Unique Facts about Asia: Caspian Sea Caspian Sea Caspian Sea from orbit. Photo by NASA. The Caspian Sea or Mazandaran Sea is a landlocked sea between Asia and Europe (European Russia). It is the world's largest inland body of water, with a surface area of 371,000 km² (143,000 sq. mi.), and therefore has characteristics common to both seas and lakes. It is often listed as the world's largest lake, though it is not a freshwater one. The Caspian Sea is bordered by Russia (Dagestan, Kalmykia, Astrakhan Oblast), Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran (Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces), Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, with the central Asian steppes to the north and east. On its eastern Turkmen shore is a large embayment, the Kara Bogaz Gol. The sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Manych Canal. In Antiquity it was called the Hyrcanian Ocean. Other old names for the Caspian Sea include the Mazandaran Sea, Khazar Sea and the Khvalissian Sea.

The area is rich in energy wealth. As well as recently discovered oil fields, large natural gas supplies are also in evidence, though further exploration is needed to define their full potential. Geopolitical jockeying is taking place amongst Caspian-bordering countries, especially in the light of Middle East instability and the subsequent recasting of many Western countries' energy policies. Another factor influencing this is the new US military deployment to the Central Asian region. A key problem is the status of the Caspian Sea and the establishment of the water boundaries between the five littoral countries. Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazahkstan signed an agreement in 2003 to divide the northern 64% of the sea between themselves, although the other two bordering countries, Iran and Turkmenistan, did not agree to this. This is likely to result in the three agreeing nations proceeding with oil development regardless; Iranian and Turkmen development is likely to stall. At present, Azerbaijan and Kazahkstan have seen the biggest increase in oil production - an increase of 70% since 1992.

Despite this, the region is still achieving less than potential output, with total regional production 1.6 million barrels (250,000 m³) per day - roughly equal to Brazil's production. This is expected to triple by 2010. The Caspian has characteristics common to both seas and lakes. It is often listed as the world's largest lake, though it is not a freshwater lake. The Volga River (about 80% of the inflow) and the Ural River discharge into the Caspian Sea, but it is endorheic, i.e. there is no natural outflow (other than by evaporation). Thus the Caspian ecosystem is a closed basin, with its own sea level history that is independent of the eustatic level of the world's oceans. The Caspian became landlocked about 5.5 million years ago. The level of the Caspian has fallen and risen, often rapidly, many times over the centuries. Some Russian historians claim that a medieval rising of the Caspian caused the coastal towns of Khazaria, such as Atil, to flood.

In 2004, the water level is -28 metres, or 28 metres below sea level. Over the centuries, Caspian Sea levels have changed in synchronicity with the estimated discharge of the Volga, which in turn depends on rainfall levels in its vast catchment basin. Precipitation is related to variations in the amount of North Atlantic depressions that reach the interior, and they in turn are affected by cycles of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Thus levels in the Caspian sea relate to atmospheric conditions in the North Atlantic thousands of miles to the north and west. These factors make the Caspian Sea a valuable place to study the causes and effects of global climate change. The last short-term sea-level cycle started with a sea-level fall of 3 m from 1929 to 1977, followed by a rise of 3 m from 1977 until 1995. Since then smaller oscillations have taken place. These changes have caused major environmental problems.

Caspian Sea - OLPC Digital Library Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea viewed from orbit Coordinates Residence time (of lake water) 250 years Surface elevation -28 m The Caspian Sea is the largest lake on Earth by both area and volume , [1] with a surface area of 371,000 square kilometres (143,244 mi²) and a volume of 78,200 cubic kilometres (18,761 mi³). [2] It is a landlocked endorheic body of water and lies between Russia and Iran . It has a maximum depth of about 1025 meters (3,363 ft). It is called a sea because when the Romans arrived for their first time, they tasted the water and found it to be salty. [3] It has a salinity of approximately 1.2%, about a third the salinity of sea water.

Contents 12 External links Geography The Caspian Sea is bordered by Russia (Dagestan, Kalmykia, Astrakhan Oblast), Azerbaijan, Iran (Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces), Turkmenistan (Balkan Province), and Kazakhstan, with the central Asian steppes to the north and east. On its eastern Turkmen shore is a large embayment, the Garabogazköl. The sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Manych Canal and the Volga-Don Canal. Cities near the Caspian Sea A view from Southern Coast of Mazandaran (Caspian) Sea from Sari, Iran . Major cities by the Caspian Sea: Sari, Iran Chalous, province of Mazandaran, Iran Now Shahr, province of Mazandaran, Iran Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan (formerly Krasnovodsk) The Caspian Sea, viewed from Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. Islands Ashuradeh (Mazandaran) History The sea is estimated to be about 30 million years old. It became landlocked about 5.5 million years ago.

