More about the Caspian Sea.
Mud volcanoes near the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan. Many mud volcanoes exist on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Tectonic forces and large sedimentary deposits around the sea have created several fields of mud volcanoes, many of them emitting methane and other hydrocarbons.
Photo: shankar s.
The Caspian Sea is situated about 500 km east of the
Black Sea. The vast lake lies between southeastern Europe and
Western Asia, east of the Caucasus Mountains and south of the vast
Eurasian Steppe. To the east the
Karakum Desert reaches close to the eastern shores of the sea.
How many countries border the Caspian Sea?
Five countries border the Caspian Sea,
Iran,
Russia, and three former Soviet republics (until 1991),
Azerbaijan,
Turkmenistan, and
Kazakhstan.
Geology of the Caspian Sea region.
The Caspian Sea lies within a vast land depression, a remnant of the prehistoric
Paratethys Sea, which once covered large parts of Eurasia. It is the
largest enclosed inland body of water in the world and is often classified as both a sea and a lake due to its unique characteristics. The Caspian is the
lowest natural point in Eurasia, with its surface lying approximately
21 meters (69 feet) below mean sea level. Geologically, the Caspian Sea is
completely isolated, with no direct connection to the world's oceans. Its
primary inflow comes from the
Volga River. The longest river Europe's contributes about
80% of its total water volume. Other significant rivers that flow into the sea are the
Ural, the
Kura, the
Terek and the
Atrek rivers.
The Caspian Sea is an
endorheic basin; it has
no outflowing rivers; water leaves the basin
solely through evaporation, making its water balance highly sensitive to climatic fluctuations.
What is the Caspian Sea known for?
A drilling rig in the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is one of the world's most important regions for energy production, hosting vast reserves of oil and natural gas both onshore and offshore. It has been a center of petroleum extraction for over a century, with some of the world's earliest oil fields located here.
Photo: Sek Keung Lo
Energy Resources
The Caspian Sea is
one of the world's richest regions for oil and natural gas, with vast reserves located both
offshore and onshore along its coastlines. All five littoral states (
Russia,
Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan,
Iran, and
Azerbaijan) exploit these resources in cooperation with international oil companies.
However, a significant portion of the Caspian's offshore
oil and gas remains untapped due to ongoing disputes over maritime borders and resource distribution among the bordering nations. These conflicts have historically slowed exploration and development efforts, despite the region's strategic importance in global energy markets.
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Oil and gas fields
The
Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oil field in Azerbaijan and the
Kashagan oil field in Kazakhstan are two of the largest in the region.
The
Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan is one of the world's biggest natural gas fields.
Beluga
The Caspian Sea is known as the source for
Beluga Caviar, which comes from the critically endangered beluga sturgeon. Russian and Iranian caviar are renowned for their quality and flavor.
Overfishing and pollution have put the sturgeon populations in danger, leading to strict regulations and conservation efforts.
Legal Status and Division of Resources
The legal status of the Caspian Sea has been a subject of prolonged dispute, particularly regarding its characterization as a 'lake' or 'sea,' which affects how resources are divided among the littoral states.
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View of Baku City, the capital of Azerbaijan and the largest city at the Caspian Sea.
Photo: shankar s.
Major ports along the Caspian Sea
- Port of Baku, Azerbaijan
The Port of Baku is the port of Azerbaijan's capital city; it is the largest and oldest port on the Caspian Sea. It serves as a major hub for cargo and passenger traffic, connecting Europe and Asia. The port has undergone significant modernization to enhance its capacity and efficiency.
- Aktau Port, Kazakhstan
Situated on Kazakhstan's eastern shore, Aktau Port is the country's primary maritime gateway. It handles a variety of cargo, including oil, metals, and consumer goods, playing a crucial role in Kazakhstan's economy.
- Turkmenbashi International Seaport, Turkmenistan
This port is Turkmenistan's main maritime outlet, facilitating cargo and passenger services. It has been modernized to increase capacity and now serves as a key transit hub between Central Asia and Europe.
- Astrakhan Port, Russia
Located near the Volga River delta, Astrakhan Port is a vital Russian port on the Caspian Sea. It handles a diverse range of cargo, including grain, which is significant for Russia's seaborne exports.
- Amirabad Port, Iran
As Iran's largest port on the Caspian Sea, Amirabad handles various types of cargo and is connected to the national railway network, enhancing its role in regional trade.
- Makhachkala Port, Russia
This is Russia's only ice-free port on the Caspian Sea, making it strategically important for year-round operations. It handles oil, grain, and other cargoes, contributing to the regional economy.
- Bandar Anzali Port, Iran
Located in northern Iran, Bandar Anzali is a significant port facilitating trade with neighboring countries and handling various cargo types, including bulk and containerized goods.
The Declining Caspian
The Caspian Sea is
shrinking rapidly. Due to
climate change and reduced river inflow (mainly the Volga River), its levels are dropping by up to
7 cm per year.
Scientists predict that by 2
100, the Caspian could shrink by more than 9 meters, drastically altering the coastline.