Mor Bihan
Geography
The Mor Bihan, or the Little Sea, is a largely enclosed gulf on the Menhir Coast of The Armorican Peninsula, connected to the Mor Kantabria via the Bay of Kiberin. A narrow strait, passing between the Rhuys Peninsula and the Lokmaria-Kaer Peninsula, connects the Mor Bihan with the Bay of Kiberen. Most of the bay is ringed by short cliffs, no higher than 10 meters, interspersed with marshland and mudflats.
The bay is fed by several rivers that flow into its waters, giving it several brackish areas.
The Mor Bihan is filled with islands, claimed to be as numerous as days of the Year. Many of these are phantom islands, emerging from other realms from banks of thick Feth Fiada. The largest islands in the gulf are Enizenac’h (Monk’s Island) and the An Arzh Archipelago.
The islands and the coastline are dotted with Standing Stones, such as cromlechs, dolmens and tumuli, though the great menhir alignments of Karnag are the most prominent, located on the open fields of the western shores.
Politically, it resides entirely within the Kontelezh Gwened, specifically the Biskonti Gwened and the Lordship of Rhuys
Ecosystem
Due to the mixture of saltwater life from the Mor Bras and the freshwater life from the Rivers, the Mor Bihan is teeming with diverse life.
Localized Phenomena
The tides rushing through the narrow channel are extremely fast and strong, requiring strict passages in and out of the Gulf. Outside of these times, travel is extremely hazardous and difficult.
Feth Fiada, rolling in from the Mor Kantabria, is often heavy over the sea.
Natural Resources
The sea is used for fishing and shellfish harvesting, with oysters and sea bass being the most commonly fished.
History
The region was once dominated by mudflats and low-lying marshes, but these were submerged during the Calamity of Ys
A popular legend links the formation of the sea to the tears of the Korrigan chased from the forest of Brekilien, however, both the formation of the gulf and the settlement by the Korrigan in the region predates the initial destruction of the forest. This has not stopped the story from being spread widely. Nevertheless, the story has gained the sea the nickname of "The Sea of Tears".
Tourism
The sea is largely traversed by Sinagot, a two-masted sailboat used for fishing and coastal trading, notable for their distinctive orange sails, created by a mixture of tallow and crushed pine bark, and their black hulls, sealed with pine tar.
Alternative Name(s)
The Little Sea, the Sea of Tears
Type
Inland Sea
Location under
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Owning Organization
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