Discoveries in the Huto cave near the town of Behshahr, Mazandaran, (Southern land of Caspian Sea) suggest human habitation of the area as early as 75,000 years ago. In classical antiquity among greeks and Persians it was called the Hyrcanian Ocean. In Persian antiquity, as well as in modern Iran , it is known as the Mazandaran Sea. in turkic speaking countries it is known as Khazar Sea since it may be possible that khazaran people were the ancerdors of them. Old Russian sources call it the Khvalyn (Khvalynian) Sea after the Khvalis, inhabitants of Khwarezmia. Ancient Arabic sources refer to Bahr-e-Qazvin – the Qazvin Sea. The word Caspian is derived from the name of the Caspi, an ancient people that lived to the west of the sea in Transcaucasia [4] . Also the Caspian Gate which is the name of a region in Tehran province of Iran is another evidence that they migrant to the south of the sea. Historical cities by the sea include Hyrcania, Ancient state in the north of Iran.

Tamisheh, Mazandaran, (which is now in Modern Iran) Atil, Khazaria Baku, Azerbaijan Fauna An aerial view of the southern Caspian coast as viewed from atop the Alborz mountains in Mazandaran, Iran . The Caspian Sea holds great numbers of sturgeon, which yield eggs that are processed into caviar. In recent years overfishing has threatened the sturgeon population to the point that environmentalists advocate banning sturgeon fishing completely until the population recovers. However, prices for sturgeon caviar are so high that fisherman can afford to pay similarly high bribes to authorities to look the other way, making regulations in many locations ineffective.[citations needed] Caviar harvesting further endangers the fish stocks, since it targets reproductive females. The Caspian Seal (Phoca caspica, Pusa caspica in some sources) is endemic to the Caspian Sea, one of very few seal species living in inland waters (see also Baikal Seal). The area has given its name to several species of birds, including the Caspian Gull and the Caspian Tern.

There are several species of fish endemic to the Caspian sea, including Kutum (also known as Caspian White Fish), Caspian Roach, Bream, and a species of salmon. Caspian Salmon is critically endangered. Oil The area is rich in energy wealth. As well as recently discovered oil fields, large natural gas supplies are also in evidence, though further exploration is needed to define their full potential. Geopolitical jockeying is taking place amongst Caspian-bordering countries, especially in the light of Middle East instability and the subsequent recasting of many Western countries' energy policies. Another factor influencing this is the new US military deployment to the Central Asian region. A key problem is the status of the Caspian Sea and the establishment of the water boundaries among the five littoral countries. Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed an agreement in 2003 to divide the northern 64% of the sea among themselves, although the other two bordering countries, Iran and Turkmenistan, did not agree to this. This is likely to result in the three agreeing nations proceeding with oil development regardless; Iranian and Turkmen development is likely to stall.

At present, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have seen the biggest increase in oil production, an increase of 70% since 1992. Despite this, the region is still achieving less than potential output, with total regional production 1.6 million barrels (250,000 m³) per day, roughly equal to Brazil's production. This is expected to triple by 2010. The oil in the Caspian basin is estimated to worth in the region of $12 thousand billion dollars. International disputes Old division of the Caspian Sea Image:Caspian Borders New.PNG New division of the Caspian Sea There are three major issues regulated by the Caspian Sea status: access to mineral resources ( oil and natural gas), access for fishing and access to international waters (through Russia 's Volga river and the canals connecting it to the Black Sea and Baltic Sea). Access to the Volga-river is particularly important for the landlocked states of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. This issue is of course sensitive to Russia , because this potential traffic will move through its territory (albeit onto the inland waterways).

If a body of water is labeled as Sea then there would be some precedents and international treaties obliging the granting of access permits to foreign vessels. If a body of water is labeled merely as lake then there are no such obligations. Environmental issues are also somewhat connected to the status and borders issue. It should be mentioned that Russia got the bulk of the former Soviet Caspian military fleet (and also currently has the most powerful military presence in the Caspian Sea). Some assets were assigned to Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan and especially Turkmenistan got a very small share (because they lack major port cities). According to a treaty signed between the Persians (predecessor of today's Iran) and the Russian Empire the Caspian Sea is technically a lake and it is to be divided into two sectors (Persian and Russian), but the resources (then mainly fish ) would be commonly shared. The line between the two sectors was to be seen as an international border in a common lake (like Lake Albert). Also the Russian sector was sub-divided into administrative sectors of the four littoral republics. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union not all of the newly independent states assumed continuation of the old treaty.

