What is the difference between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea? The differences between them are cardinal. It is easier to say what is the similarity of these reservoirs. Perhaps only in one: the Azov and Black Seas, connected by the Kerch Strait, form a single Black Sea-Azov basin, which in turn is the inland basin of the Atlantic Ocean.
Geographical position
The Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov had quite a few names, the most famous are - Blue ocean And Russian sea. The current name - Azov comes from the city of Azov, located on the east coast. The reservoir is located in the northeastern part of the Black Sea region.
Due to the fact that only a small Kerch Peninsula separates it from the Black Sea, some scientists tend to consider the Sea of Azov a kind of Black Sea bay, its area is 37600 km2. The largest dimensions in length and width are 343x231 km, respectively.
This sea is the shallowest in the world. On average, the depth fluctuates at the level 5-7 meters, the maximum depths do not exceed 15 meters. This is the reason for the extremely small volume of water - about 256 km3. The sea has 16 bays and estuaries, among them the largest are Taganrog- in the eastern part and Sivash Bay - in the western part. A characteristic feature of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov is a rather large number of coastal spits. There are no islands, only shoals. Only two countries are washed by the waters of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov - Russia and Ukraine.
Maritime boundaries have not yet been defined. The sea is entirely located in the steppe zone, on a flat area. Volcanic rocks on the shores of the Sea of Azov do not come to the surface, which is why the coast is muddy or sandy for almost its entire length. There are small limestone outcrops on the coast of the Taman and Kerch Peninsulas. River flow is formed by two large rivers - the Don and Kuban, as well as many small rivers.
The Black Sea is larger than the Sea of Azov by about 11 times, it is called Black because of the high content of hydrogen sulfide at a depth of more than 120 meters. Metal objects falling to this depth turn black. The Crimean Peninsula is located in the northern part of the sea, and, which is part of the Crimean, the Kerch Peninsula. The area of the water surface is 422000 km2.
Length from west to east 1130 km, from North to South - 600 km. This body of water is one of the deepest in the oceans. The average depth is 1270 m, the maximum reaches 2245 m, volume - 547000 km3. There are more than 40 bays in the sea. The largest bays are Tamansky, Sinopsky, Odessa, Karkinitsky and Kalanitsky. There is only one relatively large island in the sea - Serpentine. The Black Sea washes the coasts of 6 states.
In the northwestern part - this is mainly the coast of Ukraine and Romania, the sea has gently sloping shores and sandy beaches. The shores are composed of sedimentary rocks. The western coast, washing Bulgaria, along with gently sloping shores, also has rocky areas, which is due to the Balkan Mountains. The Turkish coast in the south is almost entirely rocky, as it is supported by the Pontic Mountains. The Caucasus Range is located on the southeastern and eastern coast, which is why the coast here is also rocky. The river runoff is formed by the Danube, the Southern Bug and the Dnieper. In addition, there are a large number of small rivers.
In the southwestern part, the sea is connected through the Bosphorus to the Sea of Marmara. This strait passes through the territory of Turkey.
Salinity
Due to the small volume of the Sea of Azov, the composition of its water largely depends on the river runoff. In essence, the water of the Sea of Azov is the Black Sea water mixed with the water of the inflowing rivers. On average, salinity is low - in the central part, about 13 ppm. In the Taganrog Bay, the water is absolutely fresh, since the Don flows into this bay, in addition, the Taganrog Bay is located at a considerable distance from the Black Sea. As we approach the Kerch Strait, salinity increases, reaching 17 ppm.
The Black Sea is characterized by a higher level of salt content - 18 ppm on the surface and 22 ppm at a depth of more than 500 meters, but still, in comparison with other water bodies of the world's oceans, the level of salt content in the Black Sea is low. The composition of the water is influenced by the Sea of Marmara, but since the salinity of the Sea of \u200b\u200bMarmara is higher, its waters are heavier and go deeper.
fish stocks
The fishing value of the Sea of Azov is incredibly high. Until the 50s of the 20th century, in terms of the presence of fish stocks, it was the most productive body of water in the world. The Azov sturgeon and sterlet were unique in taste, but the hydro-construction in the Don and Kuban that unfolded in the 50s had a detrimental effect on the reproduction of fish. The presence of dams has blocked access to spawning grounds, in addition, poaching is causing terrible damage to fish stocks.
However, the water world of the Sea of Azov contains about 80 kinds of fish These are both marine and freshwater fish. Today, the annual production is about 30,000 tons.
