Autumn and winter weather Sea of ​​Azov influenced by Siberian. As a result of its influence, winds of the northeast and eastern directions. Their average speed is 4 - 7 m / s. During this period, powerful storms are observed, the speed of which reaches over 15 m / s. In this case, a sharp drop in temperature occurs. average temperature in January it is about - 2 - 5 ° С. During stormy periods it drops to -25 - 27°С.

In spring and summer for climatic conditions The Sea of ​​Azov is influenced by the Azores maximum. When exposed to it, winds of various directions are observed. Their speed is quite small - 3 - 5 m / s. In the warm season, complete calm is observed. In the summer on the Sea of ​​Azov it is quite high. In July, the air warms up to + 23 - 25°C on average. In spring, less often in summer, the sea is in power. At the same time, winds of the southwestern and western directions are observed. The speed of these winds is 4 - 6 m/s. During cyclones, short showers are also observed. In the spring-summer period, sunny weather prevails, with high temperatures.

Two large rivers carry their waters to the Sea of ​​Azov: the Kuban and about 20 small rivers. Small rivers mainly flow into the northern part of the sea. The river runoff of the Sea of ​​Azov is determined by the volume of water carried by the Kuban and Don rivers. The waters produced by small rivers are used for evaporation. On average, the sea receives about 36.7 km 3 per year.

Most a large number of water is provided by the Don (more than 60%), which flows into the Taganrog Bay into the northeastern part of the sea. The Kuban brings its waters to the southeastern part of the sea. The waters of the Kuban make up 30% of the total flow. Most of the river water enters the eastern part of the sea; it is absent in the rest of the mainland. The largest number fresh water the sea receives in the spring and summer. After the Kuban and Don rivers began to be regulated, the seasonal distribution of the mainland runoff changed. Prior to this, in the spring, the rivers brought about 60% of the total runoff, in the summer - 15%. After the creation of hydroelectric facilities on the rivers, it began to account for 40%, and the share of summer increased to 20%. There is an increase in winter and autumn runoff. A greater change was made to the Don than to the Kuban.

Water exchange between Azov and occurs through. During the year, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov gives off about 49 km2 of water, the Black Sea about 33.8 km3 of water. On average, the waters of the Black Sea increase their volume per year due to the Sea of ​​Azov by about 15.5 km3. River runoff and marine water exchange are closely related. If there is a decrease in river flow, then there is a decrease in the flow of waters of the Sea of ​​​​Azov and an increase in inflow Black Sea water. The waters of the Sea of ​​Azov interact with the waters through the Thin Strait. During the year, the sea gives off about 1.5 km 3, and receives about 0.3 km 3 from the Sivash.

On average, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov loses and receives approximately the same amount of water per year. The waters of the sea are fed by river runoff (about 43%) and the waters of the Black Sea (40%). During the year, the Sea of ​​Azov loses its waters as a result of water exchange with the Black Sea (58%) and evaporation from the surface (40%).

In the water expanses of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov, ice forms every year. Due to the fact that the winter here is short and the frosts are changeable, the formation of ice is irregular. During the winter, the ice undergoes various changes: it appears and disappears again, becomes drifting, and then freezes to a stationary state. At the end of November, the first ice begins to appear in the Taganrog Bay. In early December, ice covers the northeastern and northwestern parts of the sea. Only in mid-January, ice appears in the southwestern and southern regions. The timing of ice formation may vary from year to year. The maximum thickness that ice can reach is 80 - 90 cm. On average, the ice thickness can be about 20 cm, with a relatively mild winter.

Sea of ​​Azov (photo by Mikhail Manaev)

In mid-February, the ice gradually weakens. At the end of February, it begins to collapse near the coast in the southern part of the sea. By the beginning of March, the ice breaks up in the northern part, and in mid-March, in the Taganrog Bay. The sea is completely free of ice only by mid-March - April.

Widely developed in the Sea of ​​Azov economic activity person. It is well developed fishing. A large number of valuable species of fish (especially sturgeons) and a large number of various marine products are mined here. Currently, the volume of fisheries is declining due to a decrease in the number and diversity of the marine fauna. There are reserves in the bowels of the Azov Sea. Various goods are produced on the waters of the sea. Also on the sea coast there are resort areas for recreation.

