Caspian Sea. Geographical position The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of two parts of the Eurasian continent - Europe and Asia. Caspian Sea. Caspian Sea Sea water temperature

Where Europe meets Asia, there is one of the unique bodies of water, which is officially called a sea, and unofficially called a lake - the Caspian Sea, which washes the shores of several countries with its waters. , or rather, its northeastern part, overlooks the Caspian coast. What mysteries does the Caspian Sea hold, how big a role does it play in the life of the country, and how can people benefit the sea itself?

Geography of the Caspian Sea

Researchers are still arguing about what the Caspian Sea really is – a lake or a sea. The fact is that this reservoir is the largest of all drainless ones. These are those that have no connection with the World Ocean.

All rivers of the Caspian Sea originate on land, but do not reach the ocean shores. Thus, it is closed and can well be called a lake. However, the Caspian Sea is quite large, and its bottom is the earth’s crust, which is of the oceanic type. This indicates that the sea appeared here millions of years ago.

The fact that once upon a time on the planet, or rather, on the territory where Europe and Asia are located today, a huge prehistoric Sarmatian Sea splashed - this is the name scientists gave it. This was 12 million years ago. Water covered the entire area of ​​the current landmass.

The Caucasus and Crimea were islands in this incredibly large sea. However, it gradually desalinated and dried out due to the slow rise of land. As a result, in place of the Sarmatian Sea, peculiar “puddles” were formed - the Caspian, Black, Aral, and Azov seas.

Finding the Caspian Sea on a geographical map today is quite simple. It is located in the region of Asia Minor and is separated from the Black Sea by the Caucasus, which acts as a kind of isthmus between these two bodies of water. It has outlines elongated from north to south. Its coordinates are 36°34"–47°13" north latitude and 46°–56° east longitude. Modern borders are the coasts of five states:

1. Russia.
2. Azerbaijan.
3. Turkmenistan.
4. Kazakhstan.
5. Iran.

Geographers divide the sea's territory into the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian, with the southern part occupying about 40% of the area, and the northern part making up only 25%. There are also boundaries to these divisions. Thus, the Middle Caspian is separated from the North by a conventional line drawn from Cape Tyub-Karagan to the island of Chechen. And the border between South and Middle runs along Cape Gan-Gulu and Chilov Island.

Area and depth

Many people are interested in the area of ​​the Caspian Sea, but these parameters change periodically. It all depends on seasonal variations in depth. So, if the water level in the sea is about 27 meters, the reservoir can reach over 370 thousand square kilometers. During these periods, it becomes full-flowing, and holds almost 45% of the total volume of fresh lake water on the planet.

The Caspian Sea is heterogeneous in depth parameters. Thus, the shallowest part is the northern one, its average depth does not exceed 4 meters, and the maximum is 25 meters. The southern part is the deepest, in the area of ​​the South Caspian depression it is 1025 meters. Overall, the researchers found that the average depth of the reservoir is 208 meters according to the bathygraphic curve.

The Caspian Lake is third in depth after lakes Baikal and Tanganyika. As for sea level, it fluctuates significantly. Scientific measurements of the reservoir began in 1837. Scientists, based on historical documents and archaeological research, claim that the highest water level was observed at the turn of the 13th-14th centuries, then it began to decline.

Over the course of three thousand years of our civilization, the water level in the Caspian Sea has changed by 15 meters. The reasons can be very different. First of all, these are geological changes in the state of the earth's crust, as well as climate fluctuations in a given region and human actions.

Temperature and climate

Since today the Caspian basin is home to not only industrial enterprises, but also resorts, the temperature of the Caspian Sea is of keen interest to many. This indicator is also subject to seasonal changes, and they are quite significant.

In winter, the difference in temperature fluctuations is within 10 degrees. In the southern part of the reservoir, the water temperature in winter has an average temperature of 11 degrees, while in the northern part of the sea this temperature is no more than 0.5 degrees, and sometimes even slight glaciation is observed. The northern regions, as the shallowest waters, warm up faster in summer and can reach temperatures of up to 26 degrees. At the same time, the water temperature in the western part of the reservoir is permanently higher than in the eastern part.

The summer period, lasting from June to September, makes temperature indicators more uniform throughout the sea. At this time, in the upper layers the water warms up to 26 degrees, and in the southern part it can increase to 28 degrees. By the velvet season in shallow areas, the water can warm up even more and reach 32 degrees.

In addition, in summer there is a phenomenon such as the rise of deep water layers to the surface. This is the so-called upwelling, but scientists do not observe it throughout the entire water area, but mainly only in the east; sometimes deep waters rise in the southern part of the reservoir. As a result, the water temperature on average can be understood by 10 degrees.

Like other marine bodies of water, the water in the Caspian Sea is salty. However, the level of salt saturation may vary depending on individual areas. The salt concentration is highest in the western and southern parts of the reservoir. In the northern regions, sea water is constantly diluted with fresh water from rivers. However, throughout the sea, salt concentrations vary depending on the season of the year.

In addition, winds are the reason why water becomes saltier or fresher. For example, in the Southern and Middle Caspian these fluctuations are weakly expressed, in contrast to the Northern.

The climate of this maritime region also varies. The southern part of the sea has a subtropical climate, the middle part has a temperate climate, and the northern part has a continental climate. As a result, the air temperature on the coast varies.

It is worth noting that it is hottest in the south and southeast of the reservoir. Here the temperature can sometimes reach 44 degrees in summer, and the average temperature is 26-27 degrees. The north of the reservoir also cannot complain about the cold in the summer - air temperatures up to 25 degrees are recorded here. As for winter, the air temperature in the north can reach -10 degrees, and in the south – up to +10 degrees.

Pool Features

There is no need to assume that the Caspian Sea is just a closed body of water limited by its shores. On the map, the sea has fairly smooth shores, but in reality its borders are indented by small capes and peninsulas, as well as channels and river mouths. The coastline is about 7 thousand kilometers (if you take into account the islands).

The coast of the lake in its northern part looks low, there is some swampiness due to the presence of many channels. From the east, the Caspian coast is mainly limestone, and the territories smoothly turn into semi-desert lands. The tortuosity of the coastal edges is highest in the east and west.

Any large body of water cannot do without islands, and the Caspian Sea is no exception. The islands of the Caspian Sea are diverse, their total number is almost 50 islands of different sizes. The largest include:

• Boyuk-Zira;
• seal;
• Chechen;
• Ashur-Ada;
• Ogurchinsky;
• Cure-Dashi;

The coast of the Caspian Sea is also rich in peninsulas, among which Mangyshlak, Apsheronsky, and Tyub-Karagan stand out. Finally, the geography of the Caspian Sea includes many large and small bays. The most famous of them are:

• Kizlyarsky;
• Kara-Bogaz-Gol;
• Mangyshlaksky;
• Gizilagac;
• Turkmenbashi;
• Astrakhan (Astrakhansky);
• Hyrcanus.