The Black Sea is characterized by rather small fish stocks. Salt water is unsuitable for freshwater fish. As for marine fish, the situation is reversed here - marine fish do not tolerate a rather low salt content in the Black Sea water. In addition, due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide, at a depth of more than 100 meters there is no fauna at all. More than 180 species of fish have been recorded in the Black Sea, but no more than 30 of them are commercial. Unlike the Sea of Azov, mammals live in the Black Sea - 3 species of dolphins. In addition to fish, mussels, as well as algae, are of commercial importance.
Ports and resort areas
The Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov does not have convenient bays necessary for navigation, but its main drawback is shallow water. Azov ports are located in the cities of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Taganrog, Rostov-on-Don, Yeysk, Temryuk. For the above reasons, large ocean-going ships cannot call at the ports of the Sea of Azov - this is the reason for the low turnover of ports and their poor development.
The popularity of the resorts of the Sea of Azov is also low. The reasons are the opacity of water, the monotony of the coastal landscape. Hence the poor development of resort infrastructure.
Due to the deep waters, the ports of the Black Sea are characterized by a large cargo turnover. The Black Sea coast of all countries has 43 ports. The largest ports are Novorossiysk, Odessa, Constanta, Varna, Trabzon, Batumi.
The mild climate, the beauty of nature and clear sea water make the Black Sea resorts very popular. The infrastructure of the resorts is relatively developed, which attracts a significant number of tourists.
We solve many problems for ourselves, where it is warm, comfortable and relatively inexpensive, entertainment, food, travel, visa. But sometimes we forget about the most important thing, which of the seas is the most useful for us.
It has long been proven that sea water is good for the body because it is very similar in composition to human blood plasma. Useful substances dissolved in water easily enter the body through the pores of the skin, and then through the walls of the vessels into the blood. Sea water enriches our body with active minerals contained in it, which activate cell regeneration, which means it has a rejuvenating effect. At the same time, magnesium contained in sea water improves immunity, calcium strengthens bones, iodine normalizes metabolism, potassium normalizes blood pressure, and bromine calms nerves.
That is why most people instinctively strive, and in winter to countries where there is a warm sea and it is always warm. Doctors and scientists believe that the most useful sea is a unique medicine in itself, which not only allows our body to relax, but also brings our entire body back to its original form at the molecular level.
But which of the seas is the most useful and where you should go to, at the same time, relax and heal.
Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is the most beneficial sea for children.
Of course, the most useful of the seas on our planet - the Dead Sea. Swimming in it, according to our Russian concepts (from dawn to dusk), is impossible, but small baths, especially in the morning, are undoubtedly useful. The Dead Sea has long been famous for the large amount of salts dissolved in its waters and. There are 21 minerals dissolved in the water of the Dead Sea, while 12 of them are not found in any of the seas in the world.
By the way - the Dead Sea is called dead, because not only fish, but microorganisms do not live in it. There are no industrial enterprises on the coast of the Dead Sea, therefore The Dead Sea is one of the cleanest in the world.
In summer, on the coast of the dead it reaches 40 degrees, but due to the constant evaporation of bromine, you will not notice it. Bromine vapors protect your skin from the unhealthy effects of ultraviolet radiation, so on the beaches of the Dead Sea you will not see a single burnt one - the tan will always be even and beautiful. That is why the Dead Sea will be the most useful for those who want to get an even, beautiful tan, and not burn out in the sun on the first day at sea.
Take note of Snow White!
The Dead Sea is valued not only for even and beautiful tan , it remarkably cures various skin diseases, such as skin eczema, psoriasis, chronic dermatitis, neurodermatitis. It is also useful to visit the Dead Sea for those suffering from diseases of the respiratory system - pharyngitis, chronic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, sinusitis and joint diseases (arthritis, arthrosis).
But the main benefit of the Dead Sea is that it treats the main disease of all business people - chronic fatigue, and in this it has no equal. Of course, there are also contraindications - oncological diseases and an allergy to iodine.
Sunset over the red sea
The Red Sea is in second place in terms of its healing effectiveness after the Dead Sea, therefore it is considered second best for the health of the body. The sea is very warm, and unlike the Dead Sea, where you can’t stay in the water for a long time, and even more so, the Red Sea is simply a paradise for those who like to swim and dive. This largely determines its effectiveness and usefulness.
