SEA OF

See also:

• AZOV
• SEA OF AZOV

AZOV  , an inland sea of southern Europe, communicating with the Black Sea by the Strait of Yenikale, or Kerch, the ancient Bosporus Cimnterius . To the Romans it was known as the Pal us Maeotis, from the name of the neighbouring people, who called it in their native language Temarenda, or Mother of Waters . It was long supposed to possess direct communication with the Northern Ocean . In prehistoric times a connexion with the Caspian Sea existed; but since the earliest historical times no great change has taken place in regard to the character or relations of the Sea of Azov . It lies between 450 20' and 470 18' N. lat;, and between 350 and 390 E. long., its length from south-west to north-east being 230 m., and its greatest breadth to . The area runs to 14,515 sq. m . It generally freezes from November to the middle of April . The Don is its largest and, indeed, its only very important affluent . Near the mouth of that river the depth of the sea varies from 3 to to ft., and the greatest depth does not exceed 45 ft . Of recent years, too, the level has been constantly dropping, for the surface lies 44 ft. higher than the surface of the Black Sea . Fierce and continuous winds from the east prevail during July and August, and in the latter part of the year those from the north-east and south-east are not unusual; a great variety of currents is thus produced . The water is for the most part comparatively fresh, but differs considerably in this respect according to locality and current .

Fish are so abundant that the Turks describe it as Baluk-deniz, or Fish Sea . To the west, separated from the main basin by the long narrow sand-spit of Arabat, lie the remarkable lagoons and marshes known as the Sivash, or Putrid Sea; here the water is intensely salt . The Sea of Azov is of great importance to Russian commerce; along its shores stand the cities of Taganrog, Berdyansk, Mariupol and Yenikale .