Azov (formerly Azak, or Tana) is a town in Rostov Region, south-western Russia. It lies on the left bank of the Don River, 4 miles (7 km) east of the Sea of Azov. It is a rail junction, a light industrial center, and a fishing center. Tourism supplements the economy. The history of Azov city runs more than 900 years. Under the names Tana-Azak-Azov this ancient city of Don area has gone down into our and world history. Founded as the Greek colony of Tanais, it was a trading center and fortress. It came under Kievan Rus in the 10th century, was taken by the Cumans in the 11th century, became a Genoese colony in the 13th century, and passed to the Turks in 1471. The Don Cossacks held the city, but were driven out by the Turks. Peter the Great won the city in 1696 and thus opened southern routes for Russia. Azov is well-known of its cultural and folk traditions. It's the region of wide open spaces, the place where the Don river flows down into the Azov sea. Its prominent history and folklore attracts tourists from all over the world. The Rostov region is the native land of the famous Russian authors Anton Chekhov and Mikhail Sholokhov, the Winner of the Noble Prize for Literature. At present, the city has two main attractions: Azov Fort and an interesting museum containing exhibits on Cossack life and history.