And the Red Sea is the second in terms of the content of useful salts in it, the sea is replete with coral reefs, they are an additional source of useful mineral salts. To those who suffer cardiovascular and respiratory diseases The Red Sea is useful in spring and also in the velvet season. However, it is possible to treat a respiratory disease in the summer and even more effectively due to natural evaporation in the air, just do not forget that in the heat (noon) on the Red Sea, like on any other, you can’t be. Some species are successfully treated in the Red Sea female and male infertility , especially caused by the consequences of infectious diseases suffered in childhood or adolescence.
Black, Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic seas.
These seas have almost the same composition of salts and naturally the same healing effect , at the same time, the absence of pressure drops and moderate humidity is very suitable for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases and hypertensive patients.
Conifers forests in mediterranean resorts form a unique composition of the air, serve as an excellent prevention of bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis, as well as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
The Mediterranean climate is suitable for patients with disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems. The air of the Mediterranean simply charges the body of vacationers with ions, phytoncides, and the water with mineral salts.
According to domestic doctors, the most useful of the seas, it is in it that the composition of water corresponds to the microelement composition of human blood.
Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Sea got fourth place in the ranking "usefulness" of the seas for the improvement of the human body. However, this sea also has its undeniable advantages. and the lack of heat, as well as the gentle sun, make it the most useful vacation spot for children and adults from the northern latitudes, as well as those with a weakened body that can hardly tolerate acclimatization. passes unnoticed, and the abundance of coniferous forests with their wonderful healing air are useful for people with thyroid and respiratory diseases . Even the fact that the sea has rather cool water, which warms up to only 20 degrees, works to improve the body, speeds up metabolic processes and tones blood vessels, and there is an opinion that only the Baltic Sea promotes weight loss.
Deciding to spend a vacation at sea, you need to take care of your health, so choose the most useful of the seas for relaxation and treatment, even if you do not suffer from any illnesses and diseases.
Interesting facts about the Black Sea,.
Holidays on the Black and Azov Seas are popular among Russians and Ukrainians. Leisure on cozy beaches is available to almost every working person. There are a large number of resorts and recreation centers on the shores of the Black and Azov Seas.
In most cases, when organizing a vacation on the Black Sea, people choose Anapa, Tuapse, Gelendzhik, Sochi and Crimea. Salt water and clean, well-groomed beaches attract many tourists from all over the world. You can relax on the Sea of Azov in Yeysk, Berdyansk, Taganrog, Novoazovsk, Urzuf and Yalta.
The general availability of a beach holiday puts a person in front of a choice, and in order to make it, you need to decide what is more useful for the Black or Azov Sea. After all, vacation does not happen so often and I would not want to spend it on meaningless weekdays.
Black and Azov Sea. Differences
- The coast of the Black Sea is mostly pebbly and rocky, and it is quite difficult to find a comfortable sandy beach here. On the Sea of Azov, you can relax on the "golden" sands. In the main coast of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov, white-golden color due to small pieces of shells. It is most comfortable for children and adults to relax on the beaches of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov.
- The water in the Black Sea is blue and very clear. In Azov, it is greenish, and this is especially noticeable in shallow water or after small storms. The water in the Black Sea is much clearer than in the Sea of Azov.
- The biggest advantage of the Sea of Azov is therapeutic mud, which is not found in the Black Sea. It is for them that tourists from all over the world come to the sea.
- The Sea of Azov is considered the smallest in the world. Its average depth is about 7.5 meters. However, finding such a depth will be problematic - mostly shallow water. This has its advantages - it is comfortable to relax with children and, if necessary, you can learn to swim yourself. The Black Sea is quite deep and various water sports are common here.
- The Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov warms up much faster than the Black Sea and this is due to its shallow depth. The beach season starts much earlier than on the Black Sea. Here you can comfortably relax in early June.
- On the Black Sea, it is enough to find a secluded place - there are a lot of vacationers. They occupy almost the entire coast. Quite noisy and host active sporting events. There is no such turmoil in the Sea of Azov.
- The Sea of Azov has fresh-salt water. Black is salty. Tourists who want to improve their health with the help of salty sea water choose the Black Sea.
- The Black Sea never freezes, and the Sea of Azov is covered with a thick layer of ice in winter.
When choosing the Black or Azov Sea, the priority should be given to safety in the first place. For families with children, it is best to choose the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov. Shallow water, attractions and a calm atmosphere will have a positive effect on the body.
If you like noisy companies, water sports, and you also need a sufficiently large depth, choose the Black Sea. There are quite comfortable, equipped beaches and a very large number of entertainment for young people and adults.
