Sea of Azov: Interesting facts about the smallest sea in the world

The Sea of Azov is considered the smallest and most continental body of water in the world. It’s also known as the most “family-friendly” sea. The features of its coastline, shallow bottom relief, relatively mild climate, and warm water from May to October make it an ideal place for family vacations, attracting thousands of tourists to its shores annually.

The Sea of Azov washes the shores of only two countries – Russia and Ukraine, yet it has been known worldwide since ancient times. Mentions of this water artery can be found among the Greeks, Romans, Scythians, and other peoples. Each of them preferred to name it differently: the Meotian Lake, Kargaluk, the Fish Sea, Temerinda, Bahar al-Asasak, and others.

The modern name appeared much later, but its origin cannot be precisely determined, leaving linguists only to make guesses.

Interesting facts about the Sea of Azov:

1. It is believed that the Sea of Azov emerged about 7700 years ago, yet it is considered one of the youngest seas in the world. There is a theory that the waters of the Black Sea once surged through the Kerch Strait, flooding the depression and thus forming a new reservoir.
2. Ancient Romans considered the Sea of Azov not a sea but a swamp, and this is how they labeled it on their maps.
3. The average depth of the reservoir does not exceed 6.5 – 8 meters, making it well-heated. This turns the Sea of Azov into a kind of fish nursery, and its shore into an ideal place for fishing. Even during strong storms, waves higher than 4 meters are not recorded here.
4. According to ancient legends, once in the waters of the Sea of Azov, there lived a beautiful and very militant tribe of Amazons, consisting only of women. There is mention of this in Homer’s “Iliad.”
5. A long chain of straits and seas separates this reservoir from the Atlantic Ocean. To get from the Sea of Azov to the Atlantic, one needs to embark on a long journey: first, cross the Kerch Strait and reach the Black Sea. Then, through the Bosporus Strait in Turkey, you can sail into the Sea of Marmara, and from there, through the Dardanelles, into the Aegean Sea. But that’s not all: the long Mediterranean Sea stands in the way, only after overcoming it, through the Strait of Gibraltar, will you finally reach the Atlantic Ocean.
6. On some stretches of the beaches of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, you can observe a phenomenon locally called “black (or uranium) sand.” Its scientific name is monazite sands, and they do indeed have weak radioactivity due to the presence of tiny particles of thorium and uranium.
7. The reservoir has an unofficial nickname. It is called the “Sea of Mollusks.”
8. Scientists observe an annual decrease in the water level in the Sea of Azov. If this trend continues, it could lead to irreversible consequences – the reservoir will completely dry up, and the Azov dolphins and other animals and fish inhabiting it will die out.
9. The salinity of the Sea of Azov is not high, averaging 11-14%. There are even almost fresh areas where carp, zander, and pike live. However, due to the abundance of murky river inflows, high iodine content, and clayey bottom, the water appears muddy and dirty. Sometimes, mainly in the summer, the water turns bright green due to the activity of microorganisms. This phenomenon is known as “water bloom.”
10. Closer to the end of summer, during the velvet season, during night swimming, you can witness real magic – tiny sparks run through the water from the swimmer’s body. In fact, these are just luminescent microorganisms that are part of the fauna of the Sea of Azov.
11. In cold weather, coastal waters freeze. If the winter is very cold, the sea freezes completely. This is dangerous due to the formation of ice floes, which press against the shore and destroy the resort infrastructure, and sometimes nearby houses.
12. The volume of water in Lake Baikal is 95 times greater than that of the Sea of Azov.
    The Azov area has a very large population of birds, many of which have protected status, so special reserves have been created for them.
13. Deposits of natural resources, mainly oil and natural gas, have been found on the bottom and in the adjacent areas. However, they are not developed because, according to specialists’ estimates, their extraction would be a very costly process.
    Some geologists believe that this object would be more appropriately classified as a lagoon.
14. The Sea of Azov is connected to the Black Sea via the narrow Kerch Strait, which is only about 4 to 15 kilometers wide. This strait serves as a crucial passage for ships traveling between the two seas.
15. The Sea of Azov is relatively shallow compared to other seas, with a maximum depth of around 14 meters. Its shallow waters make it vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities.
16. Due to its shallow depth and relatively small size, the Sea of Azov is susceptible to fluctuations in water level, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or drought. These fluctuations can impact marine life, coastal ecosystems, and human activities such as shipping and fishing.
17. The Sea of Azov experiences significant seasonal variations in temperature, with warmer temperatures in the summer months and colder temperatures in winter. This seasonal variation affects the behavior and distribution of marine species in the sea.
18. The Sea of Azov is home to a diverse range of marine life, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and various species of algae. Commercially important fish species found in the sea include flounder, herring, sprat, and various types of gobies.
19. The sea’s coastline is characterized by sandy beaches, coastal dunes, and marshy areas, providing habitats for various plant and animal species. These coastal habitats also serve as breeding grounds for birds and nesting sites for sea turtles.
20. The Sea of Azov has a long history of human settlement and activity, with archaeological evidence indicating human presence in the region dating back thousands of years. The sea’s shores have been inhabited by various civilizations, including the ancient Greeks, Scythians, and early Slavic tribes.
21. The Sea of Azov has been an important trade route throughout history, connecting the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea and the Volga River basin. In ancient times, it served as a vital link in the trade networks of the Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods between Europe and Asia.
22. The sea’s strategic importance has made it a contested region throughout history, with numerous conflicts and power struggles occurring over control of its territories and resources. In modern times, disputes between Russia and Ukraine over the status of Crimea and the Kerch Strait have heightened tensions in the region.
23. The Sea of Azov is bordered by several major port cities, including Mariupol and Berdyansk in Ukraine, and Taganrog and Rostov-on-Don in Russia. These ports play a significant role in the region’s economy, facilitating trade, shipping, and maritime activities.