Small inland sea in Turkey, connected to the Black Sea by the Bosporus and to the Aegean Sea by the Dardanelles, separating the continents of Europe and Asia; area 11,140 sq km/4,300 sq mi. In parts it reaches depths of over 1,200 m/3,936 ft. There are several islands in the sea that contain white-marble quarries, the largest of which is Marmara.
The star depicts Liberia as a shining light. The blue canton symbolizes the dark continent of Africa. The stripes represent the 11 signatories to the Declaration of Independence. Effective date: 26 July 1847.