As my vacation approached, the question arose of which sea to go to. Of the means available to me, there were the Mediterranean and the Black. I decided that the best way to find out was to visit the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. During the first vacation, I went to the Black Sea, to, and a year later - to the Mediterranean, to Turkey.
Black Sea
Arriving on the Black Sea coast, I found a disappointing picture:
- Underdeveloped recreational base of the entire resort: insufficient, in my opinion, the number of hotels, a meager number of cultural monuments that can be visited, a large number of dirty, uncomfortable beaches, a shortage of shopping and entertainment complexes.
- The state of the water is also a concern.: a high level of hydrogen sulfide, as a result of which the marine fauna is scarce, namely, it purifies the water from harmful substances. Also, a huge amount of wastewater from large rivers of Eastern Europe is discharged into the sea. It is advisable to swim in the sea when the water temperature has not risen above +21, because as soon as the water becomes warmer, microflora begins to multiply, which can cause infectious diseases. It should be noted that this problem is acute not only in Russia, but also in other Black Sea states.
- Lack of government oversight for enterprises that do not always comply with environmental regulations.
- Unreasonably high price for vacation in the Krasnodar Territory, this applies to both the price of the tour and the prices in the zone itself for entertainment, food, accommodation and transportation.
Of the positive points worth noting a large number of sanatoriums with therapeutic mud where you can improve your health privileges for state employees vacationing on the Russian Black Sea coast. But the overall picture is depressing: the sea is almost impossible to restore due to economic, physical and anthropogenic reasons.
Mediterranean Sea
When I got to Turkey, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the seas, and the quality of the provided services local hoteliers:
- Sea and air temperature it becomes comfortable for swimming already in April and the season lasts until November.
- Lack of heavy industry on the coast And great depth have a positive effect on water quality. However, this is not applicable to all Mediterranean countries: , and emit ¾ of all pollution entering the Mediterranean Sea.
- Wide range of hotels from economy class to luxury class will give you the space to choose.
- A large number of excursions on archaeological and natural monuments.
- Lots of malls, markets and oriental bazaars will become a paradise for a shopaholic.
- Relatively affordable price for tours.
Of the minuses, I would note Eastern trade culture: possible and necessary bargain until the end, otherwise you can get caught buying some trinket 5 times more expensive than it can cost in a nearby store, as was the case in my case when I bought glasses for $ 20, although, as it turned out, they cost 5 dollars. :)
Which sea is better
Summarizing all of the above, I can confidently say that the mediterranean is better in all respects, and the huge flow of tourists from Russia to the beaches of the Mediterranean is a vivid proof of this. Personally for myself, I decided that I would give preference to the Mediterranean coast, rather than the Black Sea.
When it comes to the upcoming vacation, usually everyone prefers to spend it on the coast. But it becomes quite difficult to decide whether to prefer the Azov or the Black Sea. The fact is that both seas have their own advantages and disadvantages, which should be discussed in advance so as not to get into a mess at the time of arrival at a particular resort. This is especially important when it comes to traveling with children.
Features of the Black Sea
The ancient Black Sea was once formed on the site of a freshwater lake and is part of the system of water bodies of the Atlantic Ocean. It is quite deep, the maximum depths reach more than two thousand meters. But there is no life in it deeper than 200 meters, since a hydrogen sulfide layer lies there.
Several large rivers flow into the Black Sea. And with other bodies of water, for example, with the Mediterranean Sea, it is connected by the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. Therefore, the water level is constantly regulated and floods do not threaten the Black Sea coast. Storms and storms are not uncommon here, but such a terrible phenomenon as a tsunami does not occur here. However, there are earthquakes. Basically, these are echoes provoked by faults in the Carpathian region and in Turkey, but there are tremors at the bottom of the sea itself.
The Black Sea is warm near the coasts, quite clean and very favorable for tourism and recreation. The entire Black Sea coast, regardless of which country it belongs to, is a continuous alternation of resorts and large or small ports.
Off the coast of the Crimea and the Caucasus, the Black Sea is especially clean, and the combination of a wonderful climate, warm water and magnificent rich nature has made these places inhabited since ancient times. Nowadays, the sites of the most ancient settlements have become large cities, most of which combine the functions of ports and resorts. They can offer tourists a developed infrastructure, a long-established service sector, many interesting historical and natural monuments, a wonderful warm climate and constant access to the sea.
Features of the Sea of Azov
The modern Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov in ancient times was part of the land, which is mainly due to the flat local relief and shallow water. It reaches a maximum depth of 13.5 meters, has gentle banks, mainly consisting of shell rock and stones.
