AZOV, SEA OF, an inland sea of southern Europe, com municating with the Black sea by the strait of Yenikale, or Kerch, the ancient Bosporus Cimmerius. To the Romans it was known as the Palus Maeotis. In prehistoric times a connection with the Caspian sea existed, but present conditions have obtained through the Manych depression since early historical times. It lies between 45° and 47° N. and between 35° and 39° E., its length from south-west to north-east being 370km., and its greatest breadth 17o kilometres. The area runs to 42,000 square kilometres. It generally freezes from the end of 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 0.3 to s.om., and the greatest depth does not exceed 13 metres. North-east and east winds, in July and August as well as in December, drive the water away from the very shallow gulf of Taganrog and the water level falls 2 metres or more so that ships are liable to ground. On the other hand strong south-westerly winds raise the level in the gulf of Taganrog by 1-1•5 metres. Its Turkish name, Baluk-deniz, means fish-sea. The long sandspit of Arabat on the west separates off the salter lagoons and marshes known as the Sivash or Putrid sea. On the shores of the sea of Azov stand Taganrog, Berdyansk, Mariupol and Genichesk, which export wheat, while Rostov, 45km. up stream, is the important port for the most fertile part of Russia. See Mediterranean Pilot, Admiralty, London ; O. Kriimmel, Oceano graphie (1,, 1907) (ii., 1911) ; N. M. Knipowich, Wissensch. Fisch Exped. im Azow. u. Schwarzen Meer (i. Kereh, 1926, ii. Leningrad, 1927).