I rested somehow in the camp. It's no secret that almost every day there are competitions for the entertainment of children and youth. So. Was we have quiz. Question: "Which lake is the largest?" One guy of about fifteen was the first to raise his hand and answer: "Baikal." The strangest thing was that his answer was counted as correct! How so? Isn't the Caspian Sea the most big lake? Now I will explain to you.

How to distinguish the sea from the lake

I will list several signs by which a body of water is defined as a sea.

1. Rivers can flow into the sea.

2. The outer sea has direct access to the ocean.

3. If the sea is inland, then it is connected by straits with other seas or directly with the ocean.

Is the Caspian Sea suitable for the parameters of the sea

Need to check, does the Caspian Sea have signs of a sea. into it really rivers flow, but they flow into many bodies of water: seas, lakes, oceans, and other rivers. The Caspian Sea is surrounded from all sides dry land. Is it really inland sea? Then it must connect with Black or Seas of Azov some strait. Strait Same No. Exactly due to the lack of access to the World Ocean, the Caspian Sea is considered a lake.

“But why was it then called the sea, if it is a lake?”- you ask. Answer very simple: because of his large size and salinity. Indeed, The Caspian Sea is several times larger than the Sea of ​​Azov and almost the same size as the Baltic Sea..

Great! The quiz issue has been resolved. Soap judge!!!

Well then I told, that the Caspian Sea In fact - lake. Now I want to you provide small compilation interesting facts about this lake.

1. The Caspian Sea is below sea level (-28 m), which once again proves that this is a lake.

2. BC around the lake area lived nomadic Caspian tribes,in honor of which he was nicknamed the Caspian.

3. It the deepest enclosed body of water on the planet.

4. Many believe that the name of the group "Caspian cargo" is related to the Caspian Sea. In a way they are right No). In fact the expression "Caspian cargo" can refer to any illegal cargo.

5.Caspian Sea Fine suitable for tourism. Under the USSR, it was built here a large number of sanatoriums. Today same here you can see many hotels, water parks and beaches.

The Caspian Sea is located in different geographical zones. It plays a big role in world history, is an important economic region and source of resources. The Caspian Sea is a unique body of water.

Short description

This sea is large. The bottom is covered with oceanic bark. These factors make it possible to classify it as a sea.

It is a closed reservoir, has no drains and is not connected with the waters of the oceans. Therefore, it can also be attributed to the category of lakes. In this case, it will be the largest lake on the planet.

The approximate area of ​​the Caspian Sea is about 370 thousand square kilometers. The volume of the sea changes depending on the various fluctuations in the water level. The average value is 80 thousand cubic kilometers. The depth varies in its parts: the southern one has a greater depth than the northern one. The average depth is 208 meters, the highest value in the southern part exceeds 1000 meters.

The Caspian Sea plays an important role in the development of trade relations between the countries. The resources mined in it, as well as other trade items, were transported to different countries since the development of navigation at sea. Since the Middle Ages, merchants have delivered exotic goods, spices and furs. Today, in addition to the transportation of resources, by sea, ferry crossings between cities. The Caspian Sea is also connected by a navigable canal through the rivers with the Sea of ​​Azov.

Geographic characteristics

The Caspian Sea is located between two continents - Europe and Asia. Washes the territory of several countries. These are Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

It has more than 50 islands, both large and small in size. For example, the islands of Ashur-Ada, Tyuleniy, Chigil, Gum, Zenbil. As well as the peninsulas, the most significant - Absheron, Mangyshlak, Agrakhan and others.

The Caspian Sea receives the main influx of water resources from the rivers flowing into it. In total, there are 130 tributaries of this reservoir. The largest is the Volga River, which brings the bulk of the water. The Kheras, Ural, Terek, Astarchay, Kura, Sulak and many others rivers also flow into it.

The waters of this sea form many bays. Among the largest are: Agrakhansky, Kizlyarsky, Turkmenbashi, Girkan Bay. In the eastern part there is a bay-lake called Kara-Bogaz-Gol. It communicates with the sea by a small strait.

Climate

The climate is characterized by the geographical location of the sea, therefore it has several types: from continental in the northern region to subtropical in the south. This affects the air and water temperatures, which have great contrasts depending on the part of the sea, especially in the cold season.

in winter average temperature air in the northern region is about -10 degrees, water reaches a value of -1 degree.

IN southern region the temperature of air and water in winter warms up to an average of +10 degrees.

IN summer time air temperature in northern zone reaches +25 degrees. Much hotter in the south. The maximum recorded value here is + 44 degrees.