The Sea of ​​Azov is an inland sea in eastern Europe. This is the shallowest sea in the world, its depth does not exceed 13.5 meters. By morphological features it refers to flat seas and is a shallow reservoir with low coastal slopes. sea ​​shores mostly flat and sandy, only on the southern coast there are hills of volcanic origin, which in places turn into steep frontal mountains. In terms of distance from the ocean, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is the continental sea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe planet. Coastline indented by bays and spits, the territory of which is a protected or resort-recreational area. The shores of the Sea of ​​Azov are low-lying, composed of sand and shell deposits. They flow into the Sea of ​​Azov major rivers Don, Kuban and numerous small rivers Mius, Berda, etc.

The salinity level of the Sea of ​​​​Azov is formed primarily under the influence of an abundant influx of river waters (up to 12% of the volume of water) and difficult water exchange with the Black Sea. The water contains very little salt in the northern part of the Sea of ​​Azov. For this reason, the sea freezes easily. IN winter period partial or complete freezing is possible, while the ice is carried into the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait.

The underwater relief of the sea is relatively simple. With distance from the shore, the depth slowly and smoothly increases, reaching 13 m in the central part of the sea. The main area of ​​the bottom is characterized by depths of 5-13 m. The location of the isobaths, which is close to symmetrical, is disturbed by their slight elongation in the northeast towards the Taganrog Bay. The 5 m isobath is located about 2 km from the coast, moving away from it near the Taganrog Bay and in the bay itself near the mouth of the Don. In the Taganrog Bay, the depths increase from the mouth of the Don (2-3 m) towards the open part of the sea, reaching 8-9 m at the border of the bay with the sea. In the relief of the bottom of the Sea of ​​Azov, systems of underwater elevations are noted, elongated along the eastern (Zhelezinskaya Bank) and western (Marskaya and Arabatskaya banks) coasts, the depths above which decrease from 8-9 to 3-5 m. For the underwater coastal slope of the northern The coast is characterized by wide shallow water (20-30 km) with depths of 6-7 m, for the southern coast - a steep underwater slope to depths of 11-13 m.

Sea currents are dependent on the very strong northeast and southwest winds blowing here and therefore change direction very often. The main current is a circular current along the shores of the Sea of ​​Azov counterclockwise.

The ichthyofauna of the Sea of ​​Azov currently includes 103 species and subspecies of fish belonging to 76 genera, and is represented by anadromous, semi-anadromous, marine and freshwater species.

Anadromous species of fish feed in the sea until puberty, and enter the river only for spawning. The breeding period in the rivers and or on the sites usually does not exceed 1-2 months. Among the Azov anadromous fish there are the most valuable commercial species, such as beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, herring, fish and shemaya.

Semi-anadromous species for breeding come from the sea into the rivers. However, in rivers they can linger for a longer time than anadromous (up to a year). As for the juveniles, they leave the spawning grounds very slowly and often stay in the river for the winter. Semi-anadromous fish include mass species such as zander, bream, ram, sabrefish and some others.

sea ​​views breed and roost in salty waters. Among them, species that constantly live in the Sea of ​​​​Azov stand out. These are pilengas, flounder-kalkan, glossa, tyulka, perkarina, three-spined komashka, fish-needles and all kinds of gobies. And finally there is large group marine fish, entering the Sea of ​​Azov from the Black Sea, including those making regular migrations. These include: Azov anchovy, Black Sea anchovy, Black Sea herring, red mullet, golden mullet, sharp-nosed mullet, black sea trout, horse mackerel, mackerel, etc.

freshwater species usually live permanently in the same area of ​​the reservoir and big migrations do not commit. These species usually inhabit desalinated water areas of the sea. Here you can find such fish as sterlet, silver carp, pike, ide, bleak, etc.

In terms of the number of plant and animal organisms, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov has no equal in the world. In terms of productivity, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is 6.5 times greater than the Caspian Sea, 40 times the Black Sea, and 160 times the Mediterranean Sea. But in size it is 10 times smaller than Black.

Geologists unanimously agree that the subsoil of the Sea of ​​Azov is very rich. Zircon, rutile, ilmenite were found here. Under the bottom of the sea are minerals containing a good half of the periodic table. There are underwater mud volcanoes in the southeastern part of the sea. Commercial reserves of natural gas have been found in the depths of the Sea of ​​Azov.

What is it - rest on the Sea of ​​Azov? We tell you where it is better to relax, what prices are in the summer of 2019, what infrastructure is in the resorts and who they are suitable for. Map of the resorts of the Sea of ​​Azov.