At first Russia and Iran announced that they would continue to adhere to the old treaty (but they don't have a common border any more, so this is practically impossible). Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan announced that they do not consider themselves parties to this treaty. Later followed some proposals for common agreement between all littoral states about the status of the sea. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan insisted that the sectors should be based on the median line, thus giving each state a share proportional to its Caspian coastline length. Also the sectors would form part of the sovereign territory of the particular state (thus making them international borders and also allowing each state to deal with all resources within its sector as it wishes unilaterally). Iran insisted that the sectors should be such that each state gets a 1/5th share of the whole Caspian Sea. This was advantageous to Iran, because it has a proportionally smaller coastline.

Russia proposed a somewhat compromising solution: the seabed (and thus mineral resources) to be divided along sectoral lines (along the two above-described variants), the surface (and thus fishing rights) to be shared between all states (with the following variations: the whole surface to be commonly shared; each state to receive an exclusive zone and one single common zone in the center to be shared. The second variant is deemed not practical, because of the small size of the whole sea). Current situation Russia , Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have agreed to a solution about their sectors. There are no problems between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, but the latter is not actively participating, so there is no agreement either. Azerbaijan is at odds with Iran over some oil fields that the both states claim. There have been occasions where Iranian patrol boats have opened fire at vessels sent by Azerbaijan for exploration into the disputed region. There are similar tensions between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan (the latter claims that the former has pumped more oil than agreed from a field, recognized by both parties as shared). Less acute are the issues between Turkmenistan and Iran . Regardless, the southern part of the sea remains disputed.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed a treaty, according to which, they divide the northern part of the Caspian Sea between them into two sectors along the median line. Each sector is an exclusive zone of its state. Thus all resources, seabed and surface are exclusive to the particular state. Russia and Azerbaijan signed a similar treaty about their common border. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed a similar treaty about their common border. Iran doesn't recognize the bilateral agreements between the other littoral states, but this has limited practical implications, because it doesn't have common borders with Russia and Kazakhstan. Also Iran continues to insist on a single multilateral agreement between all five littoral states (as the only way to achieve 1/5-th share). The position of Turkmenistan is unclear. After Russia adopted the median line sectoral division and the three treaties already signed between some littoral states this is looking like the realistic method for regulating the Caspian borders. The Russian sector is fully defined. The Kazakhstan sector is not fully defined, but is not disputed either. Azerbaijan's, Turkmenistan's and Iran's sectors are not fully defined.

It is not clear if the issue of Volga-access to vessels from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is covered by their agreements with Russia and also what the conditions are for Volga-access for vessels from Turkmenistan and Iran . Characteristics and ecology The Caspian has characteristics common to both seas and lakes . It is often listed as the world's largest lake, though it is not a freshwater lake. The Volga River (about 80% of the inflow) and the Ural River discharge into the Caspian Sea, but it is endorheic, i.e. there is no natural outflow (other than by evaporation) except the Manych Canal. Thus the Caspian ecosystem is a closed basin, with its own sea level history that is independent of the eustatic level of the world's oceans. The Caspian became landlocked about 5.5 million years ago. The level of the Caspian has fallen and risen, often rapidly, many times over the centuries. Some Russian historians claim that a medieval rising of the Caspian caused the coastal towns of Khazaria, such as Atil, to flood.

In 2004, the water level is -28 metres, or 28 metres (92 feet) below sea level. Over the centuries, Caspian Sea levels have changed in synchronicity with the estimated discharge of the Volga, which in turn depends on rainfall levels in its vast catchment basin. Precipitation is related to variations in the amount of North Atlantic depressions that reach the interior, and they in turn are affected by cycles of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Thus levels in the Caspian sea relate to atmospheric conditions in the North Atlantic thousands of miles to the north and west. These factors make the Caspian Sea a valuable place to study the causes and effects of global climate change. The last short-term sea-level cycle started with a sea-level fall of 3 m from 1929 to 1977, followed by a rise of 3 m from 1977 until 1995. Since then smaller oscillations have taken place[3]. These changes have caused major environmental problems[4].

Transportation Several scheduled ferry services operate on the Caspian Sea, including: line between Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan (formerly Krasnovodsk) and Baku line between Baku and Aktau sled dogs can be taking accros during the sumer months Freezing The northern part of the Caspian Sea freezes during winter. In the coldest winters ice can also be found at south. When weather is not as harsh icebanks can form in the shallow waters neighbouring the coast. See also "Names of the Caspian Sea". Baku Ekranoplan, the "Caspian Sea Monster" Tengiz Field Black Sea Geography Map courtesy of the Black Sea Web Project. The Black Sea lies between southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. Excluding its northern arm, the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea occupies about 168,500 square miles (436,400 square kilometers). It is connected to the Aegean Sea through the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, and has been of critical importance to regional commerce throughout the ages.

