The shallow Sea of Azov is clearly distinguished from the deeper Black Sea.

The Sea of Azov (Russian: Азо́вское мо́ре - Azovskoye more; Ukrainian: Азо́вське мо́ре - Azovs'ke more, Crimean Tatar: Azaq deñizi) is a northern section of the Black Sea, linked to the larger body through the Strait of Kerch. It is bounded on the north by Ukraine, on the east by Russia and on the west by the Crimean peninsula. Description: The Sea of Azov and southern Ukraine in early winter. ... Description: The Sea of Azov and southern Ukraine in early winter. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Map of the Black Sea. ... Kerch Strait. ... Motto: Процветание в единстве - Prosperity in unity Anthem: Нивы и горы твои волшебны, Родина - Your fields amd mounts are wonderful, Motherland Capital Simferopol Largest cities Simferopol, Eupatoria, Kerch, Theodosia, Yalta Official language Ukrainian. ... Peninsula A peninsula (from Latin paene insula, almost island) is a geographical formation consisting of an extension of land from a larger body, surrounded by water on three sides. ...

The Black Sea deluge theory dates the genesis of the Sea of Azov to 5600 BC, and there are traces of Neolithic settlement in the area now covered by it. In antiquity, it was known as the Maeotian Lake or Maeotian Sea (Greek ἡ Μαιῶτης λίμνη and Latin Palus Maeotis). The Black Sea deluge is a hypothesized prehistoric flood that occurred when the Black Sea rapidly filled, possibly forming the basis for some Great Flood myths. ... (7th millennium BC – 6th millennium BC – 5th millennium BC – other millennia) Events c. ... An array of Neolithic artefacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools Excavated dwellings at Skara Brae Scotland, Europes most complete Neolithic village. ... It has been suggested that History of the Latin language be merged into this article or section. ...

The current name is popularly said to come from a certain Polovtsian prince named Azum or Asuf, who was killed defending a town in this region in 1067. Most scholars derive the name from the city of Azov, or Azak, meaning "low" in Turkish, a reference to its location. Cumans, also called as Polovtsy, (Russian Половцы, from old Slavic for pale yellowish) was the European name for the Western Kipchaks, a nomadic West Turkic tribe living on the north of the Black Sea along the Volga. ... Azov (Russian: ) is a town in Rostov Oblast, Russia, situated on the Don River just three kilometers from the Sea of Azov, which derives its name from the town. ... Azov is a town in the Rostov Oblast of the Russian Federation, situated on the Don River just 4 miles from the Sea of Azov, which derives its name from the town. ...

The sea is 340 km long and 135 km wide and has an area of 37,555 km² (14,500 mi²). The main rivers flowing into the sea are the Don and Kuban; they ensure that the waters of the sea are comparatively low in salinity and almost fresh in places, and also bring huge volumes of silt into the sea. To the west also lie the 110 km Arabat Spit and the highly saline marshy inlets of the Sivash. The Don (Дон) is one of the major rivers of Russia. ... The Kuban (Куба́нь) is a river in Russia, in the Northern Caucasus region. ... Narrow strip of land between Crimea and Azov Sea. ...

The Sea of Azov is the shallowest sea in the world with an average depth of only 13 metres; in fact, where the silt has built up, such as the Gulf of Taganrog, the average depth is less than 1 metre. The prevailing current in the sea is a counter-clockwise swirl; the tides are variable but can peak at over 5 metres. In the winter large portions of the sea can be ice-bound. Taganrog Bay or Taganrog Gulf (Russian: ) is the largest bay in the North-western part of the Sea of Azov. ...

Significant ports on the sea are Berdyansk, Mariupol, Rostov-na-Donu, Taganrog and Yeysk. Two canals enter into the sea — the Volga-Don Canal and a link to the Caspian Sea through the Manych Canal. The sea has a number of significant fisheries and has been exploited for gas and oil extraction. Berdyansk (Бердянськ; Russian Berdyansk) is a port city in southeastern Ukraine within its Zaporizka oblast. Between 1939 and 1958 it was known as Osipenko. ... Mariupol is a city in the Ukraine. ... The kremlin in Rostov Rostov (Russian: Росто́в) is one of the oldest towns in Russia and an important tourist centre of the so called Golden ring. ... Taganrog (Russian: ) is a city and seaport in Rostov Oblast, Russia. ... The Lenin Volga-Don Shipping Canal (In Russian Волго-Донской судоходный канал имени Ð’. И. Ленина) is a canal, which connects the Volga River and the Don River in a closest location between them. ... Caspian Sea viewed from orbit The Caspian Sea is a landlocked endorheic sea of Eurasia between Asia and Europe. ... The Manych Canal is a canal which connects the Caspian Sea and Sea of Azov, which connects to the Black Sea. ... It has been suggested that black gold (oil) be merged into this article or section. ...

Historically the sea has had a rich variety of marine life, with over eighty fish species identified as well as 300 varieties of invertebrates. Diversity and numbers have been reduced by over-fishing and increasing levels of pollution. Water pollution Pollution is the release of environmental contaminants. ...

External link

• Atlantis in the Sea of Azov. Eagle/Wind, 2003