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Revision as of 11:26, 23 October 2002 by Olivier (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Caspian Sea is a landlocked sea in Asia. It is bordered by Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, with the central Asian steppes to the north and east. Old names for the Caspian include the "Khazar Sea" and the "Khvalissian Sea".
The Caspian is one of the world's smallest seas; in fact, according to scientists it has characteristics common to both seas and lakes. It is, however, the world's largest inland body of water. It has a surface area of 371,000 km² (143000 sq. mi.).
The Caspian holds a great amount of sturgeon, which yield eggs that are processed into caviar. Overfishing threatens the sturgeon population, to the point that environmentalists advocate banning sturgeon fishing completely until the population recovers.
Potentially huge oil fields also lie underneath the Caspian Sea.
The level of the Caspian has fallen and risen many times over the centuries. Some Russian historians claim that a medieval rising of the Caspian caused the coastal towns of Khazaria, such as Atil, to flood.
The Volga River discharges into the Caspian Sea.
The sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Manych Canal.
Major cities by the Caspian Sea:
- See also : Caspian Sea Monster