This major inland sea is bordered by six countries — Romania and Bulgaria to the west; Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia to the north and east; and Turkey to the south. Additionally, it is impacted by another 10 nations through the five major rivers that empty into the Black Sea, the largest of which is the Danube River. The Bordering Countries The following is a brief geographic overview of the nations that border the Black Sea. Also see the History and Culture section to learn more about them. Bulgaria. This mostly mountainous nation, slightly larger than Tennessee, occupies 42,823 square miles (110,912 sq km) and is home to an estimated 7.6 million people. The capital city is Sofia. About 85% of the people are ethnic Bulgarians, and nearly 10% are Turkish. The Golden Sands Resort along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. The Balkan Mountains cross the northwestern corner of Bulgaria to the Black Sea, sloping gradually to a plateau that ends at the Danube, the country's chief river. The southern side of the mountain range is bounded by narrow plains, such as the Thracian Plain, an important agricultural region.

Forests cover about a third of Bulgaria, and the country has a wealth of minerals, mainly iron ore and coal. Bulgaria has mild summers and cold, snowy winters. In addition to agriculture (primary products: vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets), Bulgaria has major industries for the production of electricity, gas and water, food and beverages, machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, refined petroleum, and nuclear fuel. A major emphasis on the development of heavy industry occurred in the country after World War II. Chief exports include clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, and fuels. Varna , the country's largest city, is Bulgaria's principal port on the Black Sea. Romania. With a total land area of about 91,700 square miles (237,500 sq km), Romania is slightly larger than the state of Oregon. More than 89% of the country's 22.3 million people are ethnic Romanians. Hungarians are the largest minority (about 8%), living chiefly in Transylvania. Romania's capital and largest city is Bucharest.

A forest-lined lake fringes the Black Sea coast at Neptun, Romania. Romania is shaped roughly like an oval. The central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the lowlands of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps. Wild boar, wolves, bears, and deer may be found in the mountainous regions. The lowlands serve as important agricultural areas. The country's most important river, the Danube, flows through a delta in the Dobruja region into the Black Sea. More than 43% of Romania is cultivated. The chief agricultural products include wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, potatoes, grapes, eggs, and sheep. The country's major industries include textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, and petroleum refining. Constanta is one of Romania's principal Black Sea ports. Monument to the scuttled ships of the Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol. Ukraine. The second largest country in Europe, Ukraine is mostly a broad, flat plain.

At 233,090 square miles (603,700 sq km), Ukraine is slightly smaller than Texas and has an estimated population of 48.3 million. Over 73% are ethnic Ukrainians, while Russians represent the largest minority, at 22%. The capital and largest city is Kyiv (Kiev). Mountains are found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south. Deer, beaver, marten, vultures, and the steppe eagle are among the wildlife found in Ukraine. In the fertile soil of the central and southern regions, agriculture is a top industry, producing wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, beef, milk, vegetables, and sunflower seeds. Other industry is based on the country's rich mineral resources, including coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, and salt. Odessa and Sevastopol are Ukraine's largest ports on the Black Sea. Russia. At nearly 6.6 million square miles (17 million sq km), Russia is the largest country in the world in geographic size, occupying more than one-ninth of the world's total land area.

It is just slightly less than 1.8 times the size of the United States. Russia has a population of nearly 145 million. The majority live in European Russia, but sizable communities also live near mining and industrial centers. Russians are the predominant nationality at over 80%, with Tatars, Ukrainians, and Chuvash the largest minorities. Russia's three major geographic regions include European Russia, consisting of the territory west of the Ural Mountains; Siberia, stretching east of the Urals nearly to the Pacific Ocean; and far eastern Russia, including the extreme southeast and Pacific coast. Russia's capital and largest city is Moscow. European Russian is primarily a rocky, rolling plain with broad marshes. Its southern border includes the Caucasus Mountains, which extend between the Black and Caspian seas. While the winters may be cool along the Black Sea coast, this part of Russia has a much more temperate climate than Siberia, where temperatures average -59°F in January and have reached as cold as 90 degrees below zero. Novorossijsk is Russia's only deep-water port on the Black Sea. It is a major oil port.