The Sea of ​​Azov is shallow, its waters warm up well at the beginning of summer, and children simply adore sand and shell beaches. The second undoubted plus of the rest of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is its budget. In the summer, local residents willingly rent out housing to tourists, and you can rent a house or a room in a guest house for a very modest amount.

Hot tours at sea by the best prices it is worth looking on the services and - they compare the offers of all popular tour operators. Find out also, and!

Want to find hotel or housing in the private sector on the Sea of ​​Azov? Easily! RoomGuru has many interesting offers: rooms, apartments, guest houses, hotels and other accommodation options.

Map of the Sea of ​​Azov resorts

Prices and infrastructure

Vacation prices are one of the main criteria for choosing a resort, especially if you are traveling with a large family. Judging by the reviews of tourists, relatively inexpensive vacation on the Sea of ​​Azov in 2019 can be found in the villages of Kuchugury, Peresyp, Ilyich. These are small villages with good sandy beaches and poorly developed infrastructure, where accommodation can be found mainly in the private sector and guest houses.

Rest in Yeysk and the village of Golubitskaya will cost more. Yeysk is already Big city, there are reputable hotels, cafes, an embankment with a park where you can stroll in the evenings. Stanitsa Golubitskaya is more modest, but has a well-developed infrastructure, there are water attractions, night club and restaurants with Caucasian and local cuisine, many mini-hotels, recreation centers and rental offers.

In 2019, you can rent a turnkey house in the village of Ilyich from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles per day, in Peresyp and Taman from 1,500 to 2,500 rubles, in Golubitskaya - from 2,500 to 6,000 rubles. Prices in the private sector (per day): in Kuchugury and Peresyp from 250 to 550 rubles per person, in Golubitskaya from 300 to 800 rubles per person. In Yeysk, you can rent a good apartment for 1500-2500 rubles per day.

(Photo © Ekaterina Sotova / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Secluded rest on the Sea of ​​Azov

There are not so many city resorts on the coast, most often they are small villages, so it is not difficult to find a place for a secluded holiday on the Sea of ​​Azov. According to tourists, in 2019 it is better to relax on the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov on the Taman Peninsula: these are the villages of Priazovsky and Ilyich, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe Chushka Spit and Cape Pekla - there are most deserted places. In general, with tents you can go anywhere! wild beaches there are also on the outskirts of the village of Golubitskaya, you can get there on foot through the entire village or go around the estuary by car. From Taman to the Tuzla Spit there are many deserted places, but there are steep banks.

Active holidays on the Sea of ​​Azov: where is it better

Where is it better to relax on the Sea of ​​Azov in the summer of 2019 if you want to spend time actively?

Stanitsa Dolzhanskaya popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Here are special natural conditions The wind almost always blows. And if on one side of the spit the water surface is perfectly smooth, then on the other side a good wave rises, and you can go in for windsurfing and kiting. There are special bases for surfers on the coastline.

in Yeysk extreme people gather in the Youth Beach area. Clubs, catamaran and jet ski rentals, a yacht club and a pirate town are also located there. For beginners, there may be a school for beginner athletes.

In the village of Golubitskaya there is a paragliding center. Other activities include windsurfing, fishing and horseback riding.

Primorsko-Akhtarsk enjoys special love among fishermen, these places are simply replete with fish. You can fish from the seashore or from a boat in the bays and estuaries, and you can rent a boat.

Cultural and excursion rest

The resorts of the Sea of ​​Azov are mostly small villages that offer water activities and are more suitable for a quiet family vacation. Here's what you can visit and see while relaxing on the Sea of ​​​​Azov in 2019.

IN Golubitskaya there is a crocodile and ostrich farm, and as an excursion you can visit the Museum of the History of the Cossacks in the neighboring village of Starotitarovskaya, the Fanagoria and Abrau-Dyurso wineries, the Abinsk terrarium, the Tizdar and Hephaestus volcanoes.

IN Yeysk several city parks have been broken, and tourists also take boat trips along the coast and to nearby uninhabited islands. The ancient architecture is well preserved in the city, and the historical center of the city is popularly called merchant Yeysk. Not far from the city in the village of Morskoy there is an ethnographic museum dedicated to the history and life of the Kuban Cossacks. Near the museum there is a stable and a home farm, and for those who want to relax, picnic areas are organized.