Resources

Natural resources Caspian Sea contain large reserves of various deposits.

One of the most valuable resources of the Caspian Sea is oil. Mining has been carried out since about 1820. Springs were opened on the territory of the seabed and its coast. By the beginning of the new century, the Caspian was at the forefront in obtaining this valuable product. During this time, thousands of wells were opened, which made it possible to extract oil on a huge industrial scale.

The Caspian Sea and the territory adjacent to it also have rich deposits of natural gas, mineral salts, sand, lime, several types of natural clay and rocks.

Inhabitants and fisheries

The biological resources of the Caspian Sea are very diverse and highly productive. It contains more than 1500 species of inhabitants, rich in commercial fish species. The population depends on climatic conditions in different parts of the sea.

In the northern part of the sea, pike perch, bream, catfish, asp, pike and other species are more common. Gobies, mullet, bream, herring live in the western and eastern. Southern waters are rich in various representatives. One of the many are sturgeons. According to their content, this sea occupies a leading place among other reservoirs.

Among the wide variety, tuna, beluga, stellate sturgeon, sprat and many others are also caught. In addition, there are mollusks, crayfish, echinoderms and jellyfish.

The mammal Caspian seal lives in the Caspian Sea, or This animal is unique and lives only in these waters.

The sea is also characterized by a high content of various algae, for example, blue-green, red, brown; sea ​​grass and phytoplankton.

Ecology

The extraction and transportation of oil has a huge negative impact on the ecological situation of the sea. The ingress of oil products into water is almost inevitable. Oil stains cause irreparable damage to marine habitats.

The main inflow of water resources to the Caspian Sea is provided by rivers. Unfortunately, most of them have high level pollution that degrades the quality of sea water.

Industrial and domestic effluents from the surrounding cities are poured into the sea in large quantities, which also damages the environment.

Poaching causes great damage to the marine habitat. Sturgeon species are the main target for illegal catching. This significantly reduces the number of sturgeon and threatens the entire population of this type.

The above information will help to assess the resources of the Caspian Sea, to briefly study the characteristics and ecological situation of this unique reservoir.

CaspAndmOre(Caspian) - the largest enclosed body of water on Earth. In size, the Caspian Sea is much larger than such lakes as the Upper, Victoria, Huron, Michigan, Baikal. According to formal features, the Caspian Sea is an endorheic lake. However, given its large size, brackish waters and sea-like regime, this body of water is called the sea.

According to one hypothesis, the Caspian Sea (among the ancient Slavs - the Khvalyn Sea) got its name in honor of the Caspian tribes who lived before our era on its southwestern coast.

The Caspian Sea washes the shores of five states: Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

The Caspian Sea is elongated in the meridional direction and is located between 36°33' and 47°07' N latitude. and 45°43΄ and 54°03΄ E (without Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay). The length of the sea along the meridian is about 1200 km; the average width is 310 km. The northern coast of the Caspian Sea is bordered by the Caspian lowland, the eastern coast by the deserts of Central Asia; in the west, the mountains of the Caucasus approach the sea, in the south, near the coast, the Elburz ridge stretches.

The surface of the Caspian Sea is much lower than the level of the World Ocean. Its current level fluctuates around -27 ... -28 m. These levels correspond to the sea surface area of ​​​​390 and 380 thousand km 2 (without the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay), the volume of water is 74.15 and 73.75 thousand km 3, average depth is about 190 m.

The Caspian Sea is traditionally divided into three large parts: the North (24% of the sea area), the Middle (36%) and the South Caspian (40%), which differ significantly in morphology and regime, as well as the large and isolated Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay. The northern, shelf part of the sea is shallow: its average depth is 5–6 m, maximum depths are 15–25 m, and the volume is less than 1% of the total water mass of the sea. The Middle Caspian is a separate basin with the area of ​​maximum depths in the Derbent depression (788 m); its average depth is about 190 m. In the South Caspian, the average and maximum depths are 345 and 1025 m (in the South Caspian depression); 65% of the water mass of the sea is concentrated here.

There are about 50 islands in the Caspian Sea with total area approximately 400 km 2 ; the main ones are Tyuleniy, Chechen, Zyudev, Konevsky, Dzhambaysky, Durneva, Ogurchinsky, Apsheronsky. The length of the coastline is approximately 6.8 thousand km, with islands - up to 7.5 thousand km. The shores of the Caspian Sea are diverse. In the northern and eastern parts, they are quite strongly indented. There are large bays Kizlyarsky, Komsomolets, Mangyshlaksky, Kazakhsky, Kara-Bogaz-Gol, Krasnovodsky and Turkmensky, many bays; off the western coast - Kyzylagach. The largest peninsulas are Agrakhansky, Buzachi, Tyub-Karagan, Mangyshlak, Krasnovodsky, Cheleken and Apsheronsky. The most common banks are accumulative; areas with abrasion shores are found along the contour of the Middle and South Caspian.