Forests cover over two-fifths of Russia, amounting to nearly one-fourth of the world's forest area. The taiga, or boreal forest, in the north contains the world's largest coniferous forest, representing about half the Earth's softwood timber. Lowland areas have a natural vegetation of grasslands with scattered groves of trees. Russia's chief agricultural products include grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables, fruits, beef, and milk. The country has a complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, food stuffs, and handicrafts. Novorossijsk is Russia's primary Black Sea port. The port of Batumi on Georgia's Black Sea Coast. Georgia. The Caucasus Mountains dominate this country, which is slightly smaller than South Carolina, with a total area of 26,900 square miles (69,700 sq km).

The main ridge of the Caucasus Mountains forms most of the northern boundary of Georgia, while the Lesser Caucasus Mountains occupy the southern regions. The Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west. The uplands are dry, while the coastal climate along the Black Sea is very Mediterranean-like — warm and pleasant. The coastal climate and soils are conducive to growing tea, citrus fruit, hazelnuts, and grapes, which are important agricultural products. Other industries include the mining of manganese and copper, the production of steel, aircraft, appliances, machine tools, chemicals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, wood products, and wine. Nearly 5 million people live in Georgia. Georgians form about 70% of the population, followed by numbers of Armenians, Russians, and Azeris. The capital and largest city is T'blisi. Batumi, Poti, and Sokhumi are the country's primary Black Sea ports. Turkey. The main area of Turkey, known as Anatolia, is in Asia while Turkish Thrace, representing about 3% of the nation's total area, is in Europe.

At nearly 301,000 square miles (780,000 sq km), Turkey is a little larger than Texas. Its capital is Ankara, and Istanbul is the largest city. Istanbul, Turkey, links Europe and Asia. Copyright R. A. Taylor, Images of the World. Turkey is mostly mountainous, with a narrow coastal plain and high central plateau (Anatolia). The country is located in several active seismic zones and is subject to frequent earthquakes.Thrace and the lands bordering the Sea of Marmara is a region of gently rolling hills rising in the east to Mount Ulu (Olympus) at 8,343 feet (2,543 meters). The Aegean and Mediterranean coastlands are narrow and hilly with little arable land, except for a plain in the east where cotton is grown. The steep slopes of the Black Sea coastline rise directly to the Pontic Mountains. The most mountainous area is the eastern highlands. This is where Mount Ararat is located, noted in the Bible as the place where Noah's ark came to rest. Over 67 million people live in Turkey.

About 69% live in urban areas compared to only 21 % in 1950. Turks form about 80% of the population, while Kurds constitute most of the remaining 20%. Turkey is one of the few countries of the world that is self-sufficient in providing basic foods. Nearly half the work force is engaged in farming. The chief crops include wheat, sugar beets, barley, tobacco, olives, cotton, citrus, tomatoes, melons, grapes, maize, livestock, and apples. Fishing also is important, with most of the catch coming from the Mediterranean and Black seas. In addition to rich agricultural resources, Turkey has significant deposits of lignite, coal, iron ore, and chromium. Its most important industry and largest export is textiles and clothing. Other major industries include food processing, automobiles, mining, steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, and paper. Turkey's principal port on the Black Sea is Istanbul . Caspian Sea | Map, Location & Facts | Lakepedia 249 BOOK Caspian Sea Information and Facts The Caspian Sea is, by standard definition, the largest lake on Earth.

It is the largest enclosed inland body of water, and thus sometimes referred to as a sea. Caspian Sea’s surface area is 378,000 km2 or 143,200 sq mi, and it boasts a volume of 78,200 km3. The lake is endorheic (meaning it has no outflows), and sits at the border between Europe and Asia. The countries on its shores are Kazakhstan to the NE, Russia to the NW, Azerbaijan to the West, Iran to the South and Turkmenistan to the SE. The Caucasus Mountains are located West of the Caspian Sea, while the vast steppes of Central Asia are located to the East. The Caspian Depression in the lake’s northern section is one of the lowest points on Earth. Throughout history, the lake has been considered a sea or an ocean, because of its saltiness and size. Its salinity is actually about one third of most seawater, at about 1.2%, or 12 g/l. However, several of the Caspian Sea’s characteristics classify it as a lake, rather than a sea.

Firstly, it’s not either directly or indirectly connected to an ocean basin. Secondly, it’s located at an altitude of 22 meters below the sea level, while all the other seas and oceans are located roughly at the same altitude, known as altitude 0 or sea level. Regarding its size, several numbers have been acknowledged in different stages, depending on the measurements’ accuracy, whether certain lagoons such as Garabogazköl Aylagy were included or not, and so on. In 1930, its surface area was estimated at about 424,300 km2, in 1952 at 393,200 km2, and in 1957 at 371,000 km2. Named After an Ancient Tribe The word "Caspian" is derived from Caspi, an ancient tribe that lived in the southwestern part of the sea, in Transcaucasia. There is also a region in the Iranian Tehran province called Caspian Gates, which suggests that the tribe moved to the South of sea at one point. Many Different Names The lake was and still is known under many different names.

