Taganrog, Gulf of

the largest gulf in the northeastern part of the Sea of Azov. Separated from the rest of the sea by the Dolgaia and Belosaraiskaia spits, the Gulf of Taganrog is approximately 140 km long and is 31 km wide at the entrance. The average depth is about 5 m. The mostly high shores are steep in places. Numerous sand spits jut into the water, forming shallow inlets. The Peschanye Islands are located in the gulf. Among the rivers that empty into the gulf are the Don, Kal’mius, Mius, and Eia. The gulf freezes in December and opens up in March. The major ports are Zhdanov and Taganrog.