In the Cossack village Taman a living ethnographic open-air museum "Ataman" was organized, where holidays are often held and a fabulous corner is opened especially for children. There is an archaeological museum in Taman, where finds from ancient settlements are located, on the site of which there is a modern village. At a distance of a kilometer from the museum are archaeological excavations. In addition, annually at the beginning of August, wine festivals "Taman Vine" and "Wines of Kuban" are held in the village.

Downtown Temryuk there is an open-air museum "Military Hill", the exhibits of which can be seen and touched.

Interesting excursions in Taganrog- in Chekhov's places (the house-museum of A.P. Chekhov, the Literary Museum, the museum-shop and drama theater named after A.P. Chekhov), the palace of Alexander I, the palace of Alferaki and others.

Where is it better to relax on the Sea of ​​​​Azov with children

With kids preschool age on the Sea of ​​​​Azov it is better to relax in small villages, there cleaner beaches And less people. With older children, you can already go where the entire entertainment infrastructure is developed.

In the village Dolzhanskaya there is little entertainment, but its unique microclimate, pine forest and clear sea with a depth more suitable for adults. Also on Dolzhanka, seafood lovers will be able to enjoy freshly caught fish, which is cooked in coastal cafes.

In the village Ilyich almost 10 m from the shore - solid shallow water. This place is suitable for a relaxing holiday there are few tourists here. IN Kuchugurakh - small park attractions for children, and 3 kilometers from the village there is a mud volcano, access to it is free. Not far from the village there is a beautiful lotus valley and a lake.

In general, you can relax with children on the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov in the summer of 2019 anywhere, nature itself took care of this. In the Sea of ​​Azov, it is more difficult to find a suitable place for recreation for adults than for children. And it is better to come in June: the water is already very warm, and there are not so many tourists yet. In addition, in the middle of summer, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov begins to bloom, the remnants of algae cling, and swimming becomes not very pleasant.

(Photo © Klad-rnd / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The best resorts for young people

If you need a drive - discos, nightclubs, festivals, then similar entertainment can be found in Taganrog and Yeysk. in Yeysk summer evenings there is an open-air disco "Atmsofera", bars and cafes on the beach are open. The most popular nightclubs in the city are Tornado, Rai, The First and Babylon.

People involved in extreme sports prefer the villages of Dolzhanskaya and Golubitskaya. There are several bars and cafes in Golubitskaya. In August, bikers and rock performers come here every year for the Taman - Freedom Peninsula festival. In Dolzhanskaya on the beach, the annual festival of electronic music and extreme sports A-ZOV takes place.

Resorts for the elderly

Holidays on the Sea of ​​Azov are ideal not only for children, but also for the elderly - they go to the coast for recovery. It is possible to be treated with mud at many resorts. There are sanatoriums with a medical profile in Taganrog, Yeysk, Golubitskaya, Peresyp, Kuchugury.

The main mud bath in Taman is Temryuk. Many sanatoriums are concentrated in the Temryuk zone, the mud is well studied and used for treatment nervous system and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Temryuk is easily accessible from Golubitskaya, Peresyp and Kuchugur by public transport.

Sulfide mud of Golubitskoye and Salt Lakes treat skin diseases, diseases of the joints and spine, accelerate metabolism and blood flow in peripheral vessels. Between the villages of Yasenskaya and Kopanskaya there is Khan Lake with therapeutic mud, along the banks of which cormorants and pelicans live.

Intro image source: © Vokcel / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is the shallowest in the world, its depth does not exceed 13.5 m. And it is also the warmest, there is a record number sunny days per year and surprisingly gently sloping sandy shores. It is not difficult to understand that this huge open-air paddling pool is just the perfect place to relax with children. And, I must say, the resorts of the Azov Sea are actively developing their “family” status: they are opening new water parks and dolphinariums, improving infrastructure, and in every possible way luring tourists with kids to their boarding houses and hotels.

In addition, the Sea of ​​Azov can be safely called unique: the rivers that actively flow into it not only greatly desalinated the reservoir, but also helped to form a surprisingly diverse flora and fauna. Simply put: here is first-class fishing and amazingly picturesque landscapes.

People who know appreciate the Sea of ​​Azov for the right winds: you can’t pull kite and windsurfers by the ears from local stations in Dolzhanka or Golubitskaya.

How to get to the Sea of ​​Azov

There are several major Russian and Ukrainian airports a short distance from the coast of the Sea of ​​Azov. From our side, these are the air hubs of Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Anapa and Simferopol; from Ukrainian - the airport in Mariupol.

