- The Kerch Strait, known to the Romans as the Cimmerianus Bosporus, is a narrow body of water connecting the Black Sea with the shallow Sea of Azov (Palus Maeotis).
- The Strait passes between the Ukrainian Peninsular of the Crimea to the west and the Russian Taman Peninsular to the east.
Description
- The Strait is 22 miles (35km) long and 2 miles (3km) wide. The Strait can ice over in winter and become blocked.
- It is the only outflow for the River Don and River Kuban that run into the Sea of Azov.
The Crimea
- The Romans called it the Cimmerianus Bosporus and it was controlled by the Roman Client Kingdom of Chersonesus Taurica (the Crimea).
- Grain fleets passed through the Strait to reach Athens and later, Rome.
Kerch Strait