Of these bays, one can especially highlight Kara-Bogaz-Gol, which is located in the eastern part of the sea and today belongs to Turkmenistan. Until the end of the twentieth century, it was a kind of Caspian lagoon, which was connected to the “big water” by the strait. In the 1980s, back during the Soviet era, a dam was first built here, and then a dam, as a result of which the water level in the bay was reduced.

Today the situation has returned to its original point, since the strait was restored. Water enters the bay in volumes of 10-17 cubic kilometers annually. However, due to the hot climate, it evaporates, so the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay is extremely salty.

The Caspian Sea, like other similar bodies of water, has rich flora and fauna. A variety of algae predominate here, and researchers believe that most of the Caspian is of local origin. However, it is also possible that some algae were brought here artificially - for example, on the bottoms of merchant ships from other seas.

The Caspian Sea is quite diverse. There are more than 100 species of fish. This is where the famous sturgeon and other fish of the same family are found. Basically, the fish of the Caspian are those that live in fresh or low-salt waters: pike, carp, salmon, mullet, perch, carp, some of which are listed in. You can find seals in the sea.

Development of waters and seabed

Who among us does not remember the famous phrase from geography textbooks: “The Volga flows into the Caspian Sea.” This river is the largest of those whose mouth is the Caspian Sea. Every year it delivers up to 224 cubic kilometers of fresh water to the sea. But there are others, smaller ones, who also flock here. In addition to Volga, these are:

1. Terek.
2. Ural.
3. Samur.
4. Sulak.

These rivers flow through the territory of Russia, and in addition to them, the waters of the Atrek (Turkmenistan), Kura (), Sefidrud (Iran), and Emba (Kazakhstan) rivers flow into the Caspian Sea. In total, out of 130 different rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea, the mouths of nine water streams are formed in the form of a delta.

The development of the lake took place over many centuries. Today, the ports of the Caspian Sea connect the shores of the reservoir with trade routes. Of the Russian ports, the most important are Makhachkala and Astrakhan, from which ships are constantly sent to the Kazakh Aktau, the Azerbaijani Baku and other coastal shores of the Caspian Sea. In addition, it is connected to the Sea of ​​Azov, which is reached through the Don and Volga rivers, as well as through the Volga-Don Canal.

An important direction in the economic development of the Caspian basin and the sea itself is oil production. The oil resources of the sea currently amount to approximately 10 billion tons - these are the estimates given by researchers. If we add gas condensate to this, then the reserves double.

Oil production is the most important sector of the economy of the countries of the Caspian region, therefore, for many years, disagreements regarding the use of the resources of the sea have been unresolved. During the existence of the USSR, the territory of the Caspian Sea belonged to the Soviet Union and Iran.

Legal documents on the division of the reservoir and the use of its shelf, which were concluded between Iran and the USSR, are still in force. At the same time, disputes regarding the legal division of territories continue. Thus, Iran proposes to divide it equally between five countries, and three former Soviet republics insist that the reservoir be divided along the median line of demarcation.

This issue remains very serious, because depending on where the sea should be divided, not only the volume of oil production for each Caspian state depends, but also the use of other resources of the reservoir. Here we can talk, first of all, about fisheries, because the sea is very generous with fish stocks.

They harvest not only fish, but also the famous caviar, as well as seal. However, the reproduction of the fish stock today would be much more effective if it were not for the poachers of the Caspian Sea, who organize illegal sturgeon fishing and illegally extract caviar.

Moreover, they exist in almost all Caspian countries, so the fight against them is common to the neighboring countries of the Caspian basin. As a result, sturgeon exports have been limited in recent years, as both Russia and other Caspian countries are interested in preserving this natural wealth of the region.

Poaching is a serious problem, and today Russia, together with Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, are developing measures aimed at legal restrictions on illegal fishing.

However, there is another big problem of the Caspian Sea - pollution of sea waters. The reason is oil production, as well as oil transportation by sea. We should not forget that large cities located on the shores of a reservoir are a constant source of water pollution. In addition, industrial enterprises, despite strict prohibitions, sometimes still discharge waste into rivers, which then end up in the sea.

Environmental violations lead not only to general pollution of the Caspian waters, but also to changes in the boundaries of the reservoir itself (swamping, drying out, and so on). But it’s not even worth talking about the importance of the Caspian Sea for the entire region.

Holidays at the resorts of the Caspian Sea

In order to understand what human civilization can lose by losing the Caspian Sea, you can look at its photo. This body of water is an amazing place for a good rest, and the sea landscapes invariably impress everyone who comes here. A holiday spent on the Caspian Sea turns out to be no worse than on the Black Sea shores. Fresh air, mild climate and well-maintained beaches - this is what it can give to tourists.

If you decide to go to the Caspian Sea, the prices for holidays will pleasantly surprise you. Tourism is valued largely because it turns out to be inexpensive compared to what awaits tourists going to resorts in other regions of the planet. Residents of Russia can relax very cheaply within their country and at the same time receive excellent service, no different in level from the Mediterranean.

There are several resorts in Russian cities (most of which are in), which are particularly popular with tourists. This:

• Astrakhan;
• Dagestan Lights;
• Kaspiysk;
• Izberbash;
• Lagan.

If tourists go to Derbent, first of all, to see its ancient sights, and to Astrakhan - to enjoy fishing, then vacation spots in Makhachkala are among the most comfortable and cozy beaches of the Caspian Sea.

This resort attracts not only a comfortable holiday, but also the opportunity to improve your health, because there are thermal and mineral springs here. Among the foreign resorts, we can note the Kazakh Aktau, the Azerbaijani Sumgait and the Turkmen recreation area Avaza.

Today the Caspian Sea is one of the world's most important regions economically. Without it, it is impossible to imagine modern Eurasia and, especially, the history of Russia. This means that the state of this reservoir must be protected by the state.

The Caspian Sea is one of the most amazing closed bodies of water on Earth.

Over the centuries, the sea has changed more than 70 names. The modern one came from the Caspians - tribes inhabiting the central and southeastern part of Transcaucasia 2 thousand years BC.

Geography of the Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of Europe and Asia and, according to its geographical location, is divided into the South, North and Middle Caspian. The middle and northern parts of the sea belong to Russia, the southern to Iran, the eastern to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and the southwestern to Azerbaijan. For many years, the Caspian states have been dividing the Caspian waters among themselves, and quite sharply at that.

Lake or sea?

In fact, the Caspian Sea is the world's largest lake, but has a number of marine characteristics. These include: a large body of water, strong storms with high waves, high and low tides. But the Caspian Sea does not have a natural connection with the World Ocean, which makes it impossible to call it a sea. At the same time, thanks to the Volga and artificially created channels, such a connection appeared. The salinity of the Caspian Sea is 3 times lower than the usual sea salinity, which does not allow the reservoir to be classified as a sea.