The most convenient and fastest way to get to the resorts of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is by air (about 2 hours from Moscow). In second place in popularity is the railway. There are large transport hubs in the same Rostov, Krasnodar, Simferopol, and also in Taganrog and Yeysk. In the summer season, trains, as a rule, run several times a day, but it is better to buy tickets in advance (compartment - from 3800 RUB). Finally, in the summer, direct buses run to many major resorts (from Yeysk to Kerch and beyond). A ticket from Moscow to Kerch costs from 2500 RUB, and to Rostov-on-Don - from 1000 RUB. But you will have to spend at least a day on the way. Prices on the page are for November 2018.

Cities and resorts of the Sea of ​​Azov

The most childish sea in the world boasts a large selection of beaches, resorts and simply cozy deserted corners, where autotourists with tents aspire. From the Russian side (from north to south), everything starts from the ancient and charming city of Ranevskaya and Chekhov - Taganrog. You can also swim here, but still the main thing for which people come here is worthy museum collections and still felt the atmosphere of the county town of the late 19th century. Next comes Rostov-papa, wise, old, a little impudent, but surprisingly pleasant southern city, the entrance gate to the land of the sun, warmth and the Sea of ​​Azov. Next - Azov with its thousand-year history, well, and behind it - kilometers and kilometers of sand. It is to the south of Azov that the main beach Mecca begins: Pavlo-Ochakovskaya Spit, Chumbur-Kosa, Glafirovka and handsome Yeysk - the largest resort in the region.

About 20 kilometers from it is the same Dolzhanka, from which water extreme sports of all stripes trudge. Tourists with children echo them - the local sand is too good. Even further south - Primorsko-Akhtarsk, another beach area for those who like to spend their holidays actively, with windsurfers at the ready. The village Golubitskaya completes the resort area on the side of the Krasnodar Territory: the abode of sand, therapeutic mud and paragliders. To the west, across the narrow Kerch Strait - Crimea. Here tourists are waiting for the old Kerch, the main dance class of the country Kazantip, as well as a scattering of small and cozy resorts.

On the part of Ukraine, the main wealth of the Sea of ​​​​Azov is the popular Berdyansk health resort and several braids that go far into the sea, natural reserves and simply very beautiful places.

Transport

The main transport in the resort is wheeled. Despite a well-developed network railways, it is intercity buses and minibuses that are more convenient and popular to get from one resort to another. As a rule, tourists, having reached Yeysk, Rostov-on-Don or Krasnodar, transfer to buses, which take them to places of rest. The average fare for short distances is 40-70 RUB, if you need to travel 100-150 km, then the ticket price increases to 400-500 RUB and more.

Resorts usually don't public transport, except for taxis (and, with rare exceptions, minibuses) - simply not. The minimum cost of a taxi ride is 50 RUB, on minibuses - from 25 RUB.

Beaches

The Sea of ​​Azov is the smallest in the world, and, therefore, the warmest. You can comfortably swim here already from mid-May, the season ends at the end of September, or even earlier - the sea cools down too quickly. Almost on the entire coast - fine shell sand, the entrance to the water is gentle, and the depth increases gradually (sometimes, even too gradually). Therefore, the beaches of the Sea of ​​Azov are so loved by families with children - a warm and shallow paddling pool saves parents from close attention to bathing kids. Another "trick" of the local coast is the abundance of secluded and wild areas, which is especially appreciated among fishermen or fans of spending holidays in peace and quiet. For such places, you should go to Achuevskaya, Kamyshevatskaya, or Long Spit. Well, for those who cannot imagine a vacation without beaches that are comfortable and equipped with all sorts of benefits of civilization, there is a direct path to Yeysk or Taman.

The Sea of ​​Azov has two more specializations that are worth mentioning. Firstly, all kinds of healing mud and estuaries, for example, in the area of ​​​​the village of Golubitskaya. And secondly, a developed infrastructure for water extreme sports - kite and windsurfers, especially in the area of ​​Dolzhanka and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

The beaches are mostly municipal, that is, free, with the exception of very rare areas assigned to certain hotels. Renting a deck chair on average costs from 150 to 250 RUB per day, depending on the popularity of the village.

Treatment

Due to the dry hot climate, extensive sandy beaches and good warming of the Sea of ​​Azov, holidays here are ideal for children, so there are many sanatoriums and health camps on its coast.