The Greeks and Persians used to call the lake the the Hyrcanian Ocean. In Persian antiquity but also in modern Iran, the Caspian Sea is known as the Mazandaran Sea. Indians used to call it Kashyap Sagar, which in Turkey is known under the name of Khazar Sea. Russian people used to call it Khvalyn or Khvalis Sea, derived from the name of Khwarezmia, while ancient Arabic sources know it under the name of Baá¸¥r GÄ«lÄn, which means "the Gilan Sea". Formed from the Ancient Paratethys Sea The Caspian Sea is a remnant of the ancient Paratethys Sea, like the Black Sea, the Aral Sea, Lake Urmia and Lake Oroumieh. A tectonic uplift and a fall in sea level caused it to became landlocked approximately 5.5 million years ago. The sea almost dried up during warm and dry periods. In its northern section where the Volga River drains into the Caspian Sea, it is a freshwater lake. However, the Iranian shore is more saline, as there is little flow coming from its catchment basin.

The Garabogazköl embayment dried up during the 1980s because the main water flow coming from the main body of the Caspian Sea was blocked. It has been restored, and here salinity exceeds that of the oceans’ by a factor of 10. About 40% of All Lake Water in the World As the largest lake in the world (similar in size to California), the Caspian Sea accounts for approximately 40 - 44% of the Earth’s total lake water volume. The lake is divided into 3 regions: the Northern Caspian, the Middle Caspian and the Southern Caspian. The Northern and the Middle Caspian are separated by the Mangyshlak Threshold, which runs through Cape Tiub-Karagan and Chechen Island. The Middle and Southern Caspian are separated by the Apsheron Threshold, which runs through Cape Kuuli and Zhiloi Island. The Eastern inlet of the Caspian Sea (in Turkmenistan) is called Garabogazköl Bay and is sometimes considered a distinct lake because it’s cut off from the Caspian Sea by an isthmus.

Three very Different Lake Sections The Northern section is very shallow and only accounts for about 1% of the total water volume, but accounts for 25% of the surface area. It has an average depth of 5-6 meters (about 20 ft) and it usually freezes in winter. Then, the lake floor plunges towards the Middle Caspian to an average depth of 190 meters, or 620 ft. The Middle Caspian accounts for 33% of the total water volume. Finally, the Southern Caspian boasts the greatest depths, of more than 1,000 meters (3,300 ft), and accounts for 66% of the total water volume. The Middle and the Southern Caspian sections both account for approximately 37% of the surface area each. Its shores are extremely varied. It reaches greater heights in the South, when it comes in contact with the Alborz (or Elburz) mountain range and to the Caucasus mountains to the West. However, it’s low and features plains and deltas at the mouths of the Kura River and Volga River.

The lake’s maximum width is 435 kilometers, but it also narrows to about 200 kilometers. Volga, the Caspian Sea's Great Tributary The Volga River, at 3,692 km (2,294 mi) the longest river in Europe, is Caspian Sea’s most important tributary among the 130. Other notable affluents include the Ural River (2,428 km or 1,509 miles), Kura River (1,515 km or 941 miles), Terek River (623 km or 387 miles), and Sulak River (144 km). These 5 rivers contribute with approximately 90% of the lake’s freshwater supply, more specifically: Volga with 241 km3, Kura with 13 km3, Terek with 8.5 km3, Ural with 8.1 km3, and Sulak with 4 km3.

The Volga River Delta, located in the Prikaspiisk lowlands, covers approximately 10,000 km2 and is 200 kilometers in width. Amu Darya and Syr Darya both used to change courses in the past to drain into the Caspian Sea. The lake has several small islands with a total area of approximately 2,000 km2 (or 770 sq mi), which are mainly located in the Northern Caspian. Noteworthy here is the Tyuleniy Archipelago, which is an Important Bird Area (IBA). However its the largest island, Ogurja Ada, is located in the Southern Caspian. It is 37 km (23 miles) long, and gazelles roam freely on the island. Other islands include Chechen, Tyuleny, Morskoy, Kulaly, Zhiloy, and Ogurchin. Kara-Bogaz Gol: the Largest Lagoon in the World The Kara-Bogaz Gol is located on the lake’s eastern coast. With a surface area of 18,000 km2, it can easily be considered the largest lagoon in the world.