More than 130 rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, the largest of which is the Volga. , Ural, Terek, Sulak, Samur, Kura, Sefidrud, Atrek, Emba (its runoff enters the sea only in high-water years). Nine rivers have deltas; the largest are located at the mouths of the Volga and Terek.

The main feature of the Caspian Sea, as a drainless reservoir, is instability and a wide range of long-term fluctuations in its level. This most important hydrological feature of the Caspian Sea has a significant impact on all its other hydrological characteristics, as well as on the structure and regime of river mouths, on coastal zones. In the Caspian Sea level varied in the range of ~200 m: from -140 to +50 m BS; in from -34 to -20 m BS. From the first third of the 19th century and until 1977, sea level dropped by about 3.8 m - to the lowest point in the last 400 years (-29.01 m BS). In 1978–1995 The level of the Caspian Sea rose by 2.35 m and reached -26.66 m BS. Since 1995, a certain downward trend has dominated - to -27.69 m BS in 2013.

During major periods, the northern shore of the Caspian Sea shifted to Samarskaya Luka on the Volga, and perhaps even further. At maximum transgressions, the Caspian turned into a sewage lake: excess water flowed through the Kuma-Manych depression into the Sea of ​​Azov and further into the Black Sea. In extreme regressions, the southern coast of the Caspian Sea was shifted to the Apsheron threshold.

Long-term fluctuations in the level of the Caspian are explained by changes in the structure of the water balance of the Caspian Sea. The sea level rises when the incoming part of the water balance (primarily river runoff) increases and exceeds the outgoing part, and decreases if the inflow of river waters decreases. The total water flow of all rivers averages 300 km 3 /year; while the five largest rivers account for almost 95% (the Volga provides 83%). During the period of the lowest sea level, in 1942–1977, the river flow was 275.3 km 3 / year (of which 234.6 km 3 / year is the flow of the Volga), precipitation - 70.9, underground flow - 4 km 3 /year, and evaporation and outflow to the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay - 354.79 and 9.8 km 3 /year. During the period of intensive sea level rise, in 1978-1995, respectively, 315 (Volga - 274.1), 86.1, 4, 348.79 and 8.7 km 3 / year; in the modern period - 287.4 (Volga - 248.2), 75.3, 4, 378.3 and 16.3 km 3 / year.

The intra-annual changes in the level of the Caspian Sea are characterized by a maximum in June–July and a minimum in February; the range of intra-annual level fluctuations is 30–40 cm. Surge-surge level fluctuations are manifested throughout the sea, but they are most significant in the northern part, where, with maximum surges, the level can rise by 2–4.5 m and the edge “retreat” by several tens of kilometers inland, and in case of surges - to drop by 1–2.5 m. Seiche and tidal level fluctuations do not exceed 0.1–0.2 m.

Despite the relatively small size of the reservoir in the Caspian Sea, there is strong excitement. The highest wave heights in the South Caspian can reach 10–11 m. Wave heights decrease from south to north. Storm waves can develop at any time of the year, but more often and more dangerously in the cold half of the year.

The Caspian Sea is generally dominated by wind currents; nevertheless, runoff currents play an appreciable role on the estuarine coasts of large rivers. Cyclonic water circulation prevails in the Middle Caspian, and anticyclonic circulation in the South Caspian. In the northern part of the sea, the patterns of wind currents are more irregular and depend on the characteristics and variability of the wind, bottom topography and coastlines, river runoff and aquatic vegetation.

The water temperature is subject to significant latitudinal and seasonal changes. In winter, it varies from 0–0.5 o C at the ice edge in the north of the sea to 10–11 o C in the south. In summer, the water temperature in the sea averages 23–28 o C, and in shallow coastal waters in the Northern Caspian it can reach 35–40 o C. At depths, a constant temperature is maintained: deeper than 100 m it is 4–7 o C.

In winter, only the northern part of the Caspian Sea freezes; in severe winter - the entire Northern Caspian and the coastal zones of the Middle Caspian. Freezing in the Northern Caspian lasts from November to March.