Due to the active influx of fresh water and the difficulty of communicating with the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov has a lower salinity, so it often freezes during the cold winter months. Due to the shallow water in the hot summer months, the water here can become very hot, and during periods of drought, a massive "bloom" of algae is possible, which makes the sea unsuitable for swimming. In addition, the shores of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov are low and swampy, so the water is not transparent and muddy, especially in the Taganrog Bay and in Sivash. Due to the abundance of nutrients in the sea, there are many inhabitants. Many fish breed and grow here, including those that continue their adult life already in the clear waters of the Black Sea.
Another factor that allows us to argue that the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov is dirty is the large concentration of industrial giants on its shores. Taganrog, Mariupol, Berdyansk, Kerch and many other cities emit a lot of pollutants into the air, and their large ports also do not contribute to the cleanliness of the coasts and waters.
Comparison of the Azov and Black Seas
A comparison of which sea is better - the Black or Azov, will not be entirely correct, since both seas are good both for recreation and as powerful transport routes. Of course, for the local population, “their own” sea will always be loved and the best in the world. Comparing which sea is cleaner - the Azov or the Black, one can unequivocally come to the conclusion that the Black Sea wins here. Firstly, it is larger, it has more self-cleaning capabilities. It is deep and has a "dead" hydrogen sulfide layer at the bottom, which prevents "blooming". Although in especially hot and dry years, this phenomenon can also occur along some shallow coasts. In addition, there are many more strong currents in the Black Sea that "mix" the waters and prevent them from stagnating. The Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov is shallow, there are no strong temperature differences here. Therefore, there is no active mixing of water, which leads to stagnation of water. Even despite the strong winds characteristic of this region, the waters of the Sea of Azov are not distinguished by strong and powerful currents, at least along the coasts and in the center of the reservoir.
But the question of which sea is warmer - the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov - can be answered unambiguously. In this nomination, the Sea of Azov wins, as it is shallower, therefore warming up more strongly in the summer heat.
The main differences between the two seas
You can make a detailed comparison and try to find 10 differences between the Black and Azov Seas:
1. Depth. Here the Black Sea is in the lead.
2. Area. And here Pont Euxinus won.
3. Water circulation. Due to the size and presence of the underwater Black Sea river, the water in the Black Sea is updated better than in the Sea of Azov.
4. Bottom relief. Azov is flat, while Black can have a depth of 2000 meters or more.
5. Climate. On the shores of the Black Sea, it is more diverse, while the Azov coast suffers from strong winds.
6. Flora. It is difficult to compare, since the Black Sea coast is several times longer in length and includes several climatic zones.
7. Fauna. The same as in the previous paragraph.
8. Ecology. The ecology of the Sea of Azov is catastrophic, that of the Black Sea is bad, but this mainly concerns the coast near large cities. The small resorts of both seas boast both clean water and excellent conditions for recreation.
9. Economic importance. Here it is difficult for these two seas to compete, both are very important. But still, the Black Sea benefits from the number of ports and transport routes that connect them.
10. Historical monuments. Again, due to the size and antiquity of the Black Sea, its shores can boast a large number of various monuments from different historical eras and peoples.
In general, the Black Sea may be a better option for recreation, although in some cases the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov turns out to be a good choice.
Black Sea or Sea of Azov? Where to go on vacation, including with children
Choosing what is more suitable - the Azov or the Black Sea for a child, you need to take into account many different factors. For example, the distance from home to the sea - the further you go, the more difficult it is for the baby. In this case, it is worth choosing the coast of the North Caucasus, especially in the place where the waters of the Azov and Black Seas converge. Taman will give many pleasant minutes, warm and clear sea and the opportunity to have a great rest, no worse than in large resorts.
If the purpose of the trip is to improve the health of the child, then it is worth stopping at the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea, because Anapa is a world-famous children's resort with many sanatoriums and entertainment, including a dolphinarium on the high seas.
For lovers of historical values and monuments, as well as the beauties of nature and outdoor activities, both the Crimea and the Caucasus are suitable. It has a wonderful climate, clean warm sea, maximum amenities for vacationers and a maximum of caring employees offering a variety of recreation, travel and holidays, as well as sea and mountain walks. Everywhere there are modern restaurants and cafes, including those with national cuisine. For kids, excellent aqua centers and various pools have been built.
Answering the question: "Azov or the Black Sea? Which is better for children?" we can say that here the choice largely depends on personal preferences, and modern developed infrastructure will make your vacation successful anywhere.
