Caspian Sea

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Caspian Sea Kazakhstan Mangistau

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Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, located between Europe and Asia. It is classified as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The Caspian Sea is bordered by five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. It has a unique ecosystem, which includes over 400 animal species and is known for its oil and natural gas reserves.

Geography

The Caspian Sea is an endorheic basin (a basin without outflows) lying between Europe and Asia. It has a surface area of approximately 371,000 square kilometers, making it the largest enclosed inland water body on Earth by area. The sea features a north-south elongation that is approximately 1,200 kilometers long, and it varies in width between 200 and 436 kilometers. The Caspian Sea is divided into three distinct physical regions: the Northern, Middle, and Southern Caspian. The Northern Caspian is the shallowest, with depths less than 5 meters in some areas, while the Southern Caspian is the deepest, with depths reaching over 1,000 meters.

Ecology

The Caspian Sea is home to a unique ecological system, including the famous Caspian seal (Pusa caspica), the only marine mammal found in the Caspian Sea. Its waters and wetlands provide vital habitats for numerous plant and animal species. The sea is also known for its sturgeon, which produce the majority of the world's caviar.

Economy

The Caspian region is rich in natural resources, notably oil and natural gas. The discovery of these resources has led to significant economic and political interests in the area. The Caspian Sea is also important for fisheries, particularly for the sturgeon fishery.

Environmental Issues

The Caspian Sea faces several environmental threats, including pollution from oil extraction and refining, overfishing, and habitat destruction. The sea's unique biodiversity is at risk, prompting international efforts to protect its fragile ecosystem.

Legal Status

The legal status of the Caspian Sea has been a subject of dispute among the littoral states since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The main issue is whether the Caspian should be classified as a sea or a lake, which affects how its resources are divided. In recent years, the littoral states have made progress towards resolving these disputes, including agreements on resource sharing and environmental protection.