This handbook provides an overview on relevant structural features from a cultural-historical perspective and thereby examines to what extent the Black Sea region constitutes a historical meso-region "sui generis". The first introductory chapter is dedicated to the concept of the area as a historical meso-region. The second chapter gives a chronological overview on the history of the area from ancient until present times. The following three chapters are dedicated to a particular structural feature each: Chapter 3 covers ideas and identities, chapter 2 mobility and transfers, and chapter 3 deals with violence, conflict and conflict resolution. The temporal focus in these three chapters is on the modern period, but where appropriate also earlier developments will be considered. In geographical terms, each subchapter envisages the whole Black Sea region, certain subregions are covered more in detail according to the specialization of the specific authors. Particular attention is paid to phenomena and developments which connect the different shores of the Black Sea and present a unifying characteristic of the region.