Sanatorium institutions of Berdyansk, Yeysk, Kerch, Taganrog and other cities and villages offer medical and health programs based on the use of local healing mud. Salt Lake Sivash and smaller lakes of varying degrees of salinity and mineral composition water can have a life-giving effect on a variety of diseases. The natural mineral springs of the region are its recognized wealth and have long been known to specialists in balneology for their remarkable properties. It has been established that the water itself in the Sea of ​​Azov is healing. Due to its small depth, natural mixing of water occurs in its entire thickness, therefore particles of silt, saturated with minerals important for human health, are constantly in the upper layers.

An important factor in the treatment of allergic diseases is dry air, saturated with phytoncides of steppe plants.

Diving

The Sea of ​​Azov is not the best spot for divers, despite its depth (very, very small) and good temperature(it's hard to freeze here). But this reservoir has one terrible property for diving - disgusting visibility. Therefore, it is customary to dive into the sea early, early in the morning, when it was barely dawn and until the daytime breeze turned over all the turbidity at the bottom. Then there is a chance to see at a depth of 5-6 m a lot of the remains of ships from the Second World War. Alas, most of them are heavily covered with mud or have changed almost beyond recognition, which does not detract from the value and fantasticness of the picture they saw - combat vehicles sleepily immersed in the abyss of water, finding their eternal refuge at the bottom of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov.

Diving is offered far from everywhere, but only in more or less developed resort villages where constant strong winds do not blow. For example, in Kuchugury or Yeysk.

Sea of ​​Azov Hotels

On the coast of the Sea of ​​​​Azov, there are many hotels, boarding houses, guest houses offering accommodation different type, for different money and with varying degrees of comfort. The only thing that is the same is that guests are always welcome here, if only because the resort business brings local residents considerable income.

It can be seen with the naked eye that, in general, the prices for living on the Sea of ​​Azov are lower than in the Crimea or in the Krasnodar Territory, and 30 percent lower. Another feature is the abundance of offers from the private sector. Of course, houses and apartments are rented all over the world. Black Sea coast, but, perhaps, it is in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe Azov coast that there are a lot of such options.

A room in a 2-3 * hotel in the season can be found from 1400 RUB, apartments will cost about the same amount, but it will not be one room with a bed, but a whole apartment, it happens that it is not a one-room apartment.

What to bring

The set of souvenirs is obscenely standard - shells and crafts made from them, all kinds of boats and figurines of a marine theme, postcards, magnets, plates, juniper products, products of local distilleries and wineries (of course, very good, especially in the Taman region). The local fish stands apart - smoked, dried and simply delicious.

The best photos of the Sea of ​​Azov

Entertainment and attractions

Exceptionally well located in the very center of Byzantine and medieval life, the Sea of ​​Azov boasts a lot of worthy sights. Just think about it: on the one hand, it washes the Crimean peninsula, about the palaces, monasteries and parks of which only the lazy have not heard. On the other hand, Taman is a marvelous land full of ancient ruins and mud volcanoes. Only an encyclopedia could fully describe the sights of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov, therefore we will briefly go over only the main places.

The main museum collections of the region are kept by Taganrog, Rostov-on-Don and Azov. Perhaps only Krasnodar or Yalta can compete with these cities in terms of expositions, but that's a completely different story. Taganrog, first of all, attracts attention with its museum collections dedicated to Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. Azov - military history, but the status obliges the museums of Rostov-on-Don to be one of the leading ones in the region.

Something "older" can be found in Taman, more precisely - in the ruins of Phanagoria, already several millennia old. Immediately, in the neighborhood, there are a lot of natural attractions: the Tizdar mud volcano, and the no less mud lake in Golubitskaya, and the famous Lotus Valley, and the Taman Switzerland protected area.

Tired of the idyll of pastoral landscapes, you can have a good break in local water parks, dolphinariums or kite stations. The Sea of ​​Azov, despite its family status, is considered one of the most extreme. The right winds blow here, allowing you to quickly get on the surf and catch a good wave - moderately fast and moderately calm.

Sea of ​​Azov for children

Amazing beaches, well, very warm water and shallow depth - already enough reason to take the children to the Sea of ​​Azov. Well, if the guys get tired of the monotony of swimming in the sea (hard to believe), you can take them to the water park: "Nemo" in Yeysk, "Azure" in Taganrog, "Cape of Good Hope" near Berdyansk, "Treasure Island" in Kirillovka, "Amazons" in Golubitskaya. Will it be too little? In the same Yeysk, Berdyansk, Kirillovka and Golubitskaya, there are also their own dolphinariums - with colorful performances from fur seals and dolphins.