There were times when the Caspian Sea was truly part of the World Ocean. Several tens of thousands of years ago the Caspian Sea was connected to the Sea of ​​Azov, and through it to the Black and Mediterranean. As a result of long-term processes occurring in the earth's crust, the Caucasus Mountains were formed, which isolated the reservoir. The connection between the Caspian and Black Seas was carried out for a long time through the strait (Kuma-Manych depression) and gradually ceased.

Physical quantities

Area, volume, depth

The area, volume and depth of the Caspian Sea are not constant and directly depend on the water level. On average, the area of ​​the reservoir is 371,000 km², the volume is 78,648 km³ (44% of all world lake water reserves).

(The depth of the Caspian Sea in comparison with lakes Baikal and Tanganyika)

The average depth of the Caspian Sea is 208 m; the northern part of the sea is considered the shallowest. The maximum depth is 1025 m, noted in the South Caspian depression. In depth, the Caspian Sea is second only to Baikal and Tanganyika.

The length of the lake from north to south is about 1200 km, from west to east on average 315 km. The length of the coastline is 6600 km, with islands - about 7 thousand km.

Shores

Basically, the coast of the Caspian Sea is low-lying and smooth. In the northern part it is heavily indented by the river channels of the Urals and Volga. The swampy shores here are located very low. The eastern shores adjoin semi-desert zones and deserts and are covered with limestone deposits. The most winding shores are in the west in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula, and in the east in the area of ​​the Kazakh Bay and Kara-Bogaz-Gol.

Sea water temperature

(Temperature of the Caspian Sea at different times of the year)

The average winter water temperature in the Caspian Sea ranges from 0 °C in the northern part to +10 °C in the southern part. In Iranian waters, the temperature does not drop below +13 °C. With the onset of cold weather, the shallow northern part of the lake is covered with ice, which lasts for 2-3 months. The thickness of the ice cover is 25-60 cm, at especially low temperatures it can reach 130 cm. In late autumn and winter, drifting ice floes can be observed in the north.

In summer, the average sea surface temperature is + 24 °C. In most parts the sea warms up to +25 °C…+30 °C. Warm water and beautiful sandy, occasionally shell and pebble beaches create excellent conditions for a good beach holiday. In the eastern part of the Caspian Sea, near the city of Begdash, abnormally low water temperatures remain in the summer months.

Nature of the Caspian Sea

Islands, peninsulas, bays, rivers

The Caspian Sea includes about 50 large and medium-sized islands, with a total area of ​​350 km². The largest of them are: Ashur-Ada, Garasu, Gum, Dash and Boyuk-Zira. The largest peninsulas are: Agrakhansky, Absheronsky, Buzachi, Mangyshlak, Miankale and Tyub-Karagan.

(Tyuleniy Island in the Caspian Sea, part of the Dagestan Nature Reserve)

The largest bays of the Caspian include: Agrakhansky, Kazakhsky, Kizlyarsky, Dead Kultuk and Mangyshlaksky. In the east is the salt lake Kara-Bogaz-Gol, which was previously a lagoon connected to the sea by a strait. In 1980, a dam was built on it, through which water from the Caspian goes to Kara-Bogaz-Gol, where it then evaporates.

130 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, located mainly in its northern part. The largest of them are: Volga, Terek, Sulak, Samur and Ural. The average annual drainage of the Volga is 220 km³. 9 rivers have delta-shaped mouths.

Flora and fauna

The Caspian Sea is home to about 450 species of phytoplankton, including algae, aquatic and flowering plants. Of the 400 species of invertebrates, worms, crustaceans and molluscs predominate. There are a lot of small shrimp in the sea, which are the object of fishing.

More than 120 species of fish live in the Caspian Sea and its delta. Fishing objects include sprat (“Kilkin fleet”), catfish, pike, bream, pike perch, kutum, mullet, roach, rudd, herring, white fish, pike perch, goby, grass carp, burbot, asp and pike perch. Stocks of sturgeon and salmon are currently depleted, however, the sea is the largest supplier of black caviar in the world.

Fishing in the Caspian Sea is allowed all year round, with the exception of the period from late April to late June. There are many fishing bases with all amenities on the coast. Fishing in the Caspian Sea is a great pleasure. In any part of it, including in large cities, the catch is unusually rich.

The lake is famous for its wide variety of waterfowl. Geese, ducks, loons, seagulls, waders, eagles, geese, swans and many others fly to the Caspian Sea during the migration or nesting period. The largest number of birds - over 600 thousand individuals - is observed at the mouths of the Volga and Ural, in the Turkmenbashi and Kyzylagach bays. During the hunting season, a huge number of fishermen come here not only from Russia, but also from countries near and far abroad.

The Caspian Sea is home to the only mammal. This is the Caspian seal or seal. Until recently, seals swam close to the beaches, everyone could admire the amazing animal with round black eyes, and the seals behaved very friendly. Now the seal is on the verge of extinction.

Cities on the Caspian Sea

The largest city on the Caspian Sea coast is Baku. The population of one of the most beautiful cities in the world is over 2.5 million people. Baku is located on the picturesque Absheron Peninsula and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the warm and oil-rich Caspian Sea. Smaller cities: the capital of Dagestan - Makhachkala, Kazakh Aktau, Turkmen Turkmenbashi and Iranian Bender-Anzeli.

(Baku Bay, Baku - a city on the Caspian Sea)

Interesting Facts

Scientists are still debating whether to call a body of water a sea or a lake. The level of the Caspian Sea is gradually decreasing. The Volga delivers most of the water to the Caspian Sea. 90% of black caviar is mined in the Caspian Sea. Among them, the most expensive is the albino beluga caviar “Almas” ($2 thousand per 100 g).

Companies from 21 countries are taking part in the development of oil fields in the Caspian Sea. According to Russian estimates, hydrocarbon reserves in the sea amount to 12 billion tons. American scientists claim that a fifth of the world's hydrocarbon reserves are concentrated in the depths of the Caspian Sea. This is more than the combined reserves of oil-producing countries such as Kuwait and Iraq.

Caspian Sea - the largest lake on Earth, endorheic, located at the junction of Europe and Asia, called a sea because of its size, as well as because its bed is composed of oceanic-type crust. The water in the Caspian Sea is salty, from 0.05 ‰ near the mouth of the Volga to 11-13 ‰ in the southeast. The water level is subject to fluctuations, according to 2009 data it was 27.16 m below sea level. The area of ​​the Caspian Sea is currently approximately 371,000 km², the maximum depth is 1025 m.