The salinity of water changes especially sharply in the northern part of the sea: from 0.1‰ on the estuarine coasts of the Volga and Urals to 10–12‰ on the border with the Middle Caspian. In the Northern Caspian, the temporal variability of water salinity is also great. In the middle and southern parts of the sea, salinity fluctuations are small: it is mainly 12.5–13.5‰, increasing from north to south and from west to east. The highest water salinity is in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay (up to 300‰). With depth, the salinity of water increases slightly (by 0.1–0.3‰). The average salinity of the sea is about 12.5‰.

More than a hundred species of fish live in the Caspian Sea and the mouths of the rivers flowing into it. There are Mediterranean and Arctic invaders. The object of fishing is goby, herring, salmon, carp, mullet and sturgeon fish. The latter number five species: sturgeon, beluga, stellate sturgeon, spike and sterlet. The sea is capable of producing up to 500-550 thousand tons of fish annually if overfishing is not allowed. Of the marine mammals, the endemic Caspian seal lives in the Caspian Sea. Every year 5-6 million waterfowl migrate through the Caspian region.

The economy of the Caspian Sea is connected with oil and gas production, shipping, fishing, extraction of seafood, various salts and minerals (Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay), with the use of recreational resources. The explored oil resources in the Caspian Sea are about 10 billion tons, the total resources of oil and gas condensate are estimated at 18–20 billion tons. Oil and gas are being produced on an ever-increasing scale. Used by the Caspian Sea and water transport, including along the river-sea and sea-river routes. The main ports of the Caspian Sea: Astrakhan, Olya, Makhachkala (Russia), Aktau, Atyrau (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Nowshahr, Bender-Enzeli, Bender-Torkemen (Iran) and Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan).

The economic activity and hydrological features of the Caspian Sea create a number of serious environmental and water management problems. Among them: anthropogenic pollution of river and sea ​​waters(mainly oil products, phenols and synthetic surfactants), poaching and the reduction of fish stocks, especially sturgeons; damage to the population and coastal economic activity due to large-scale and rapid changes in the level of the reservoir, the impact of numerous hazardous hydrological phenomena and hydrological and morphological processes.

The total economic damage for all the Caspian countries associated with the rapid and significant recent rise in the level of the Caspian Sea, the flooding of part of the coastal land, the destruction of coasts and coastal structures, was estimated at 15 to 30 billion US dollars. It took urgent engineering measures to protect the coast.

A sharp drop in the level of the Caspian Sea in the 1930s–1970s. led to less damage, but they were significant. The navigable approach channels became shallow, the shallow seashore at the mouths of the Volga and the Urals became heavily overgrown, which became an obstacle to the passage of fish into the rivers for spawning. It was necessary to build fish passages through the seasides mentioned above.

Among the unresolved problems is the lack of an international agreement on the international legal status of the Caspian Sea, the division of its water area, bottom and subsoil.

The Caspian Sea is the object of many years of research by specialists from all the Caspian states. Such domestic organizations as the State Oceanographic Institute, the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia, the Caspian Research Institute of Fisheries, the Faculty of Geography of the Moscow state university and etc.

One of the brightest bodies of water in the world is Caspian lake, which is located at the junction of Asia and Europe, and its shores and waters belong to 5 countries. The Caspian is attractive and inexpensive place for rest and treatment. Beautiful nature and the early opening of the swimming seasons make the rest on the Caspian coast more tempting.

The Caspian Lake is the largest of all lakes on the planet. It is often referred to as the Caspian Sea because of its impressive size and slightly salty water. It is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe on the territory of 5 countries: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation Azerbaijan and Iran.

Despite the fact that the tourist infrastructure is inferior to the Black Sea in terms of development, the Caspian coast is in demand among tourists. This is facilitated by the rapid warming up of the reservoir due to its shallow depth, often the swimming season can begin at the end of April and end in October. The average water temperature in summer is 20-22 °C.

Benefits of resting on the Caspian Lake:

• clean sea sand;
• picturesque nature;
• nautical salubrious climate;
• mineral springs;
• healing mud;
• the presence of sanatoriums of various orientations;
• excellent fishing, especially in Astrakhan;
• active entertainment for every taste (diving, rafting, windsurfing, etc.);
• low cost of housing and entertainment with a developed infrastructure;
• being on the territory of the Russian Federation, which saves a lot of time on paperwork;
• great service;
• warm water for six months;
• the opportunity to save more than one thousand rubles on vacation, housing and food without denying yourself anything.

You can get to the Caspian Sea in various ways, but you should decide in which coastal city area to plan your vacation.

