The Kuma–Manych depression () is a
geological depression
In geology, a depression is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. Depressions form by various mechanisms.
Types
Erosion-related:
* Blowout: a depression created by wind erosion typically in either a partially vegetated sa ...
in southwestern
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
that separates the
Russian Plain to the north from
Ciscaucasia to the south.
It is named after the
Kuma and
Manych
The Manych () is a river in the Black Sea–Caspian Steppe of Southern Russia. It flows through the western and central part of the Kuma–Manych Depression. In ancient times, it was known as the Lik.
A tributary of the Don (river), Don, it is l ...
rivers.
Geography

Kuma–Manych depression is sometimes regarded as a definition for the natural
boundary between Asia and Europe
Determining the boundaries between the continents is generally a matter of geographical convention. Several slightly different conventions are in use. The number of continents is most commonly considered seven (in English-speaking countries) bu ...
.
[
The Rostov Nature Reserve is located within the depression.]
See also
* Eurasia Canal
The Eurasia Canal (, ''Kanal "Evraziya"'') is a proposed 700-kilometre-long (430 mi) canal connecting the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea along the Kuma-Manych Depression. Currently, a chain of lakes and reservoirs and the shallow irrigation K ...
* Manych Ship Canal
* Terek–Kuma Lowland
References
Depressions of Russia
Landforms of Europe
Landforms of Kalmykia
Landforms of Stavropol Krai
{{South-Russia-geo-stub