Geographical position

The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of two parts of the Eurasian continent - Europe and Asia. The length of the Caspian Sea from north to south is approximately 1200 kilometers (36°34"-47°13" N), from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, on average 310-320 kilometers (46°-56° c. d.). The Caspian Sea is conventionally divided according to physical and geographical conditions into 3 parts - the Northern Caspian, the Middle Caspian and the Southern Caspian. The conditional border between the Northern and Middle Caspian runs along the line of the island. Chechen - Cape Tyub-Karagansky, between the Middle and Southern Caspian Sea - along the line of the island. Residential - Cape Gan-Gulu. The area of ​​the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian Sea is 25, 36, 39 percent, respectively.

The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is estimated at approximately 6500-6700 kilometers, with islands - up to 7000 kilometers. The shores of the Caspian Sea in most of its territory are low-lying and smooth. In the northern part, the coastline is indented by water channels and islands of the Volga and Ural deltas, the banks are low and swampy, and the water surface in many places is covered with thickets. The east coast is dominated by limestone shores adjacent to semi-deserts and deserts. The most winding shores are on the western coast in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula and on the eastern coast in the area of ​​the Kazakh Gulf and Kara-Bogaz-Gol. The territory adjacent to the Caspian Sea is called the Caspian region.

Peninsulas of the Caspian Sea

Large peninsulas of the Caspian Sea:

• Agrakhan Peninsula
• The Absheron Peninsula, located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea on the territory of Azerbaijan, at the northeastern end of the Greater Caucasus, on its territory the cities of Baku and Sumgait are located
• Buzachi
• Mangyshlak, located on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of Kazakhstan, on its territory is the city of Aktau
• Miankale
• Tyub-Karagan

Islands of the Caspian Sea

There are about 50 large and medium-sized islands in the Caspian Sea with a total area of ​​approximately 350 square kilometers. Largest islands:

• Ashur-Ada
• Garasu
• Boyuk-Zira
• Zyanbil
• Cure Dashi
• Khara-Zira
• Ogurchinsky
• Sengi-Mugan
• Seal
• Seal Islands
• Chechen
• Chygyl

Bays of the Caspian Sea

Large bays of the Caspian Sea:

• Agrakhan Bay
• Kizlyar Bay
• Dead Kultuk (formerly Komsomolets, formerly Tsesarevich Bay)
• Kaydak
• Mangyshlaksky
• Kazakh
• Kenderli
• Turkmenbashi (bay) (formerly Krasnovodsk)
• Turkmen (bay)
• Gizilagach (formerly Kirov Bay)
• Astrakhan (bay)
• Hasan-kuli
• Gizlar
• Hyrcanus (formerly Astarabad)
• Anzeli (formerly Pahlavi)
• Kara-Bogaz-Gol

Rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea-130 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, of which 9 rivers have a delta-shaped mouth. Large rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea are the Volga, Terek, Sulak, Samur (Russia), Ural, Emba (Kazakhstan), Kura (Azerbaijan), Atrek (Turkmenistan), Sefidrud (Iran) and others. The largest river flowing into the Caspian Sea is the Volga, its average annual flow is 215-224 cubic kilometers. The Volga, Ural, Terek, Sulak and Emba provide up to 88-90% of the annual flow into the Caspian Sea.

Physiography

Area, depth, volume of water- the area and volume of water in the Caspian Sea varies significantly depending on fluctuations in water level. At a water level of −26.75 m, the area is approximately 371,000 square kilometers, the volume of water is 78,648 cubic kilometers, which is approximately 44% of the world's lake water reserves. The maximum depth of the Caspian Sea is in the South Caspian depression, 1025 meters from its surface level. In terms of maximum depth, the Caspian Sea is second only to Baikal (1620 m) and Tanganyika (1435 m). The average depth of the Caspian Sea, calculated from the bathygraphic curve, is 208 meters. At the same time, the northern part of the Caspian Sea is shallow, its maximum depth does not exceed 25 meters, and the average depth is 4 meters.

Water level fluctuations- the water level in the Caspian Sea is subject to significant fluctuations. According to modern science, over the past three thousand years, the magnitude of the change in the water level of the Caspian Sea has reached 15 meters. According to archeology and written sources, a high level of the Caspian Sea is recorded at the beginning of the 14th century. Instrumental measurements of the level of the Caspian Sea and systematic observations of its fluctuations have been carried out since 1837, during which time the highest water level was recorded in 1882 (−25.2 m), the lowest in 1977 (−29.0 m), with Since 1978, the water level has risen and in 1995 reached −26.7 m; since 1996, a downward trend has emerged again. Scientists associate the reasons for changes in the water level of the Caspian Sea with climatic, geological and anthropogenic factors. But in 2001, sea level began to rise again, and reached −26.3 m.

Water temperature- water temperature is subject to significant latitudinal changes, most clearly expressed in winter, when the temperature varies from 0-0.5 °C at the ice edge in the north of the sea to 10-11 °C in the south, that is, the water temperature difference is about 10 ° C. For shallow water areas with depths less than 25 m, the annual amplitude can reach 25-26 °C. On average, the water temperature off the west coast is 1-2 °C higher than that on the east, and in the open sea the water temperature is 2-4 °C higher than off the coasts.

Water composition- the salt composition of the waters of the closed Caspian Sea differs from the oceanic one. There are significant differences in the ratios of concentrations of salt-forming ions, especially for waters in areas directly influenced by continental runoff. The process of metamorphization of sea waters under the influence of continental runoff leads to a decrease in the relative content of chlorides in the total amount of salts of sea waters, an increase in the relative amount of carbonates, sulfates, calcium, which are the main components in the chemical composition of river waters. The most conservative ions are potassium, sodium, chlorine and magnesium. The least conservative are calcium and bicarbonate ions. In the Caspian Sea, the content of calcium and magnesium cations is almost two times higher than in the Sea of ​​Azov, and the sulfate anion is three times higher.

Bottom relief- the relief of the northern part of the Caspian Sea is a shallow undulating plain with banks and accumulative islands, the average depth of the Northern Caspian Sea is 4-8 meters, the maximum does not exceed 25 meters. The Mangyshlak threshold separates the Northern Caspian from the Middle Caspian. The Middle Caspian is quite deep, the water depth in the Derbent depression reaches 788 meters. The Absheron threshold separates the Middle and Southern Caspian Seas. The Southern Caspian is considered deep-sea; the water depth in the South Caspian depression reaches 1025 meters from the surface of the Caspian Sea. Shell sands are widespread on the Caspian shelf, deep-sea areas are covered with silty sediments, and in some areas there is an outcrop of bedrock.

