Obitochny Gulf

Obitochny Gulf lies on the northern shore of the Sea of Azov, sheltered on its seaward side by the long Obitochna Spit. The Obitochna River flows into the gulf, while another bay lies beyond the spit to the east. These shallow coastal waters form part of a sea long known for its fisheries; winter ice could also interrupt navigation before icebreakers were available. In the wider early modern region, the northern Azov coast lay between the steppe and the Black Sea world. The gulf's sand spit and river mouth gave this coast its particular shape.