The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are nearby. But, despite the geographical proximity, they are noticeably different. Their main difference, of course, is depth. Due to the difference in depths, they have different salinity water, flora and fauna noticeably differ, as well as uneven and bottom topography.
The nature of the Black and Azov Seas
More Black or Sea of Azov? The first is much deeper than the second. Its largest depth is 2210 meters. Along the Black Sea coast there are such countries as Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Georgia. The major passenger and cargo ports of the Black Sea are Kerch, Odessa, Sevastopol, Evpatoria, Illichivsk, Sochi, Trabzon, Samsun, Varna and others. It connects to the oceans through the Bosphorus, which overlooks the Sea of Marmara. This strait also divides two parts of the world - Europe and Asia. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have different salinity. In Azov, the water is less salty. In Black the bottom is rocky and embossed, and in Azovsky it is flat, sand or covered with silt.
On the coast of the Black and Azov Seas there are a lot of lakes, bays and estuaries, which are formed by river mouths. Famous lakes on the Black coast are Saki and Chokrak. In Saki there is healing mud, which contains a very large number of vitamins and amino acids. In Lake Chokrak there is also mud with great healing power, which is replenished with substances from mud volcanoes. In the Sea of Azov, the largest bay is Sivash, which means “mud”. The bottom of Sivash is covered with silt up to 5 meters thick, therefore this bay is also called a rotten pond. In different places of the bay, the salinity of the water differs by more than three times. This bay has a huge amount of salt reserves. They are used by industrial enterprises producing phosphate fertilizers and soda.
Kerch Strait
Connects the Black and Azov Strait. It is called Kerch, in honor of the eponymous city, one of the largest ports in the region. At the widest point of the strait, the coast is divided by fifteen kilometers. The Kerch Strait connects the Crimean and Taman Peninsulas.
Crimean peninsula
A common part of the land for the two seas is the Crimean peninsula. It has an ancient history. In Crimea, there are a lot of attractions both natural and man-made. Among its main natural relics are Mount Ayu-Dag (Bear Mountain), more than five hundred and seventy meters high, Nikitsky cleft, which is located among the cliffs of limestone covered with greenery, the Ai-Petri plateau with a “drunk” pine grove in which the trees bent randomly in different directions, as well as the Yalta Nature Reserve with unique mountain forests.
Sights of the resorts of Crimea
The main historical sights of Crimea is the archaeological reserve of Khersones. The city with this name existed on the Crimean peninsula for more than two thousand years. Also the Bakhchisaray Khan's Palace with a huge area exceeding four hectares, the Massandra Palace of Emperor Alexander III, Livadia Park. This is an incomplete list of everything that is in the Crimea and attracts a huge number of tourists. The main resort towns of the peninsula, such as Yalta, Alupka, Alushta, Yevpatoriya, Feodosiya, Sevastopol, are located on the southern coast of Crimea .
Great place to stay
The main thing that attracts tourists to the Black and Azov Seas is leisure. Bathing and fishing, and generally interesting time spent, which flies completely unnoticed. Along the coast there are many resorts that are located in different countries. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are united by the fact that storms sometimes rage on them. Huge waves roll on the coast, putting off bathing vacationers for an indefinite time. On Black, the height of the waves can reach 5 meters. On Azov they are a little smaller, but they raise silt from the bottom of the sea, creating adverse conditions for recreation. In order to adjust your vacation, you need to know in advance what the weather will be like. And this will help meteorological center. The Black and Azov seas are not in the list of the northern ones, therefore, despite the storm, a huge number of tourists still come here.
The healing properties of the seas
On the coast of the Sea of Azov there are a lot of sanatoriums and recreation centers, which belong to different enterprises and organizations. They use them for vacation and recreation of their employees. In places where there are therapeutic mud, there are dispensaries where you can undergo a course of treatment. Most resorts here are of local importance. The largest flow of tourists on the Azov coast occurs in the summer, in winter these resorts are mostly empty. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have excellent healing properties.
Black Sea Resorts
They belong to the resorts of world scale. They attract tourists from many countries of the world. Almost the entire coast, except the northernmost part, is in the subtropic zone. In this climate, you can relax comfortably all year round. A huge number of places to relax are located around the perimeter. The most popular resorts in Crimea are on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, in Bulgaria and in Turkey. What an unforgettable pleasure you can get while relaxing on the Cote d'Azur! This bathing, which perfectly relieves stress, sunbathing on the beach, as well as walks in picturesque places with many different exotic plants, including palm trees. After the end of the holiday season, velvet comes. During this period, the number of vacationers decreases slightly, less noise becomes, slightly lower than the price. This time can be perfectly spent for recreational purposes. Which is more pleasant for relaxation - the Black or Azov Sea? It will be better where the conditions for relaxation will meet the goals! And these goals are different for everyone.
If we talk about traveling on the coast in Russia, then such a trip will cost much more than a vacation on the Ukrainian or Abkhaz side. This is due to the difference in living standards. In addition, holidaymakers come to Sochi or Crimea even from abroad. And of course, pricing is designed for a foreign guest.
Among the main advantages of a vacation on the Black Sea is the beautiful surrounding nature. This provides unlimited opportunities for various kinds of excursions, extreme relaxation and just enjoying the fresh mountain air. As for the climatic conditions, they are practically ideal. The Black Sea climate is quite warm, a light flowing breeze along with the sun's rays does not burn the skin, but gives it gentle heat and a bronze tan.
Family holiday
When planning a vacation with children, it is better to go to the beaches of the Azov coast. Since the water temperature is significantly different. If it in the Black Sea fluctuates between 19-22 degrees, the temperature of Azov is an average of 25 degrees. This is due to the relatively shallow depth of the seabed. The difference in temperature conditions can be uncomfortable and dangerous for kids to stay in the water. As for the sanatoriums and recreation centers, there are innumerable numbers, and they are designed for the taste and budget of any tourist. Many of them are built according to European standards and meet all the requirements of five-star hotels. What can not be said about the boarding houses of the Sea of Azov , which are designed for a budget option. However, a small minus is their remoteness from the beaches. Although many vacationers regard this rather as an advantage.
In the Black Sea resorts, prices are quite high not only for housing, but also for entertainment, food, transportation. However, there is always an alternative, you do not need to choose the first option that comes across in order to protect yourself from unnecessary costs. For small children, the Black or Azov Sea is more suitable than, for example, the Mediterranean. This is due to the fact that you do not need to travel long distances.
Sanatoriums of the Sea of Azov
Rest in the Azov resorts is the best option for those who want to have a great time, gain strength and health, and at the same time save money. That's what most tourists think. The air, saturated with calcium and iodine, has amazing healing properties. Simply swimming in sea water is enough to protect the body from colds, cardiovascular diseases, and alleviate the symptoms of joint diseases.
Unlike the sanatoriums of the Black Sea, the sanatoriums of Azov are located in close proximity to beaches covered with sea sand and small shells. Despite the fact that the level of development of resorts and the infrastructure of the Azov coast is significantly inferior to the Black Sea, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Right on the beaches there are many attractions, slides, designed for both children and adults.
In addition, the bottom is most often sandy or silty. There is no danger of stumbling on huge stones, which is important for vacationers with children.