Azov << AZ awf or uh ZAWF >>, Sea of, is a large, shallow inland sea bounded by Ukraine and Russia. It is connected with the Black Sea by the Kerch Strait.
The Sea of Azov covers about 14,500 square miles (37,600 square kilometers) and is only about 46 feet (14 meters) deep. Its western end is called the Syvash, or Putrid Lake, because of the many foul-smelling marshes and lagoons there. The lagoons yield important chemicals for industry. The Don River flows into the Gulf of Taganrog (also spelled Tahanrozka), which lies at the northeastern end of the sea. Ice and storms make shipping on the Sea of Azov dangerous in winter.