Climate- the climate of the Caspian Sea is continental in the northern part, temperate in the middle and subtropical in the southern part. In winter, the average monthly air temperature varies from −8…−10 in the northern part to +8…+10 in the southern part, in summer - from +24…+25 in the northern part to +26…+27 in the southern part. The maximum temperature of +44 degrees was recorded on the east coast. The average annual precipitation is 200 millimeters, ranging from 90-100 millimeters in the arid eastern part to 1,700 millimeters along the southwestern subtropical coast. Evaporation of water from the surface of the Caspian Sea is about 1000 millimeters per year, the most intense evaporation in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula and in the eastern part of the South Caspian Sea is up to 1400 millimeters per year. The average annual wind speed is 3-7 meters per second, with northern winds prevailing in the wind rose. In the autumn and winter months, winds become stronger, with wind speeds often reaching 35-40 meters per second. The most windy areas are the Absheron Peninsula, the environs of Makhachkala and Derbent, where the highest wave of 11 meters was recorded.

Currents- water circulation in the Caspian Sea is associated with drainage and winds. Since most of the drainage occurs in the Northern Caspian Sea, northern currents predominate. An intense northern current carries water from the Northern Caspian along the western coast to the Absheron Peninsula, where the current divides into two branches, one of which moves further along the western coast, the other goes to the Eastern Caspian.

Economic development of the Caspian Sea

Mining of oil and gas-Many oil and gas fields are being developed in the Caspian Sea. Proven oil resources in the Caspian Sea are about 10 billion tons, total oil and gas condensate resources are estimated at 18-20 billion tons. Oil production in the Caspian Sea began in 1820, when the first oil well was drilled on the Absheron shelf near Baku. In the second half of the 19th century, oil production began on an industrial scale on the Absheron Peninsula, and then in other territories. In 1949, oil was first produced at Neftyanye Kamni from the bottom of the Caspian Sea. So, on August 24 of this year, Mikhail Kaverochkin’s team began drilling a well, which yielded the long-awaited oil on November 7 of the same year. In addition to oil and gas production, salt, limestone, stone, sand, and clay are also mined on the coast of the Caspian Sea and the Caspian shelf.

Shipping- Shipping is developed in the Caspian Sea. There are ferry crossings on the Caspian Sea, in particular, Baku - Turkmenbashi, Baku - Aktau, Makhachkala - Aktau. The Caspian Sea has a shipping connection with the Sea of ​​Azov through the Volga, Don and Volga-Don Canal rivers.

Fishing and seafood production-fishing (sturgeon, bream, carp, pike perch, sprat), caviar production, as well as seal fishing. More than 90 percent of the world's sturgeon catch occurs in the Caspian Sea. In addition to industrial mining, illegal fishing of sturgeon and their caviar flourishes in the Caspian Sea.

Legal status of the Caspian Sea- after the collapse of the USSR, the division of the Caspian Sea for a long time was and still remains the subject of unresolved disagreements related to the division of the resources of the Caspian shelf - oil and gas, as well as biological resources. For a long time, negotiations were ongoing between the Caspian states on the status of the Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan insisted on dividing the Caspian along the median line, Iran insisted on dividing the Caspian by one-fifth between all Caspian states. The current legal regime of the Caspian was established by the Soviet-Iranian treaties of 1921 and 1940 These treaties provide for freedom of navigation throughout the sea, freedom of fishing with the exception of ten-mile national fishing zones and a ban on vessels flying the flag of non-Caspian states sailing in its waters. Negotiations on the legal status of the Caspian Sea are currently ongoing.

General information. According to its geological position, the Caspian Sea is located in the meridional direction from north to south, located between the parallels of 47° 05′ and 36°35′ north latitude and the meridians 46°45′ and 54°45′ east longitude. The length of the sea is 1200 km, width 435 km. The smallest width of the sea along the parallel of 40° 18′ northern latitude is 204 km. Corresponds to the border between the middle and southern parts of the sea from the Swan Stone sign on the Absheron Peninsula to Cape KuliMayak on the Krasnovodsk Peninsula.

In accordance with the geological structure and physical geographical position, the Caspian Sea is divided into three parts: the Northern, Middle and South Caspian basins. The bottom topography is complex and consists of geotectonic structures of different ages.

The North Caspian depression represents the southern part of the Russian Platform. The Middle Caspian basin represents a continuation of the Mesozoic structures of the Greater Caucasus, Mountainous Mangyshlak, Kubadag, and Greater Balkhan. The Southern Caspian Sea represents a huge trough zone of the Alpine Intermountain Basin. The border between the northern and middle Caspian Sea runs along the line connecting the island of Chechen with Cape Tyub-Karagan, between the middle and southern parts of the sea along the line from the Absheron Peninsula to the Krasnovodsk Peninsula. The shores of the Caspian Sea were formed as a result of a combination of geological processes.

RELIEF. The Northern Caspian Sea occupies 24.3% of the area, but only 0.5% of the volume of the Caspian Sea. The total area is 91942 km2, the volume of water is 397 km3. The depth of the sea here does not exceed 410 m. The bottom topography is a slightly undulating accumulative plain, with a series of banks and islands. Bottom sediments are mainly siltstones, sands, silt, large banks consisting of accumulations of concrete and whole shells. The sediments of the Volga and Ural rivers flowing into the sea here form many shoals and banks, which, given the generally shallow waters of this area, are dangerous for the navigation of sea vessels. Between the delta of the Ural River and the Buzachinsky Peninsula there is a shallow (8 m) extensive depression called the Ural Furrow.

On the east coast are the Buzachi Peninsula, Sor Kaidak, Dead Kultuk and the Western cliffs of Ustyurt. The shores of the Northern Caspian are low and gently undulating, accumulative, and easily flooded. The Northern Caspian Sea is part of the Caspian Lowland. The bottom of the basin is filled with sediments from the Volga and Ural rivers. The Volga, Ural, Terek and Emba rivers flow into the Northern Caspian Sea (during heavy floods). River deltas are divided into hundreds of branches, channels, and form numerous small islands. The Middle Caspian occupies 140 thousand km2 of area, the volume of water is 26,439 km. The Middle Caspian accounts for 36.4% of the total area and 33.9% of the total volume of the sea (Kasymov A.G., 1987). The maximum depth is 788 m, the average is 192 m. The greatest depth is confined to the Derbent depression. The bottom topography differs sharply from the topography of the North Caspian basin. Here the following are clearly distinguished: the shelf, the continental slope and the bottom of the depression. The shelf of the western coast is narrow, the continental slope of the Derbent depression is narrow and steep. The shelf of the eastern coast is wide on the northern rather gentle slope; relics of ancient river valleys have been discovered. In the south, the Middle Caspian depression is separated from the Southern Caspian by the Alsheron structural thresholds, on which a number of banks and islands are located.