It is separated from the Caspian Sea by sand bars. In 1980, a dam was built between the Caspian Sea and Kara-Bogaz Gol, in order to prevent water outflow from the Caspian Sea to the lagoon and a subsequent drop in water level. The dam was effective, so effective in fact that more than 40 km3 were retained in the Caspian Sea, which led to an increase of 11 cm in its water level. A spillway was created in 1984 to allow some water discharge, and in June 1992, the dam was removed completely. Great Biodiversity The Caspian Depression is located adjacent to the North Caspian Shore and lies 27 meters (89 feet) below sea level. The Caucasus mountains are situated near the lake’s western shore, while the Asian steppes stretch from the northeastern shore. Cold, continental desert climates characterize the northern and eastern shores, while the southern and southwestern shore are warm due to a mix of mountain ranges and highlands. The drastic climate variations resulted in great biodiversity. Hydrology As already mentioned, the Caspian Sea can be considered both a sea and a lake.

Although it is not a freshwater lake, it is widely considered to be the world’s largest lake, with 3.5 more water than all of the Great Lakes combined. The Volga River contributes with about 80% of the Caspian Sea’s inflow, but the lake doesn’t have a natural outflow. All this means that the Caspian Sea’s ecosystem is a closed basin, independent of the ocean’s basin. Water level in the lake has fluctuated throughout history. Russian historians claim that a rising of the lake’s level (possibly caused by Amu Darya changing its course to the Caspian Sea), has caused floods in coastal towns between the 13th and the 16th centuries. An even more interesting fact is that the Caspian Sea levels are dependent on atmospheric conditions in the North Atlantic Ocean, thousands of miles to the northwest. This is because the discharge of the Volga, its main inflow, depends on rainfall levels from its catchment basin, which in turn are affected by the cycles of the North Atlantic Oscillation.

The latest changes in the lake’s level were a 3-meter fall (about 10 ft), that happened between 1929 and 1977, which was followed by a 3-meter rise that took place between 1977 and 1995. Environmental Concerns The Volga River, the Caspian Sea’s most important inflow, is also a major source of chemical and biological pollutants. Fossil fuel extraction operations taking place in the region are also a major risk to the lake’s water quality. Furthermore, several underwater oil and gas pipelines have been proposed or constructed. The petrochemical industry has affected the island of Vulf in Azerbaijan, causing a significant decrease in the number of species of birds in the area. Fauna Since the Caspian Sea is a lake of superlatives, it’s no wonder that the largest freshwater fish in the world can also be found here. We are talking about the beluga sturgeon, a fish that is also known for its eggs that are processed into caviar. Unfortunately, overfishing is a problem and it has depleted many historic fisheries, to the point of economic exhaustion of tuna fisheries.

Sturgeon populations are also severely threatened, and many environmentalists believe that sturgeon fishing should be banned completely until populations recover. However, high demand and price of caviar make regulations ineffective. Even more, since reproductive females are targeted for caviar harvesting, this further endangers fish stocks. Many Endemic Species Several species of animals are named after the region, like the Caspian gull, the Caspian tern, and the Caspian seal, which is the only aquatic mammal that can be found here and is endemic to the lake. There are 115 species of fish found in the lake. Some of the species of fish that are endemic to the lake include the kutum (or the Caspian white fish), Caspian roach, Caspian marine shad, Caspian bream, and the Caspian salmon. The Caspian salmon is a subspecies of trout and is critically endangered. The spur-thighed tortoise and Horsfield’s tortoise are two of the most important aquatic reptiles that are native to the Caspian Sea. Caspian turtles can also be found in nearby waters.

The Caspian Sea also shares 2 species with the Black Sea: the zebra mussel and the common carp. Coastal wetlands are an ideal habitat for various bird species. Birds are present throughout the year all around the lake, a delight for visitors who can experience the beauty of protected ecological resources. The Gobustan petroglyphs might also suggest that dolphins and porpoises once lived in the Caspian sea. The rock art on Kichikdash Mountain is assumed to represent a dolphin, but it could also represent a beluga sturgeon. Flora As well as in the case of fauna, there are also many endemic and rare plant species around the lake, especially in the Volga delta. Plants which are adapted to the loose sands of the Central Asian Deserts can also be found along the shores of the lake. There are however a few important factors that lead to a limitation in the number of plant species. These factors include water pollution, land reclamation activities, and water level changes in the Caspian sea. Approximately 11 plant species can be found in the delta of the Samur River, including liana forests.

