Key Facts about Caspian Sea

Caspian Sea Latest News

Environmental activists are quite concerned and alarmed over the rapidly declining water levels of the Caspian Sea. 

About Caspian Sea

• It is the world’s largest water body that is enclosed or bordered by land on all sides. 
• This massive lake is located between Asia and Europe.
• The sea’s name derives from the ancient Kaspi peoples, who once lived in Transcaucasia to the west.
• It is an endorheic basin (drainage basin without an outflow).
• It covers a total surface area of about 386,400 sq.km. and is about 1,200 km long and 320 km wide. 
• Bordering countries: It is bordered by Russia and Azerbaijan on the west, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on the north and east, and Iran on the south. 
• The composition of the water of the Caspian Sea also varies from almost fresh in the northern parts of the lake to saltier southwards. 
• The mean salinity of the Caspian Sea is now about one-third that of the oceans. 
• Three major rivers—the Volga, the Ural, and the Terek—empty into the Caspian from the north. 
• Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the largest city on the Caspian. Another important city along the Caspian is Iran’s Nowshahr.
• The sea contains as many as 50 islands, most of them small. The largest are Chechen, Tyuleny, Morskoy, Kulaly, Zhiloy, and Ogurchin.
• The sea is also known for its abundance of energy resources (oil and natural gas reserves in offshore fields and onshore on the coast of the sea).
• It is the source of most of the world’s caviar. 

‹ ›

Caspian Sea FAQs

Q1. Which countries border the Caspian Sea?

Ans. It is bordered by Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

Q2. Where is the Caspian Sea located?

Ans. It is located between Asia and Europe.

Q3. Which is the largest lake in the world?

Ans. The largest lake in the world by surface area is the Caspian Sea.

Source: TOI