GDANSK, GULF OF

Gdansk also spelled Danzig, Polish Zatoka Gdanska, Russian Gdanskaya Bukhta southern inlet of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Poland on the west, south, and southeast and by Kaliningrad oblast (province) of Russia on the east. The gulf extends 40 miles (64 km) from north to south and 60 miles (97 km) from east to west and reaches its maximum depth, more than 371 feet (113 m), in its northern section. Within the gulf are Puck Bay on the west and the Vistula Lagoon (Zalew Wislany) on the southeast and east. The gulf receives the Vistula River and, through the Vistula Lagoon, the Nogat, Pasleka, and Pregel rivers. Its ports include Gdansk (Danzig), Gdynia, Sopot, Elblag, Baltiysk, and Kaliningrad (Knigsberg). Coastal activities include shipbuilding, fishing, and the resort trade.