The shores of the Northern Caspian are steep, steep, and denudable. The western coast is picturesque, with spurs of the Greater Caucasus Range stretching here. The eastern coast is deserted. The cliffs of Ustyurt and the mountain systems of Mangyshlak, Tuarkyr, Kubadag-Kubansengir and Big Balkhan rise above the sea. In the east, among the Neogene hills, there are numerous drainage basins and the KarabogazGol Bay. The Middle Caspian is separated from the South by the Absheron threshold, which represents underwater hills stretching from the Absheron Peninsula to the Kubadag Kubasengir mountain system.

The Southern Caspian is the deepest, seismically active moving part. The total area is 148,640 km or 39.3% of the area of ​​the entire Caspian Sea. The volume of water is 51245 km3 or 65.6% of the total volume of the sea. The maximum depth is 1025 m, the average depth is 345 m. The topography of the seabed is complex, with a shelf, continental slope, deep depressions and underwater ridges. The width of the shelf on the eastern part is 130 km, on the western coast - 43 km. The coastline of the western part is varied. From the city of Baku to Cape Alyat, spurs of the Caucasus Mountains stretch, then the Kura-Araks lowland and the delta of the Kura River are located. Here the coast is low and accumulative. The eastern coast of the Southern Caspian is deserted, low-lying, accumulative, and easily flooded. The vast Western Turkmen oil and gas region is located here. The relief consists of sand dunes, with salt marshes and takyrs located between them.

HYDROLOGY. The Caspian Sea, as an isolated water basin, has its own special hydrological regime. The uniqueness of this regime is determined by a number of factors: climatic conditions, river flow, sea depths and bottom topography, terrain, and the nature of the banks. River flow significantly affects the distribution of temperature, precipitation, salinity and water density. The large rivers Volga, Ural, Emba flow into the northern part of the sea, the total flow is about 83% of the total annual flow of river water into the Caspian Sea. On the western coast, the rivers Sulak, Terek, Kura and a number of smaller ones flow into the rivers, giving only 7% of the annual flow. The remaining 5% of the flow falls on the rivers of the Iranian coast (Gorgan, Kherad, Sefidrud). There are no permanent drains on the east coast. Ice mode. The depth and topography of the bottom play an important role in the hydrological regime of the sea. The deep-water parts of the sea contribute to the accumulation of heat in the summer, the flow of which greatly affects the distribution of water temperature in winter (Lotsia, 1975). In winter, the shallow waters of the Northern Caspian and low air temperatures contribute to significant ice cover in this part of the sea. The entire Northern Caspian Sea is completely covered with ice at the end of December, the ice thickness reaches 40-100 cm. Near the city of Aktau, during severe winters, the ice cover can last up to six months. Storm winds break up the ice and form layers of hummocks up to 12 meters high.

Geographical position The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of two parts of the Eurasian continent - Europe and Asia. The Caspian Sea is shaped like the Latin letter S, the length of the Caspian Sea from north to south is approximately 1200 kilometers (36°34" - 47°13" N), from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, on average kilometers (46° - 56° E). The Caspian Sea is conventionally divided according to physical and geographical conditions into 3 parts - the Northern Caspian, the Middle Caspian and the Southern Caspian. The conditional border between the Northern and Middle Caspian Seas is along the line Chechen (island) - Tyub-Karagansky Cape, between the Middle and Southern Caspian Seas - along the line Zhilaya (island) - Gan-Gulu (cape). The area of ​​the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian Sea is 25, 36, 39 percent, respectively. Coast of the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan.

Coastline The coastline of the Caspian Sea is estimated to be approximately kilometers long, with islands up to 7,000 kilometers long. The shores of the Caspian Sea in most of its territory are low-lying and smooth. In the northern part, the coastline is indented by water streams and islands of the Volga and Ural deltas, the banks are low and swampy, and the water surface in many places is covered with thickets. The east coast is dominated by limestone shores adjacent to semi-deserts and deserts. The most winding shores are on the western coast in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula and on the eastern coast in the area of ​​the Kazakh Gulf and Kara-Bogaz-Gol. The coastline of the Caspian Sea is estimated to be approximately kilometers long, with islands up to 7,000 kilometers long. The shores of the Caspian Sea in most of its territory are low-lying and smooth. In the northern part, the coastline is indented by water streams and islands of the Volga and Ural deltas, the banks are low and swampy, and the water surface in many places is covered with thickets. The east coast is dominated by limestone shores adjacent to semi-deserts and deserts. The most winding shores are on the west coast in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula and on the east coast in the area of ​​the Kazakh Gulf and Kara-Bogaz-Gol

Area, depth, volume of water The area and volume of water of the Caspian Sea varies significantly depending on fluctuations in water level. With a water level of 26.75 m, the area was approximately square kilometers, the volume of water was cubic kilometers, representing approximately 44 percent of the world's lake water reserves. The maximum depth of the Caspian Sea is in the South Caspian depression, 1025 meters from its surface level. In terms of maximum depth, the Caspian Sea is second only to Baikal (1620 m) and Tanganyika (1435 m). The average depth of the Caspian Sea, calculated from the bathygraphic curve, is 208 meters. At the same time, the northern part of the Caspian Sea is shallow, its maximum depth does not exceed 25 meters, and the average depth is 4 meters.

Water level fluctuations The water level in the Caspian Sea is subject to significant fluctuations. According to modern science, over the past 3 thousand years the amplitude of changes in the water level of the Caspian Sea has been 15 meters. Instrumental measurements of the level of the Caspian Sea and systematic observations of its fluctuations have been carried out since 1837, during which time the highest water level was recorded in 1882 (-25.2 m), the lowest in 1977 (-29.0 m), Since 1978, the water level has been decreasing and in 1995 reached 26.6 m; since 1996, an upward trend has emerged again. Scientists associate the reasons for changes in the water level of the Caspian Sea with climatic, geological and anthropological factors. The water level in the Caspian Sea is subject to significant fluctuations. According to modern science, over the past 3 thousand years the amplitude of changes in the water level of the Caspian Sea has been 15 meters. Instrumental measurements of the level of the Caspian Sea and systematic observations of its fluctuations have been carried out since 1837, during which time the highest water level was recorded in 1882 (-25.2 m), the lowest in 1977 (-29.0 m), Since 1978, the water level has been decreasing and in 1995 reached 26.6 m; since 1996, an upward trend has emerged again. Scientists associate the reasons for changes in the water level of the Caspian Sea with climatic, geological and anthropological factors.

