Das Kaspische Meer - Binnensee am äußersten Rande Europas

Europe, the continent most penetrated by the sea, has developed a close connection to the seas since time immemorial. But what may seem like a matter of course to most inhabitants of western Europe is not always present to many people in the middle of the continent or even in eastern Europe. Although people everywhere dream of beaches and seaside vacations, the sea is far more than just a cipher for longing and dream trips. Without the sea and seafaring, there would be little or no interaction with the worlds of other continents. It was only with the European discovery of America by Columbus that the development of a modern world system began, which has cumulated in the "globalization" of recent decades and led to a worldwide exchange of goods. For decades, 90% of Germany's imports and exports of raw materials and goods have come and gone via its ports, and the situation is similar in most European countries.