In addition, it is worth taking the whole family on a river trip towards the Lotus Valley or visiting the village of Ataman, where the life of the Cossacks is recreated. And in the ethnographic complex "Circassian aul" whole theatrical shows with horses, dances and national dishes are held.

Weather on the Sea of ​​Azov

The climate in most of the cities of the Sea of ​​Azov is temperate continental, with mild winters and hot summers. Spring comes early, autumn lasts a long time, and winters tend to have little snow. Due to the shallow depth of the sea, almost its entire surface is covered with ice in winter, but, again, this is highly dependent on temperature. But in summer, it is the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov that is the warmest, in some years the water warmed up to fantastic +32 ° C, although normal temperature at the height of the season it is considered +24 ... +26 °С for a reservoir off the coast.

The Sea of ​​Azov is a truly unique gift of nature, which we must appreciate. It is unique in its appearance, depth, size, composition of the animal and flora and plays very Important role in the ecosystem of the region.

short historical reference. In ancient times, the Sea of ​​Azov did not exist! full flowing river The Don flowed into the ancient Black Sea (approximately in the area of ​​the modern Kerch Strait).

There is a theory that around 5600 BC there was a very strong rise in the water level of the Black Sea, which was caused by a major earthquake. (Perhaps it was this event that gave rise to the legends of the Flood).

Sea of ​​Azov - Origin of the name. This area has always been at the crossroads of the historical paths of different peoples and, therefore, has managed to change a large number of names. The ancient Greeks living on these shores affectionately called him Meotida (Nurse - translated from Greek). The ancient Romans jokingly called it for its shallow water - Palus Maeotis (Meotian swamp). The Scythians called it - Kargulak (Sea rich in fish). The Meotian tribes called him - Temerinda (meaning the Mother of the Sea). The Turks called it Barh el-Assak (Dark Blue Sea). The Horde conquerors called it - Balyk-dengiz (Fish Sea).

The main theory of the origin of the original name - Azov came from the Turkic adjective "azak" (meaning the mouth of the river, a low place). Subsequently, the word "Azak" was transformed into the modern one - Azov.

The Sea of ​​Azov is inland sea in the eastern part of Europe. By its distance from the world ocean, the Sea of ​​Azov is considered a continental sea. The Sea of ​​Azov is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through a very long chain of seas and straits. (Black Sea, Sea of ​​Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea).
On the world map, it is "indicated by a small blue speck" and is the shallowest sea in the world. The greatest depth of the Sea of ​​Azov does not exceed thirteen and a half meters, and the average depth is not more than seven meters. Such rivers as Don, Kuban, Mius, Berda, etc. flow into it.

Scientists attribute the Sea of ​​Azov to the so-called "flat seas", shallow water bodies with low shores, the bottom is replete with sand and shell deposits. The coast of the sea is mostly sandy and only in the southern part there are sometimes small hills of volcanic origin. The coast of the Sea of ​​Azov is indented with bays. The coastline is a popular resort and recreational area, there are also nature reserves and National parks. An excellent example of a protected area are - Priazovsky national park and Spit Biryuchy Island.

Sand and shell spits have advanced into the open sea for many kilometers and are a real decoration. Azov coast. The most famous spits of the Sea of ​​Azov: Berdyansk Spit, Fedotova Spit, Spit Peresyp, Stepanovskaya Spit, Obitochnaya, Curve, Long, Belosaraiskaya. It is here that sanatoriums, boarding houses and popular recreation centers are located.

Temperature regime of the Sea of ​​Azov.

The water temperature of the Sea of ​​Azov is variable, which is quite normal for shallow waters. The minimum temperature is usually fixed at the end of January or February and is close to the freezing point. Only near the Kerch Strait is the water temperature in the Sea of ​​Azov on the surface always positive. Average annual temperature on the surface about +11 degrees Celsius.

In summer, a fairly uniform temperature is established on the surface of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov. The warmest water is in July and reaches +28 ... +28.5 degrees Celsius. In the period from March to August, the water temperature drops from the surface to the bottom by about 1 degree. The temperature distribution may change after the first big storm.

Salinity of the Sea of ​​Azov

Due to the difficult water exchange with the Black Sea and the abundant inflow of fresh river water (up to 12% of the volume of water), the salinity of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is not uniform. The salinity of the water in the northern part in the area of ​​the Taganrog Bay and the salinity of the water in the area of ​​the Kerch Strait may differ by several ppm. The average salinity is kept at 11% and seasonal fluctuations in the salinity of the Sea of ​​Azov usually do not exceed 1%.