History Various caves in Georgia and Azerbaijan (like Kudaro and Azykh) suggest human occupation in the region, and there is evidence of human occupation in the Lower Palaeolithic in the Ganj Par and Darband Cave sites. Neanderthal remains have also been discovered in a cave in Georgia. Other discoveries point to human habitation in the area as far back as 11,000 years ago. The area has always been known as a region rich in energy resource. Wells have been dug in the region starting with the 10th century. The rich oil and gas deposits have attracted the interest of Europeans as early as the 16th century. The Caspian Sea was first charted by the pioneering explorer Fedor I. Soimonov in the 18th century. He drew the first modern maps of the lake which were published in 1720 by the Russian Academy of Sciences. More recently, in 1950, construction of the Main Turkmen Canal started, ordered by Joseph Stalin. The canal would have been used for shipping and was meant to run from Nukus (on the Amu Darya) to Krasnovodsk (on the Caspian Sea).

However, the canal’s construction was abandoned. A Region Rich in Oil The lake is the site of the world’s first offshore wells, which were built in the Bibi-Heybat Bay, near Azerbaijan’s current capital, Baku. Some of the largest oil fields known to exist at that time started being exploited in 1873, on the Absheron peninsula. By 1900, Baku was known as the "black gold capital", with more than 3,000 wells. Needless to say, in the early 20th century, Baku was the center of the oil industry. The republic’s oil industry came under the control of the Soviet Union in 1920, when Azerbaijan was captured by the Bolsheviks. 23.5 million tons of oil were being produced in Azerbaijan in 1941. The "Contract of the Century" was signed in 1994, which signaled the start of international development of the Baku oil fields. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline was opened in 2006, which allows Azerbaijan oil to reach the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan directly.

Due to its large oil and gas reserves, the Caspian Sea is a major economic importance. Oil reserves in the region are estimated to be between 18 and 35 billion barrels. Comparatively, they are similar in size and even exceed reserves in the North Sea (17 billion) and in the United States (22 billion). Natural gas reserves amount to even more than oil reserves. Territorial Disputes The importance of the region has been noted by many, and negotiations regarding territories in the Caspian Sea have been taking place for nearly 10 years among the 5 states on the lake’s shores. The lake boasts important mineral resources like oil and gas and many fisheries. Access to international waters through Russia’s Volga River is another important issue, and is of great importance to the 3 landlocked countries of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Transport The Caspian Sea itself is endorheic, but it does have an important tributary, the Volga. This major Russian river is connected to the Don River through shipping canals, which also gives it access to the Black Sea. It’s also connected to the Baltic Sea, with canals to Northern Dvina and the White Sea.

The Kuma River is connected to the Don basin also. There are several ferries operating on the sea, including lines between TürkmenbaÅŸy in Turkmenistan and Baku, between Baku and Aktau and between cities in Iran and Russia. Most ferries are used for cargo shipping, but the Baku - TürkmenbaÅŸy and the Baku - Aktau accept passengers as well. Conclusion The importance of the Caspian Sea is undeniable. Economically, its oil and gas reserves have always held a strong allure. Its caviar is appreciated by many around the world. Finally, its rich biological diversity has always attracted scientists and nature lovers. It’s up to us to make sure that the lake recovers from the strains it's been put through. Have You Been to Caspian Sea? Write your impressions about it below. Your Name The Strategic Importance of the Caspian Sea | Stratfor The Strategic Importance of the Caspian Sea Print Text Size The Caspian Sea is a landlocked body of water between Europe and Asia. Five countries — Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan — border the inland sea. The Caspian's strategic importance lies in its abundance of energy resources.

The sea contains large volumes of oil and natural gas reserves both in offshore deposits and in onshore fields in the immediate region. It is estimated that the Caspian contains 48 billion barrels of oil and 8.7 trillion cubic meters of gas in proven or probable reserves. As such, there are numerous existing oil and natural gas projects in the region, and all of the Caspian littoral states are significant energy producers. However, much of the offshore oil and natural gas resources in the Caspian Sea have not been tapped, as there are disputes between the five bordering states over where to demarcate the maritime borders and how to split up the energy resources. Negotiations to establish maritime borders have gone on for nearly two decades. Many proposals and counterproposals have been considered, but these negotiations have not yet produced a solution agreeable to all five states. Europe has especially been interested in the energy supplies from the Caspian. In particular, energy exploited by Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan and shipped via the strategic Southern Corridor route is seen as a way to diversify from Russia's energy grip on the continent.

But opposition from Iran and particularly Russia has prevented such moves, with both countries objecting to projects like the Trans-Caspian natural gas pipeline. This has created a tense geopolitical environment in the region, with the Caspian Sea serving as an important area of competition between Russia and the West. The recent standoff in Ukraine has only increased the importance of the Caspian Sea in this regard.

Question: The Caspian Sea is bordered by how many countries?
Answer: 5