turkey. Syn: Hellespont. [WordNet 1.5] 2. the unsuccessful campaign in World War I (1915) by the English and French to open a passage for aid to Russia; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Dardanelles — (détroit des) (antiq. Hellespont, en turc çanakkale Bogazi) détroit entre la Turquie d Europe et la Turquie d Asie, reliant la mer égée à la mer de Marmara; long de 68 km; large de 1,3 à 7 km. En 1915, une expédition franco brit. y rencontra une… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Dardanelles — [där΄də nelz′] strait joining the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea, between European & Asiatic Turkey: c. 40 mi (64 km) long; 1 4 mi (1.6 6.4 km) wide …   English World dictionary

  • Dardanelles — Coordinates: 40°12′N 26°24′E / 40.2°N 26.4°E / 40.2; 26.4 …   Wikipedia

  • Dardanelles —    A waterway connecting the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara and separating Europe from the Asian mainland. In the eighteenth century, Russia emerged as the major antagonist of the Ottoman Empire, in part because of the desire to dominate the… …   Encyclopedia of the Age of Imperialism, 1800–1914

  • Dardanelles — /dadəˈnɛlz/ (say dahduh nelz) plural noun the strait between European and Asiatic Turkey, connecting the Aegean with the Sea of Marmara; campaign by the Allies in World War I to take control of this from Turkey was costly and unsuccessful. 64 km… …  

  • Dardanelles — Dar|da|nelles the Dardanelles the long narrow area of sea which connects the European and Asian parts of Turkey. It was called the Hellespont in ancient times …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Dardanelles — noun 1. the strait between the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara that separates European Turkey from Asian Turkey • Syn: ↑Canakkale Bogazi, ↑Hellespont • Instance Hypernyms: ↑strait, ↑sound • Part Holonyms: ↑Turkey, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”