In the Russian Federation, there are several resort towns:

Astrakhan is very popular among fishermen and lovers of outdoor activities associated with water, because there are many rivers in its vicinity, and the Caspian Lake is just an hour away by car.

Ancient city Derbent also enjoys special love among tourists, because it is surrounded by such sights as picturesque mountains, there are ancient fossils and legendary caves, overgrown with legends, and other places of interest to visit.

Such Dagestan resort towns as Izberbash, Kaspiysk, Makhachkala and Kalmyk Lagan are not deprived of attention either. Many tourists come to the Caspian Lake and stay in Azerbaijani cities (Baku, Lankaran, Sumgayit), Turkmen resorts Turkmentbashi and Avaza, Kazakh Aktau and Atyrau.

The origin of the Caspian lake and its names

Over 5 million years ago, the ancient sea was divided into several smaller ones, including the Caspian and the Black Sea. After this separation, the reservoirs repeatedly merged into one and split up, but approximately 1.75-2 million years ago, the reservoir was finally cut off from the waters of the World Ocean.

The modern name of the Caspian Lake is new. And according to one of the hypotheses, it came from the name of the Caspian tribe, who lived in its southwest in the first millennium BC.

Throughout the entire period of existence, the Caspian Lake had more than 70 different names among various peoples of the tribes, among which:

1. Abeskunskoye - by the name of the island and the city, which were located before they were flooded by a reservoir in the XIV century in a low plain formed by the Kura Kura River.
2. Saray.
3. Khazar or Mazenderan - Iranian name in honor of the province of the same name of the country, located on the coast, is used in Iran to this day.
4. Dzhurdzhansky (Hirkansky) - the ancient Greek name of the reservoir, came from the region of Hyrkania and the city of Gorgan, now belonging to Iran.
5. Derbent - by the name of the ancient coastal town of the same name in Dagestan.
6. Sihai.
7. Khvaliyskoye is an ancient Russian name, derived from the name of the Khvalis people, who lived in the north of the Caspian Sea.

Study and development of the Caspian lake

Finds on the western coast of Dagestan indicate that people lived in this territory already 2 million ago. At the confluence of the river Darvagchay (Dagestan) excavated remains in sites older than 600 thousand years. excavations at south coast indicate human habitation in this territory 75 thousand years ago. All these studies show that the climate and living conditions were suitable for humans.

The founder of geography and the writer Hecateus of Miletus (VI-V century BC) in his work "Description of the Earth" described the Caspian Sea as the Hyrcanian Sea. In the 5th century BC, an ancient Greek historian was one of the first to suggest that the Caspian is not connected with other seas or the ocean, although scientists of those times argued that the reservoir was the northern bay of the World Ocean, which washed all known lands.

Aristotle in the 4th century BC was sure that the Hyrcanian reservoir was connected with the Black Sea by groundwater. The study of the relationship of the Caspian Sea with other large water bodies was carried out by Macedonian during his travels. In 323 BC, he sent the sailor and geographer Patroclus to explore the shores of the Caspian Sea.

The navigator reached the Kara-Bogaz Bay and considered it a river that connects the Caspian Lake with the ocean. The well-known ancient Greek geographer and historian Strabo in one of his 17 chronicles (books) "Geography" imagined the Caspian Lake stretched in an east-west direction.

Arab scientists of the 9th-13th centuries made a significant contribution to the exploration of the Caspian Sea, writing in their works information about coastal cities and states, islands, flowing rivers and oil, which was produced in Azerbaijan (Baku).

The expansion of the geography of trade relations made it possible for European, Persian and Turkish travelers to receive a lot of information about the Caspian Sea. And the eminent Marco Polo (XIII century) also described a huge pond.

A very detailed, although sometimes erroneous, map of the Caspian Sea was compiled in the 17th century by the famous German scientist and traveler Adam Olearius. Peter I repeatedly traveled towards the Caspian Lake, and on the basis of the data provided by him, Russian hydrographers compiled very detailed maps of the Caspian Sea.

Since the 17th century, surveys of the Caspian Sea and its coastal environs have become systematic and versatile. Peter the Great in 1714 sent an exploratory expedition led by Bekovich-Cherkassky. A few years later, the research was continued by Verdun and Soimonov, a little later by Tokmachev, Voinovich and other scientists.

IN early XIX century, instrumental survey of the coast was carried out by I.F. Kolodkin, after several decades, geographical survey was carried out by an expedition led by N.A. For half a century, starting from 1866, regular hydrological and hydrobiological expeditions were carried out under the command of N.M. Knipovich.