Temperature and composition of water The average monthly water temperature of the Caspian Sea ranges from 0 degrees in the northern part to +10 in the southern part, and approximately throughout the Caspian Sea in the summer months. At great depths, the water temperature is approximately and practically does not undergo seasonal changes. The average monthly water temperature of the Caspian Sea ranges from 0 degrees in the northern part to +10 in the southern part, and approximately throughout the Caspian Sea in the summer months. At great depths, the water temperature is approximately and practically does not undergo seasonal changes. In winter, part of the surface of the Caspian Sea freezes. In the northern part of the Caspian Sea, the surface is covered with a layer of ice up to 2 meters thick; freezing begins in mid-November; ice melting begins at the end of February. The freezing boundary runs approximately along the line of the Chechen island of Mangyshlak; on the Absheron Peninsula, the formation and drift of ice is observed approximately once a year. The salinity of the water of the Caspian Sea varies from 0.3 ppm in the northern part near the Volga delta to 13.5 ppm near the southeastern shores; in most of the Caspian Sea it is 12.6–13.2 ppm. In winter, due to the freezing of the Volga, the salinity of water in the northern part of the Caspian Sea increases. In winter, part of the surface of the Caspian Sea freezes. In the northern part of the Caspian Sea, the surface is covered with a layer of ice up to 2 meters thick; freezing begins in mid-November; ice melting begins at the end of February. The freezing boundary runs approximately along the line of the Chechen island of Mangyshlak; on the Absheron Peninsula, the formation and drift of ice is observed approximately once a year. The salinity of the water of the Caspian Sea varies from 0.3 ppm in the northern part near the Volga delta to 13.5 ppm near the southeastern shores; in most of the Caspian Sea it is 12.6–13.2 ppm. In winter, due to the freezing of the Volga, the salinity of water in the northern part of the Caspian Sea increases.

Peninsulas and islands of the Caspian Sea Large peninsulas of the Caspian Sea: Large peninsulas of the Caspian Sea: Agrakhan Peninsula Agrakhan Peninsula Absheron Peninsula, located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea in the territory of Azerbaijan, at the north-eastern end of the Greater Caucasus, on its territory are the cities of Baku and Sumgayit Absheron Peninsula, located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea on the territory of Azerbaijan, at the north-eastern end of the Greater Caucasus, on its territory are the cities of Baku and Sumgait Buzachi Buzachi Mangyshlak, located on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of Kazakhstan, on its territory is the city of Aktau. Mangyshlak is located on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of Kazakhstan, on its territory is the city of Aktau. Tub-Karagan Tub-Karagan

Islands of the Caspian Sea There are about 50 large and medium-sized islands in the Caspian Sea with a total area of ​​approximately 350 square kilometers. There are about 50 large and medium-sized islands in the Caspian Sea with a total area of ​​approximately 350 square kilometers. The largest islands: The largest islands: Ashur-Ada Ashur-Ada Garasu Garasu Gum Gum Dash Dash Zira (island) Zira (island) Zyanbil Zyanbil Kur Dashy Kur Dashy Khara-Zira Khara-Zira Sengi-Mugan Sengi-Mugan Chechen (island) Chechen (island) Chygyl Chygyl

Bays of the Caspian Sea Large bays of the Caspian Sea: Large bays of the Caspian Sea: Agrakhan Bay, Agrakhan Bay, Komsomolets (bay), Komsomolets (bay), Mangyshlak, Mangyshlak, Kazakh (bay), Kazakh (bay), Turkmenbashi (bay) (formerly Krasnovodsk ), Turkmenbashi (bay) (former Krasnovodsk), Turkmen (bay), Turkmen (bay), Gyzylagach, Gyzylagach, Astrakhan (bay) Astrakhan (bay) Gyzlar Gyzlar Girkan (former Astarabad) and Girkan (former Astarabad) and Anzeli (former Pahlavi). Anzali (formerly Pahlavi).

Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay Kara-Bogaz-Gol in September 1995 Bay Kara-Bogaz-Gol in September 1995 On the eastern coast there is a salt lake Kara Bogaz Gol, which until 1980 was a bay-lagoon of the Caspian Sea, connected to it by a narrow strait . In 1980, a dam was built separating Kara-Bogaz-Gol from the Caspian Sea, and in 1984 a culvert was built, after which the level of Kara-Bogaz-Gol dropped by several meters. In 1992, the strait was restored, through which water flows from the Caspian Sea to Kara-Bogaz-Gol and evaporates there. Every year, 8-10 cubic kilometers of water (according to other sources, 25 thousand kilometers) and about 150 thousand tons of salt flow into Kara-Bogaz-Gol from the Caspian Sea.

Rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea Volga Delta. View from space. 130 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, of which 9 rivers have a delta-shaped mouth. Large rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea are Volga, Terek (Russia), Ural, Emba (Kazakhstan), Kura (Azerbaijan), Samur (Russian border with Azerbaijan), Atrek (Turkmenistan) and others. The largest river flowing into the Caspian Sea is the Volga, its average annual flow is cubic kilometers. The Volga, Ural, Terek and Emba provide up to the annual drainage of the Caspian Sea.

Caspian Sea Basin Caspian Sea Basin The area of ​​the Caspian Sea basin is approximately 3.1 3.5 million square kilometers, which is approximately 10 percent of the world's closed water basin area. The length of the Caspian Sea basin from north to south is about 2500 kilometers, from west to east about 1000 kilometers. The Caspian Sea basin covers 9 states: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.

Currents Water circulation in the Caspian Sea is related to runoff and winds. Since most of the drainage occurs in the Northern Caspian Sea, northern currents predominate. An intense northern current carries water from the Northern Caspian along the western coast to the Absheron Peninsula, where the current divides into two branches, one of which moves further along the western coast, the other goes to the Eastern Caspian. Water circulation in the Caspian Sea is related to runoff and winds. Since most of the drainage occurs in the Northern Caspian Sea, northern currents predominate. An intense northern current carries water from the Northern Caspian along the western coast to the Absheron Peninsula, where the current divides into two branches, one of which moves further along the western coast, the other goes to the Eastern Caspian.

Bottom topography The topography of the northern part of the Caspian Sea is a shallow undulating plain with banks and accumulative islands, the average depth of the Northern Caspian Sea is about 4-8 meters, the maximum does not exceed 25 meters. The Mangyshlak threshold separates the Northern Caspian from the Middle Caspian. The Middle Caspian is quite deep, the water depth in the Derbent depression reaches 788 meters. The Absheron threshold separates the Middle and Southern Caspian Seas. The South Caspian Sea is considered deep-water; the water depth in the South Caspian depression reaches 1025 meters from the surface of the Caspian Sea. Shell sands are widespread on the Caspian shelf, deep-sea areas are covered with silty sediments, and in some areas there is an outcrop of bedrock. The relief of the northern part of the Caspian Sea is a shallow undulating plain with banks and accumulative islands, the average depth of the Northern Caspian Sea is about 4-8 meters, the maximum does not exceed 25 meters. The Mangyshlak threshold separates the Northern Caspian from the Middle Caspian. The Middle Caspian is quite deep, the water depth in the Derbent depression reaches 788 meters. The Absheron threshold separates the Middle and Southern Caspian Seas. The South Caspian Sea is considered deep-water; the water depth in the South Caspian depression reaches 1025 meters from the surface of the Caspian Sea. Shell sands are widespread on the Caspian shelf, deep-sea areas are covered with silty sediments, and in some areas there is an outcrop of bedrock.