In winter, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov freezes quite easily due to the lower salinity of the water in the northern part of the water area from December to March. The southern part freezes quite rarely, and the ice is carried into the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait.
The ionic composition of water is quite different from the salt composition of the ocean and has a different set of sodium and chloride ions. At the same time, there is an increased content of carbonates, sulfates and calcium.

Water transparency in the Sea of ​​Azov

It should be noted that the water transparency of the Sea of ​​Azov is rather low. Moreover, water transparency is uneven at different times of the year and ranges from 0.5 to 8 meters. The color of the water in the Sea of ​​Azov can also vary from greenish-blue to yellowish.

To uninitiated people, it may even seem quite “dirty”. Actually it is not. Transparency is affected by the abundant flow of river waters, the presence of sea ​​water plankton and rapid resuspension of bottom silt during storm winds. Late autumn and winter time The water of the Sea of ​​Azov is more turbid. IN Summer period transparency improves significantly, except during the "sea bloom" period, when many plant microorganisms develop in the upper layers of the water. Best time for recreation on the Sea of ​​Azov June, July and early August.

The relief of the bottom of the Sea of ​​Azov.

The bottom of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov has a fairly uniform relief. The bottom depth increases smoothly, there are practically no holes and significant differences in depth. Moreover, near the shore, small “splash pools” are often washed up in which children love to frolic. This is not surprising, there is usually a shallow depth and even warmer water. It is this feature that parents who have small children really like. Indeed, on the one hand, you can not be afraid that the kids will go too deep, and on the other hand, a comfortable depth for swimming adults begins after 15-20 meters from the shore. In the northern part of the water area there is shallow water (20 kilometers with depths of no more than 6 meters). Max Depth Sea of ​​Azov 13.5 meters.

Ecology of the Sea of ​​Azov.

Ecologists record quite severe pollution of coastal waters near large industrial cities on the coast. So, the most polluted area of ​​the Sea of ​​Azov is the area in the area of ​​Taganrog and Mariupol. At the same time, the section from Berdyansk to Genichesk is environmentally friendly, since it does not have large settlements And industrial enterprises. Sea water should not be drunk (during bathing) or used to gargle for small children. This can cause intestinal upset and fever.

The true pearl of the coast of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is, which has an exclusively recreational and resort direction and access to the Milk Estuary. On the other side of the Milky Liman, the Priazovsky National Park begins and is located small village – .

Currents in the Sea of ​​Azov.

The currents are often affected by blowing winds and the direction of the currents change quite often. The south-east and north-east winds have the strongest attention. Most often, a circular current is recorded along the coast of the sea (counterclockwise).

Flora and Fauna of the Sea of ​​Azov

It is difficult to find a more diverse inland sea in the world in terms of the number of animal and plant organisms. In terms of productivity, the Sea of ​​Azov is 160 times greater than the Mediterranean Sea, forty times greater than the Black Sea and six times greater than the Caspian Sea. This is really an amazing property, considering that the area of ​​the Black Sea exceeds the area of ​​the Sea of ​​Azov ten times!

Phytoplankton and benthos abound in the waters of the Sea of ​​Azov. Mollusks occupy a dominant place and their remains just form the bottom sediment.
The ichthyofauna is represented by 103 species of fish (both marine and freshwater). Anadromous species of fish are in the sea until puberty, and only for spawning enters rivers or estuaries. The breeding period in most cases does not exceed 2 months. Among migratory fish in the Sea of ​​Azov, the following are most valued: Beluga, Sturgeon, Severyuga, Herring.

Semi-anadromous fish species enter rivers to breed, but they can remain there much longer than anadromous fish species. Sometimes they can stay in the rivers for up to one year, and the young in most cases remain in the rivers for the winter period. The most popular semi-anadromous fish species in the Sea of ​​Azov are Taran, Pike perch, Bream, Chekhon.

goby

Marine fish species (permanently remaining in sea water) are divided into those permanently living in the Sea of ​​Azov and entering from the Black Sea. We refer to the permanently living species of fish: All types of gobies, pelengas, flounder, kalkan, tyulka, needle fish, gloss. To the group of fish entering the Sea of ​​Azov, we include: Azov and Black Sea anchovy, Black Sea herring, red mullet, striped mullet, Black Sea kalkan, mackerel, horse mackerel, sharp nose, etc.