During the first years of Soviet rule, the Caspian was actively explored by geologists, mainly in search of oil deposits, studying the water balance and fluctuations in the water height in the lake.

History of the Caspian Lake

The Caspian lake is located on the site of one of the giant reservoirs of antiquity. The origin of the Caspian Lake is inextricably linked with ancient sea Tetris, which more than 50-55 million years ago united the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, being on the territory of the present Caspian, Azov, Black and mediterranean seas.

After long, complex tectonic movements, Tetris was first cut off from Pacific Ocean, and a little later, the Atlantic.

About 5-6.5 million years ago, a giant reservoir broke into small basins, which included the Caspian and the Black Sea.

After that, they repeatedly united and moved apart.

1.8-2 million years ago, the Caspian Sea was finally cut off from the waters of the World Ocean, and it is this time that is considered the beginning of its origin.

Throughout its history, the lake has repeatedly changed its coastline until it acquired its current form.

Physical and geographical characteristics of the Caspian Lake

The water surface of the lake is noticeably lower than the level of the World Ocean and is -27.5 ... -28.5 m. The area of ​​​​the Caspian varies depending on the level and water and is in the range of 380-390 km2, the total volume is 73.7-74.1 km3 .

The Caspian is territorially divided into several parts with their own characteristics:

1. North Caspian- 24% of the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe reservoir falls on it. This part is small and average depth does not exceed 6 m, the maximum reaches 25 m, the volume of water is less than 1%.
2. Middle Caspian- 36% of the total area of ​​​​the lake falls on it. This part of the lake is a kind of basin with a maximum depth of almost 800 m, and an average depth of 190 m. It contains a third of the total volume of water.
3. South Caspian- occupies 40% of the total area of ​​the lake and it accounts for the deepest part of the reservoir. It contains 2/3 of the volume of all water - 66%. The average depth is 340 m, and the deepest depression is 1025 m.

The length of the coastline almost reaches the mark of 7 thousand km. The maximum length of the lake slightly exceeds 1 thousand km, and the widest point is 435 km. The minimum width is considered to be a segment of 195 km. The average width is considered to be 317 km.

Depth map of the Caspian lake

The coasts vary greatly in their landscape. north coast gently sloping and low, around it there is a semi-desert in the lowland, and a desert on a hill. The southern coastline is partly low and partly mountainous and consists of the Elbrus ridge. The mountains of the Caucasus come close to the western part.

The eastern line of the coast is a calcareous plateau of a desert and semi-desert type. The outlines of the coast change greatly depending on the water level, which fluctuates periodically.

Climate

The water temperature of the Caspian varies greatly depending on the latitude. This amplitude is most noticeable in winter, when the water under the ice in the northern part has a temperature of 0.-0.5 °C above zero, while in the south at this time it is 10-11 °C.

According to averaged data, the temperature in the western part of the lake is up to 2 °C higher than in the eastern one, and at a distance from the shore it rises by 2-4 °C compared to the coastal zone. In summer, the water in the lake warms up to 23-29 °C, and in shallow water in the northern part it can reach 34-40 °C. Below 100 m, the temperature stabilizes and is 4-7 °C.

The Caspian Lake is located three climatic zones: continental (north of the reservoir), temperate (middle) and subtropical (South Caspian). In winter, the average temperature ranges from -8 to -11 °C in the north and up to +8 to +11 °C in the south of the lake.

In summer, the northern part warms up to 24-25 °С with a positive mark, in the south the temperature rises to 26-27 °С. The highest temperature of +44 °С was noted in the east of the reservoir.

The average amount of precipitation per year is about 200 mm. Moreover, on the arid eastern coast, at least 90-100 mm falls, in the south-west these figures can reach 1700 mm. The average annual wind speed is in the range of 3-8 m/s, mainly winds from the north prevail. In autumn and winter, their speed increases and can reach 35-39 m/s.

When the thermometer shows large minus values ​​in the northern part of the lake, south coast trees and flowers bloom. IN winter time the surface of the lake is unstable, storm winds prevail. In winter, only the northern shallow water freezes; in severe winter frosts, the Northern Caspian and coastal waters of the Middle Caspian are covered with ice.

Flora and fauna

The flora of the Caspian Sea and its coastal environs is more than 720 species of plants. The lake is dominated mainly by algae (diatoms, brown, etc.), from angiosperms - rupee and zoster. Most of the vegetation of the Caspian Lake comes from the Neogene period, but some got into the reservoir on the bottoms of ships or consciously, with the help of man.

