The Black Sea Part of the Atlantic

THE BLACK SEA PART OF THE ATLANTIC The Black Sea 1 lies between European Turkey on the west, South Russia on the north, and Caucasia on the east. It is oval-shaped, and, including the Sea of Azov, has an area of 180,000 square miles. It is connected with the Mediterranean by the Channel of Constantinople, or Bosphorus,' the Sea of Marmora, and the Dardanelles. The Bosphorus is about 20 miles long, and in narrowest part scarcely half a mile wide, but deep throughout, and navigable for the largest versels. Though much smaller than the Mediterranean, the Black Sea receives the drainage of an arsa three times as large—roughly estimated at 900,000 square miles, or nearly a fourth of the entire area of Europe. The principal rivers entering it are—from Europe, the Danube (1,630 miles), Dniaster (700 miles), Dnieper (1,200 miles), and the Don (1,100 miles), which falls into the Sea of Azov ; from Asia, the Rion, Joruk-su, Kizil Irmak, and the Sakaria. The supply of fresh water exceeds that

evaporated, hence the waters of the Black Sea are fresher than those of the Mediterranean ; and hence, also, the strong outflow into the Mediterranean through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. The Sea of Azov is always, and the northern parts of the Black Sea sometimes, frozen over in winter. The latter is deep, and uninter rupted by islands or rocks ; but its navigation is rendered dangerous by frequent sudden storms and heavy fogs.