Oresund Strait Facts

Oresund Strait Facts
Oresund Strait separates Denmark from Sweden, running 73 miles long between the two countries and varying in width between 2.5 and 17 miles. Oresund is one of four waterways that connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. The other three are Great Belt, Little Belt, and Kiel Canal. Oresund Strait is one of the world's busiest waterways. Oresund Strait is named for the word Oresund; 'Ore' means gravel or sand beach, and 'sund' means sound or strait. The word Oresund dates back to 1000 AD. The salinity of Oresund Strait varies due to unusual and shifting water conditions.
Interesting Oresund Strait Facts:
Political control of Oresund Strait has been an issue between Denmark and Sweden for most of its history.
In 1857 the Oresund Strait became an international waterway thanks to the Copenhagen Convention. The dues that had to be paid to Denmark for centuries were abolished.
Sweden built the Gota Canal in an effort to be independent of the Oresund Strait in 1810-1832.
In 2000 the Oresund Bridge was opened, connecting both sides of the strait permanently. It originates in Copenhagen in Denmark and runs 5 miles to an artificial island that turns the bridge into an underwater tunnel that runs 2.5 miles to Malmo in Sweden. It is a double track railway and a motorway for transporting people back and forth between the two countries. There is a toll to use the bridge and tunnel.
The seafloor of Oresund Strait is usually stable, with salinity similar to oceanic.
There are believed to be approximately 600 species known to exist in various parts of Oresund Strait.
Denmark's islands in Oresund Strait include Amager, Saltholm, Peberholm, Middelgrundsfortet, Flakfortet, and Amager Strandpark.
Sweden's islands in Oresund Strait include Ven and Graen.
Oresund Strait is roughly 8,500 years old which formed as a result of the sea levels rising.
Oresund Strait is a popular waterway for fishing. Species commonly sought after are herring, cod, Pollock, flatfish, and mackerel.
Oresund Strait is considered to be home to some of the best recreational fishing opportunities in the region.
Pacu is a fish that has been found in Oresund Strait in recent years. It resembles the piranha and swimmers have been warned to protect certain body parts to avoid being bit. There was only one fish known to be caught in the strait in 2013 so it is not known if it is a species to be concerned about.
At one time during Denmark's control of the Oresund Strait the country maintained two fortresses - one at Elsinore on the west side and one on the east side at Helsingborg. The eastern side was ceded to Sweden in 1658 due to the signing of The Treaty of Roskilde.
Oresund Strait is a popular tourist destination for those looking to enjoy fishing expeditions.
The construction of the Oresund Bridge took into account the unique nature of the artificial island it uses to change to a tunnel. There are several endangered species that utilize the area and this was accounted for in the bridge's design and construction to minimize impact.


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