Among the animal representatives of the Caspian Sea and its environs, there are more than 1800 species, of which more than 400 are vertebrates, and more than 90 species are fish (sturgeon, carp, bream, mullet, beluga, etc.). Mammals are represented only by the Caspian seal, which is the smallest of the seal family and lives exclusively in the Caspian Lake.

The largest flock of sturgeon in the world lives in the lake, and a lot of pike perch, carp and roach live in the waters of the sea. Up to 80% of the total world sturgeon catch and more than 90% of the world black caviar fishery falls on the Caspian Lake.

The main route of bird migration between Europe and Asia passes over the Caspian Sea (in spring - in a southerly direction, and in autumn - in a northerly direction). During seasonal flights, over 11.5 million birds fly over the lake, about 5 million individuals remain for the winter. More than 850 species of animals live in the lake itself, of which almost 80 are vertebrates. Of the plants in the lake, there are more than 500 species.

Islands

There are more than 50 large and medium-sized islands in the Caspian Lake with a total area of ​​about 350 sq. km.

The state that owns the island	Island name
Azerbaijan	Jasper
	Oil Stones
	Pelican
	Zenbil
	Sengi Mugan
	Boyuk Zira
	Baku archipelago
	Kichik Zira
	Kurinsky
	Chilov
	Ignat dasha
	Inner Stone
	Khyarya Zira
	Kara Su
	Dash Zira
	Novoivanovskiy
	Chikil
	Kurinskaya Spit
	Gil
	Babury
Iran	Ashur-Ada
Kazakhstan	Seal Islands
	Average
	Zyudev
	Konevsky Oseryodok
	Someonok
	Babiy
	somovy
Turkmenistan	Ogurchinsky
	Big Zyudostinskiy
	Marine Ivan-Karaul
	Net Banks
	Small Zyudostinskiy
	Birdie
	Egg
	Small Setnoy
	Jumpers
	Sandy
	Bazaar
	Konevsky
	Zelenenky
	Marine Biryuchok
	Batkachny
	nordic
	Small Pearl
	Big Setnoy
	pancakes
	Upper Oseredok
	Khokhlatsky
	Zyudev
	Lower
	Small
	Likhachev
	seals
	Seventh
	Sea Chapura
	Chechen

Inflowing rivers

More than 130 rivers flow into the Caspian, of which 9 have a delta-shaped mouth. 95% of water enters the Caspian from rivers. Most of them flow into the lake in the northern and western parts of the reservoir; there are no rivers flowing into the east.

The largest and most significant rivers of the Caspian basin:

Approximately 88% of the total runoff falls on such rivers as the Volga, Terek, Ural and Emba, which flow into the north of the Caspian. 7% of the flow falls on such rivers as the Kura, Sulak, Samur and other smaller ones that flow into the western part of the Caspian. About 5% of the flow of the rivers Sefidrud, Kheraz and Gorgan falls into the Iranian part of the reservoir.

Ecological state

The state of the Caspian Lake and adjacent territories inspires concern among environmentalists.

The main causes of environmental problems are related to man and his activities:

• extraction and transportation of oil and gas products;
• intake of pollutants with runoff waters of rivers;
• poaching;
• waste from coastal cities;
• rapid jumps in the water level in the Caspian due to the irrigation of lands with the waters of the flowing rivers and the use of hydroelectric power stations.

How the Caspian Lake is used

The Caspian lake has been actively used by man for many centuries.

Main directions of economic activity:

Recreational resources of the Caspian Lake

The climate and nature of the Caspian coast with its clean sandy beaches, healing mud and healing springs provide great potential and excellent conditions for sanatorium treatment and tourist holiday.

The development of the resort and tourism infrastructure although it is noticeably inferior to the similar industry of the Black Sea coast, it is actively expanding and improving the quality of service. The most noticeable surge in development in recent years has been noted in the Republic of Dagestan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

Rest on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the Russian Federation and former countries LPG is notable for its low cost and, on average, in terms of quality in some places is inferior to that in the Black Sea, but in actively developing areas the level is quite high.

Popular recreation areas with developed infrastructure:

• Baku;
• Amburan;
• Makhachkala;
• Bilgah;
• Derbent.
• Dial;
• Lankaran;
• Nardaran.

The development of the Turkmen resort and tourism industry is hampered by an internal policy that isolates the state from the majority of tourists. And in Iran, mass recreation is difficult due to strict Sharia law.

There are 3 protected areas on the coast:

The Caspian Lake is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is the largest lake in the world.

