Azov, Sea of, a body of water bordering Ukraine and Russia. It is a northern arm of the Black Sea, and is connected with it by the Strait of Kerch. Greatest dimensions are about 230 miles (370 km), east-west, and 120 miles (190 km), north-south. The sea's area is roughly 14,000 square miles (36,000 km2), nearly twice that of Lake Ontario. The sea narrows at its northeastern end to form the Gulf of Taganrog, a shallow, freshwater body of water with a maximum depth of 50 feet (15 m). The Don and Kuban are the chief rivers emptying into the sea. The chief ports are Rostov, Russia; and Mariupol, Ukraine.