What is the shallowest sea in the world?

What is the shallowest sea in the world? The Sea of Azov is generally recognized as the world's shallowest sea, with an average depth of about 7 metres and a maximum near 14 metres.

This inland shelf sea lies between southern Ukraine and southwestern Russia and connects to the Black Sea through the narrow Strait of Kerch. The Don and Kuban rivers carry large amounts of sediment into it, gradually building sand spits, shallow bays and lagoons. In some coastal areas, the water is only around a metre deep.

Its shallowness affects nearly everything about the sea. River inflow keeps salinity relatively low, while abundant nutrients support substantial fish and plankton populations. The water also warms quickly in summer and can freeze during severe winters, especially in the northern sections.

The Sea of Azov is sometimes confused with the Baltic Sea or the Persian Gulf, both of which contain shallow areas. The distinction is that the Sea of Azov has the lowest overall depths among seas commonly recognized in geographic reference works. Its maximum depth can vary slightly between sources because sediment continually reshapes the seabed.