Black Sea

a large inland sea situated between Asia Minor and Russia. By the ancients it was called the Euxine. It is entered from the Mediterranean by way of the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmora, and the Bosporus. Its drainage basin is large. It receives the waters of about one-fourth of Europe and not less than 100,000 square miles in Asia. Considerable portions of the Russian shore are low and sandy, especially about the mouths of the European rivers, but the Asiatic coast, as well as the Crimea, is high and rocky. The greatest length is 750 miles. The sea is subject to violent storms. The northern shore is icebound in January and February. The Black Sea is 7,000 feet deep, and is unfavorable for fish, though sturgeon and other fish are taken near the mouths of the rivers. The Mediterranean tunny comes in to spawn. Dolphins and porpoises are numerous in the harbors. The waters of the Black Sea are open to the merchant ships of all nations, but warships are not allowed to pass the Bosporus. This rule was made by the great powers in order that the warships of Russia may not pass out and attack Constantinople. Odessa, famous for wheat, is the leading seaport. Caviare, fish glue, and oil are exported. Batoum is noted for exports of Baku petroleum. The American Standard Oil Company is interested. See Turkey; Constantinople; Crimea