Climate The climate of the Caspian Sea is continental in the northern part, temperate in the middle and subtropical in the southern part. In winter, the average monthly temperature of the Caspian Sea varies from 8 10 in the northern part to in the southern part, in summer from in the northern part to in the southern part. The maximum temperature recorded on the east coast was 44 degrees. Average annual precipitation is 200 millimeters per year, ranging from millimeters in the arid eastern part to 1,700 millimeters along the southwestern subtropical coast. The evaporation of water from the surface of the Caspian Sea is about 1000 millimeters per year, the most intense evaporation in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula and in the eastern part of the South Caspian Sea is up to 1400 millimeters per year. On the territory of the Caspian Sea, winds often blow, their average annual speed is 3-7 meters per second, and northern winds predominate in the wind rose. In the autumn and winter months, winds become stronger, with wind speeds often reaching meters per second. The most windy areas are the Absheron Peninsula and the outskirts of Makhachkala and Derbent, where the highest wave of 11 meters was recorded. On the territory of the Caspian Sea, winds often blow, their average annual speed is 3-7 meters per second, and northern winds predominate in the wind rose. In the autumn and winter months, winds become stronger, with wind speeds often reaching meters per second. The most windy areas are the Absheron Peninsula and the outskirts of Makhachkala and Derbent, where the highest wave of 11 meters was recorded.

Fauna and flora The fauna of the Caspian Sea is represented by 1809 species, of which 415 are vertebrates. 101 species of fish are registered in the Caspian world, where most of the world's sturgeon reserves are concentrated, as well as freshwater fish such as roach, carp, and pike perch. The Caspian Sea is the habitat of fish such as carp, mullet, sprat, kutum, bream, salmon, perch, and pike. The Caspian Sea is also home to the marine mammal Caspian seal. The fauna of the Caspian Sea is represented by 1809 species, of which 415 are vertebrates. 101 species of fish are registered in the Caspian world, where most of the world's sturgeon reserves are concentrated, as well as freshwater fish such as roach, carp, and pike perch. The Caspian Sea is the habitat of fish such as carp, mullet, sprat, kutum, bream, salmon, perch, and pike. The Caspian Sea is also home to the marine mammal Caspian seal. The flora of the Caspian Sea and its coast is represented by 728 species. Among the plants in the Caspian Sea, the predominant algae are blue-green, diatoms, red, brown, characeae and others, from the flowering zoster and ruppia. By origin, the fauna belongs mainly to the Neogene age, however, some plants were brought into the Caspian Sea by humans deliberately or on the bottoms of ships. The flora of the Caspian Sea and its coast is represented by 728 species. Among the plants in the Caspian Sea, the predominant algae are blue-green, diatoms, red, brown, characeae and others, from the flowering zoster and ruppia. By origin, the fauna belongs mainly to the Neogene age, however, some plants were brought into the Caspian Sea by humans deliberately or on the bottoms of ships.

Oil and gas production Many oil and gas fields are being developed in the Caspian Sea. Proven oil resources in the Caspian Sea amount to about 10 billion tons; total oil and gas condensate resources are estimated at billions of tons. Many oil and gas fields are being developed in the Caspian Sea. Proven oil resources in the Caspian Sea amount to about 10 billion tons; total oil and gas condensate resources are estimated at billions of tons. Oil production in the Caspian Sea began in 1820, when the first oil well was drilled on the Absheron shelf. In the second half of the 19th century, oil production began on an industrial scale on the Absheron Peninsula, and then in other territories. Oil production in the Caspian Sea began in 1820, when the first oil well was drilled on the Absheron shelf. In the second half of the 19th century, oil production began on an industrial scale on the Absheron Peninsula, and then in other territories. In addition to oil and gas production, salt, limestone, stone, sand, and clay are also mined on the coast of the Caspian Sea and the Caspian shelf. In addition to oil and gas production, salt, limestone, stone, sand, and clay are also mined on the coast of the Caspian Sea and the Caspian shelf.

Shipping, fishing and seafood production Shipping is developed in the Caspian Sea. There are ferry crossings on the Caspian Sea, in particular, Baku Turkmenbashi, Baku Aktau, Makhachkala Aktau. The Caspian Sea has a shipping connection with the Sea of ​​Azov through the Volga, Don and Volga-Don Canal. Shipping is developed in the Caspian Sea. There are ferry crossings on the Caspian Sea, in particular, Baku Turkmenbashi, Baku Aktau, Makhachkala Aktau. The Caspian Sea has a shipping connection with the Sea of ​​Azov through the Volga, Don and Volga-Don Canal rivers. Fishing (sturgeon, bream, carp, pike perch, sprat), caviar production, as well as seal fishing. More than 90 percent of the world's sturgeon catch occurs in the Caspian Sea. In addition to industrial production, illegal production of sturgeon and their caviar flourishes in the Caspian Sea. Fishing (sturgeon, bream, carp, pike perch, sprat), caviar production, as well as seal fishing. More than 90 percent of the world's sturgeon catch occurs in the Caspian Sea. In addition to industrial mining, illegal fishing of sturgeon and their caviar flourishes in the Caspian Sea.

Recreational resources The natural environment of the Caspian coast with sandy beaches, mineral waters and healing mud in the coastal zone creates good conditions for recreation and treatment. At the same time, in terms of the degree of development of resorts and the tourism industry, the Caspian coast is noticeably inferior to the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. At the same time, in recent years, the tourism industry has been actively developing on the coasts of Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Russian Dagestan. The natural environment of the Caspian coast with sandy beaches, mineral waters and healing mud in the coastal zone creates good conditions for recreation and treatment. At the same time, in terms of the degree of development of resorts and the tourism industry, the Caspian coast is noticeably inferior to the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. At the same time, in recent years, the tourism industry has been actively developing on the coasts of Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Russian Dagestan.

Environmental problems Environmental problems of the Caspian Sea are associated with water pollution as a result of oil production and transportation on the continental shelf, the flow of pollutants from the Volga and other rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea, the life of coastal cities, as well as the flooding of individual objects due to rising levels of the Caspian Sea . Predatory production of sturgeon and their caviar, rampant poaching lead to a decrease in the number of sturgeon and to forced restrictions on their production and export. Environmental problems of the Caspian Sea are associated with water pollution as a result of oil production and transportation on the continental shelf, the flow of pollutants from the Volga and other rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea, the life of coastal cities, as well as the flooding of individual objects due to rising levels of the Caspian Sea. Predatory production of sturgeon and their caviar, rampant poaching lead to a decrease in the number of sturgeon and to forced restrictions on their production and export.