The World’s Biggest Lake: The Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water, bordered by five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan.

Covering 143,000 square miles- which is the size of Japan – it is classified as a lake, despite its name and is fed by several major rivers, including the Volga, Ural, Kura, and Terek. Its waters are brackish, with varying salinity levels, due to the mix of freshwater from rivers and saltwater from the ocean.

The sea is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including unique species such as the Caspian seal, several types of sturgeon (which produce caviar), and various fish species. Its biodiversity is important for both ecological balance and local economies.

The area is rich in fossil fuels. Oil wells were being dug in the region as early as the 10th century to reach oil for use in everyday life, both for medicinal purposes and for heating and lighting in homes Ever since the discovery and extraction of these resources have significant economic implications for the bordering countries ever since .

During the Tang dynasty (618–907), the sea was the western limit of the Chinese Empire

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea in the Caucasus region.Baku is 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku’s urban population is estimated at more than two million people .

.The Caspian Sea faces various environmental challenges, including pollution, overfishing, and the effects of climate change. Efforts are being made to address these issues and protect the unique ecosystem of the sea.

The Caspian Sea is strategically important due to its energy resources and its position as a border between several countries with varying interests. Disputes over territorial boundaries and resource rights have historically influenced regional politics.

Iran and the Soviet Union split the Caspian sea’s surface 50/50 and the sea’s volume 75/25 with Iran getting more, between themselves in 1931.

IAccess to mineral resources such as oil and natural gas, and for fishing, and and access to international waters (through Russia’s Volga River and the canals connecting it to the Black Sea and Baltic Sea are subject to negotiations . Access to the Volga is key for market efficiency and economic diversity of the landlocked states of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

All five Caspian states maintain naval forces on the sea.

Destinations: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan.