The Caspian Sea, large and rich in life, is very important both for Russia and for other countries whose coasts it washes. The sea is unique in its nature, and there is still debate in the scientific community about how it should be classified. However, these are all paperwork, but in fact, the Caspian expanses fascinate everyone who sees them with their own eyes.
Interesting facts about the Caspian Sea
- It is the largest closed reservoir on Earth, having no communication with other seas and oceans.
- Its maximum depth is only slightly more than one kilometer. The deepest point is 1025 meters.
- Due to the peculiarities of its geological structure and size, many scientists believe that it would be more correct to consider the Caspian Sea as a drainless lake (interesting facts about lakes).
- The water in the Caspian Sea is on average 5 times less salty than in other seas and oceans, and in the region of the mouth of the Volga River it is almost fresh at all.
- The surface area of the Caspian Sea exceeds the area of such countries as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Poland and the Republic of Belarus.
- Its surface level lies about 27 meters below sea level in the generally accepted sense of the word.
- It is believed that the Caspian Sea got its name from the name of the Caspian tribe, who lived on its shores about 3000 years ago.
- In Kyivan Rus, it was called the Khvalis Sea, from the name of the local people – the Khvalis. Another common name was «Derbent Sea», after the name of the ancient Dagestan city of Derbent.
- In Iran and Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea is still called the Khazar or Mazenderan Sea (interesting facts about Azerbaijan).
- Opposite shores of the Caspian Sea belong to different continents. The west coast is in Europe, and the east coast is in Asia.
- The Absheron Peninsula in this sea is the most polluted territory in the entire region.
- 130 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea.
- Its waters wash the shores of 5 countries – Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Kazakhstan.
- The largest city on the shores of the Caspian Sea is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
- If we still consider the Caspian Sea a lake, then it will account for about 44% of all world lake water, and it will be the third in the world in depth, second only to Baikal and Tanganyika.
- Its average depth does not exceed 208 meters.
- The water level in the Caspian Sea is unstable. Over the past 3000 years, it has changed by about 15 meters.
- The northern part of this sea freezes and is covered with ice in winter.
- The highest wave ever recorded in the Caspian Sea reached 11 meters.
- More than 1800 different species of animals live in the waters of the Caspian Sea and on its shores. The flora is also rich – 728 species.
- About 2-4 million years ago, other seas existed in its place – Akchagyl and Pontic.
- Primitive people lived on the shores of the Caspian Sea for another 75,000 years ago (interesting facts about ancient people).
- The first documented study of it was undertaken more than 2200 years ago by the former commander of Alexander the Great, who later became known as the ruler Seleucus I.
- At the bottom of the Caspian The sea contains rich oil and gas deposits, the total mass of which is estimated at 10-20 billion tons.