Sea of Nordska

The Sea of Nordska lies between eastern Levantia and the arctic, just north of Fiannria. It is connected to the Kilikas Sea through the Vithin Straits and the Noborean Passage. Together with the Kilikas Sea it serves as a pass-through for waters from the Levantine Ocean to the Coscivian Sea. The sea is bound by the Arctic in the north and Levantia in the south. During the winter months much of the seas coastlines freeze over, inhibiting trade for part of the year. On the other hand, the sea is known to be quite calm for much the rest of the year. This has allowed it to become a major fishery for the nations surrounding the sea for most civilizations settled the region. Because of the mountains separating the northernmost region of Ultmar from the Levantian core regions, control of the sea has been vital for any trade, piracy or invasions in towards or out from Levantias crown. In more modern times the Sea has become an important trade lane for freight, especially targeted at delivering between Alshar and the Vandarch.

The countries with coastlines on the Sea of Nordska are Fiannria, Faneria, Caergwynn, Vithinja and Urcea.

Geography
The Sea of Nordska is a relatively shallow sea, with an average depth of only about 344 m. A good portion of the sea is resting on the Levantian continental shelf leading to depths of less than 100 m deep. The deepest region of the sea is the South Borean Basin at a depth of 1933 m.

Because of the warm currents flowing up the Levantian coast, the cold current flowing down from the arctic and the mixed current flowing in from the Kilikas both winds and current in the Sea of Nordska are often unpredictable and fleeting.

Sea temperature
Very cold. Don't go swimming.

Etymology
The Sea of Nordska is also sometimes called "Nordskan Sea", "Nordska Bay" or "Noborean Bay".

According to most common Latin encyclopaedias the word "Nordskan" originates from a misunderstanding during the Viking Age. The raiders would commonly describe themselves as "Nordeskja" or similar words based on differing languages and dialects. In their gothic language this actually just means something similar as "men from the north". Linguists and Anthropologists who has researched this phenomenon assume that this was caused by these raiders misunderstanding the meaning of a phrase along the line of "where did you come from?".

An archaic and confusing name for the Sea of Nordska is the "Kilikas Sea", as many old maps would simply consider both sides of the Vithin Straits to be a single body of water, instead separating them by "East Kilikas Sea" and "West Kilikas Sea".

Early History
There are three suspected civilisations existing in this region before the North Gothic and Caeric migrations, although the evidence for these civilisations ranges from lacking to near nonexistant. It is made up of the following civilizations: The Gothic First Men, the Kingdom of Caladcholg and the Noborean Aboriginals.

Although more active in the Sea of Istroya, the Bergendii are of some importance in the early history of the Sea of Nordska.

The island of Vonein was finally discovered and settled by a nogaul group sometime in the 4th to 7th century. The island was then further settled by North Gothic vikings as well as Bergendii corsairs in 1233.

Age of Sail
With the expansion of the Burgundie trade empire and the creation of the Burgoignesc North Levantine Trading Company, most of the Sea of Nordska would fall under their influence. This served to stimulate trade through the Vithin Straits especially for goods originating from Alshar colonies.

From the early 1600s the Burgundie started large-scale whaling in the region. Within the next 50 years this new industry would spread to most of the Nordskan countries.

Modern Era
Because of it's location in between Kiravia and Burgundie, the Sea of Nordska would be an important naval battleground in the First Great War.

In modern times, the complicated territorial claims in the region help to fuel tensions between the countries with Exclusive economic zones in the sea. Just between Vithinjan and Fanerian fishermen there has been 14 separate incidents which result in severe damage to both ships and crew.

Biodiversity
The sea of Nordska shares much of it's biodiversity with the Levantine Ocean, but there are some species who specifically make these cold waters their home.

Fish
The Nordskan Herring is the most common Levantine Salmon Levantine Cod

Mammals
Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Beluga, Orca, Bowhead Whale Extinct: Grey Whales, Right-Whales,

Walrus, Sealions, Seals, Polar Bears

Birds
Puffins, Albatross,

Shipping
A lot of ships travel through the Vithin Straits.

Tourism
Although most of the Sea of Nordska is not the nicest of waters to swim in, a few southern regions would still see some tourism. Some other forms...

Fishing and Whaling
Fishing has been common since pre-history. Extensive fishing really started to get going in the Age of Sail. During the 20th century overfishing caused the regions fishing stock to almost completely collapse.

Whaling has been practised since the vikings at the very least. Extensive whaling started in the 1600s. Whaling between 1850 and 1950 would wipe out an estimated 90% of the whale population in the Sea of Nordska. This would directly lead to the extinction of an unknown number of smaller whale species and the two massive species Levatine Grey Whale and the Levantine Right Whale.

Oil and Gas
Vithinja has extensive Oil platforms set up in large parts of the Nordskan sea.

Pollution
During the industrial era pollution from surrounding nations was extensive.

In the modern day, most of the Nordskan countries are doing a good job restricting and stamping out pollution of their coastal waters.

Oil drilling, surveying and particularly any sonar activity all contribute to substantial noise pollution which is believed to have negative effects on the local Whale populations. Exact effects are still being researched.