The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

THE SEA OF AZOV. 429the salt consumed in the empire. According to the demand the Governmentextracts from 100,000 to 400,000 tons yearly from the district.*The Sivash, whose contours are in other respects so irregular, is separated fromthe Sea of Azov hy a remarkably regular strip of land, named after the little portof Arabat, at its southern extremity. About 70 miles long, and varying in breadthfrom 1,800 to 5,800 yards, this singular formation is composed almost entirely ofsand, and, especially in the north, of argillaceous masses and calcareous rocks, whichFig. 22.3. Stkait of Yexi-Kaleh.Scale 1 : 500,000.E.ofRE.of CDepth to 13 Feet. 13 to 26 Feet. 26 Feet and upwards._____ 5 Miles.have served as supports for the sandy embankments disposed b) - the winds andcurrents along their line from shore to shore. The only break is at the northernextremity, where the " Putrid Sea " communicates at present through the Strait ofGenichesk with the Sea of Azov. Even this opening is widened or narrowed withthe direction of the winds and the quantity of sand brought with the current, either* Yield of the Crimean salines:— 1873, 386,741 tons; 1874, 242,228 tons; 1875, 94,878 tons ; 1876198,037 tons.)