Basics today - it's compact, comfortable, very green city, with the industrial zone, located outside the line of residential areas. In the old part of town preserved fortifications of the fortress of Azov XVIII - ramparts, moat, Alexis gate. Azov - one of the historic towns of protected cultural layer.
History
In I-III centuries. BC in place of Azov were settlements Meotians forming a fortified settlements around the ancient Greek settlement - Tanais. Even in ancient times it was conquered by Mithridates of Pontus, and then, in turn, they owned: Sarmatians, Huns, Khazars and Pechenegs. In X-XII centuries. in place of Azov was a Slavic settlement, which was part of the ancient Tmutarakan principality, and about 1067 it was conquered by the Kipchaks. In these places, was killed Polovtsian prince Azun (as suggested by the name of which was the Russian name "Azov"). In the XIII century. came here, the Azak (toponym Turkic "Azak" - the mouth of the river), through which "the great trade route." Then proceeded to Azov the Genoese, was fortified with stone walls and towers, and there was a reserve point for Indo-Chinese trade. In 1395, the city was destroyed by Tamerlane had mastered them, but in 1400 was rebuilt Azov the Genoese.
In the history of many bright pages. One of them is the famous siege of Azov seat (1637 - 1642 gg.), When in 1641 the fortified Cossack fortress with five thousand Cossacks 93 days and nights withstood the onslaught 250,000th Turkish troops. Turkey in May 1641 moved to Azov army led by Hussein Pasha, Delhi, to drive away the Cossacks. Turkish forces were enormous - more than two hundred thousand people with a hundred siege guns. With the Turks and the Crimean Khan was with his army. Azov Cossacks were a lot - fifteen thousand, but women were Cossack hundred and eight. Cossacks with desperate courage reflect the Turks.
Turks and Tatars suffered losses and sought help from the Sultan. After receiving reinforcements, Delhi, Maulana decided to try a last resort, to take possession of Azov - fill all the defenders of its land. Rush began excavation work, in which chief executive officers were Italian and German engineers, a few days, most of the city walls was the height of the shaft 7 fathoms. By setting it mogochislennuyu heavy artillery, the Turks began to beat the city out of all projectile day and night. Shooting this lasted 16 days. The Cossacks defended themselves with desperate courage. And stood. In the end, the Turks were forced to lift the siege and go away. In panic they fled, leaving the near Azov from 50 to 70 thousand corpses.
Movies under Peter I of Azov, taken in 1695-96 years and culminated in the capture of the Turkish fortress, opened the "gate" in the southern sea of the Russian State.
The city was the center of Azov Azov province (1775-1782 gg.). In the XIX century was the Azov Posad Ekaterinoslav province. Only in 1926, again became the city of Azov.
During World War II the city more than six months has been occupied by the Nazis. It was shot about 600 people. More than 5,000 have been stolen azovchan in Germany. The city suffered extensive damage.
His current main development of Azov was a 60-80th years of XX century due to intensive industrial development.
Geographical position
Azov is located in the southwestern part of the Rostov region, on the left bank of the River Don. Located 15 km from the confluence of the Don in Taganrog Bay of the Azov Sea and 36 km from the city of Rostov-on-Don. On the regional center is connected by rail, road and river transport.
Population
The population over 82 thousand people. The town's population of more than 20 nationalities. The most numerous are Russian - 94%, Ukrainians - 3.1%, Belorussians - 0.5%. About 55% of the population is of working age. The number of employed in the economy - total: 34.0 thousand people. Of them in the material production - 23,8 thousand people, non-productive sector - 10.2.
Economy
The basis of the city's economy is engineering (7 companies) and food (6 companies). The garment factory and other enterprises of light, food (including canned), the furniture industry. Plant for the production of protein and vitamin supplements. Production of building materials (including reinforced concrete).
In the Azov district of wheat, corn and sunflower. Vegetable growing, fruit growing. Cattle, pigs and poultry.
Transport
Thanks to its advantageous geographical location today Azov - is developing an international sea port with all necessary infrastructure, processing annually about 1 million tons of cargo coming both on sea, and inland waterways for ships carrying capacity of 3000t - 5000t of "river -sea "with a draft of up to 4 meters. Besides the already existing 7 berths in 2002, construction began on several grain terminals, port elevators, terminals for transshipment of timber and industrial alcohol, the terminal for bunkering vessels.
The railway station is located on the Azov junction at a distance of 30km Bataysk. By train or bus from the regional center to the Azov Sea can be reached within one hour taxi - 40 minutes boat - 30 minutes.
Russian cities: Azov and historical monuments