Sea of Azov
The Sea of Azov is located in the Eastern part of Europe and is taken as just a stretch of the Black Sea on its southern end. On its eastern end the Sea of Azov borders Russia while on its western side it neighbors the Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine neighbors the sea on its northern end. The Sea of Azov has a major river that runs into it known as the Don River. The name of the Sea of Azov is believed to have been derived from an early settlement near Azov. During the old times the sea used to be known as the Maeotis Swamp.
Sea of Azov Facts for Kids
Interesting Sea of Azov Facts:
- The Sea of Azov is the shallowest sea in the world with a mean depth of 23 feet and a maximum depth of 46 feet.
- The Sea of Azov covers a total surface area of 39,000 km2 (15,000 square mi) with a maximum length of 220 miles and a maximum wideness of approximately 110 miles.
- The Sea of Azov is a home for more than 300 different species of invertebrate and more than 80 different types of fish. The most valuable types of fish found in this sea are sturgeon, pike-perch, bream and sea-roach. However the variety of fish species that live in the Sea of Azov have been reduced by human activities which include overfishing, construction of dams which lead to decreased water levels and increased pollution resulting from water-intense large scale farming methods.
- The Sea of Azov has more than 20 rivers running into it where most of them enter into the sea from the north. The don and Kuban Rivers are responsible for more than 90% of the water that enters the sea, however the Don River brings twice the amount of water than that of Kuban River.
- The Sea of Azov has the largest spits on earth which have a length of more than 70 miles. The spits is called the Arabat Spit.
- The climatic condition of the Sea of Azov is usually hot and dry during the summers and cold during the winters. The winds blowing from Siberia causes the temperature to reduce to negative 30 degrees Celsius during the winters.
- Politically, the Sea of Azov is in between Russia and Ukraine and is controlled by an agreement between the two countries that was signed in 2003.
- The depth of the Sea of Azov is continually decreasing due to the deposits of mud and other substances brought in by the rivers flowing into the sea.
- The Sea of Azov has several ports in it with the main ones being Tahanrih, Mariupol and Rostov-na-Donu. The shore of the Sea of Azov is famous for the warm summers.
- There have been many battles taking place in the Sea of Azov, for example during the 1600s there used to be frequent military conflicts in this sea. Another example is the Crimean War which was between the Russians and an alliance of the British and the French.
The following questions would also be help in understanding the Sea of Azov better.
Question: Which are the major species of birds found in the Sea of Azov?
Answer: Ducks, Wild geese, Seagulls, Cormorants, Pelicans, Swans, Sandpipers, Herons, and Birds of prey.
Question: Which are the mammals that are found on the shore of the Sea of Azov?
Answer: Hedgehogs, Hares, Wild boar, Martens, Weasels, Wild cats, and Foxes.
Question: Which are the common species of fish that are believed to live in the Sea of Azov?
Answer: Perch, Sturgeon, Whitefish, Herring, Plaice, Mackerel, Carp, Mullet, Bream, and Anchovies.
