White Sea - Definition and Overview

The White Sea (Бе́лое мо́ре) is an inlet of the Barents Sea on the North Western coast of Russia. It is surrounded by Karelia to the west, and the Kola peninsula to the north.

The important port of Arkhangelsk is located on the White Sea. For much of Russia's history this was Russia's main centre of international maritime trade. In the modern era it became an important Soviet naval and submarine base.

The White Sea-Baltic Canal connects the White Sea with the Baltic Sea.

The whole of the White Sea is under Russian sovereignty (i.e. considered to be internal waters of Russia).