There are many interesting facts about the reservoir:

1. It is larger than Japan, but smaller than Germany in area.
2. In terms of depth, the Caspian is in third place, second only to Tanganyika and Baikal.
3. Every 2.5 centuries a complete renewal of the waters takes place.
4. On the Iranian coast, albino beluga is caught, whose caviar is the most expensive in the world. It has a white tint and is packaged in unusual jars made of real gold.
5. The largest beluga weighed over 1200 kg and was caught in the 1920s. XX century on the Russian coast. In its dimensions, it is comparable to a large shark.
6. Throughout the history of the lake, he had more than 70 different names.
7. Scientists are still debating whether to consider the Caspian Lake a sea, justifying this by the fact that its area exceeds the size of some seas, and the bottom was created according to the oceanic type. But at the same time, the reservoir is drainless and does not connect with the ocean and other seas.
8. The smallest length of the coastline of the five countries belongs to the Russian Federation.
9. More than 80% of the waters enter the lake from the river. Volga.

The Caspian lake is rich in flora and fauna, it is distinguished by warm waters and a long swimming season. It is best known for its depth and size, oil, gas and sturgeon production, the reserves of which exceed those known throughout the world.

The lake is 95% supplied with runoff water to rivers. On its coast there are many resorts and sanatoriums, whose attractiveness can be assessed, and affordable prices.

Article formatting: Mila Fridan

Video about the Caspian Sea

Film about the Caspian Sea:

Pearl unique beauty and identity is the Caspian Sea. This is a unique, the only enclosed body of water in the world with a fragile and priceless ecosystem. Its uniqueness attracts worldwide attention. The Caspian is considered the largest inland water body in the world, located at the junction of Asia and Europe. Poets, philosophers, historians, geographers devoted a lot of their works to the amazing natural creation. Among them: Homer, Herodotus, Aristotle. The biological environment of the Caspian Sea is also unique. But first things first. We invite you to find out about the depth, level, location of this reservoir, which countries are washed by the Caspian Sea. Well, let's go...

Historical references

Many are interested in where the Caspian Sea is located, the history of its occurrence. But few people know that it is of oceanic origin. Thirteen million years ago, this place was the bottom of the ocean. As a result of natural disasters, the Alps arose and separated the Sarmatian Sea from the Mediterranean. 5 million years passed, and the Sarmatian Sea was divided into smaller water bodies, which included the Black and Caspian Seas. For a long time there were connections and separations of waters. And 2 million years ago the Caspian Sea was completely cut off from the World Ocean. This was the beginning of its formation. History confirms that during the period of formation, the depth and area of ​​the Caspian Sea changed several times.

Today, the Caspian is classified as the largest endorheic lake. Because of its huge size, it is commonly called the sea. And also due to the fact that it was formed on the earth's crust of the oceanic type.

Today the Caspian makes up 44% of the planet's lake waters. During its formation, different tribes and peoples gave the lake about 70 names. The Greeks called it the Hyrcanian (Dzhurdzhansky) lake from the name of the city of Gorgan and the province of Hyrkania. The ancient Russians called it the Khvalyn Sea, from the name of the Khvalis people who lived in the coastal area. Arabs, Persians, Azerbaijanis, Turks, Crimean Tatars called it the Khazar Sea. Once upon a time, in the delta of the Kura River, which flows into the reservoir, there was an island and a city, after which it was called the Abeskun Sea. Later this city was flooded. There was also the name Saray Lake. In honor of the city of Derbant (Dagestan), it was called the Derbent Sea. There was also the name Sihai and others.

Geographic location

Many people want to know where the Caspian Sea is located on the map. This place is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The physical and geographical conditions of the sea allow us to divide it into three parts:

1. The share of the Northern Caspian occupies 25% of the reservoir.
2. The Middle Caspian zone has 36%.
3. The component of the southern part of the lake is 39%.

The Northern and Middle Caspian separates the island of Chechnya from Cape Tyub-Karagan. The Middle and South Caspian divides Chilov Island with Cape Gan-Gulu.

The territory adjacent to the lake is called the Caspian Sea. The size of the Caspian Sea is amazing. Coastline stretches, approximately 6,500 - 6,700 kilometers. The shores have a low-lying and smooth structure. northern part The coastline is cut by water channels and islands of the Ural and Volga deltas. The shores are mostly low and swampy, covered with thickets. East Coast has a limestone structure. In the west, the coast is very winding.

Relief and depth, area of ​​the Caspian Sea

These figures fluctuate constantly. As a result, they affect the sea level. The Caspian Sea thus changes the area and volume of water. If its level is 26.75 km, then the area is 371,000 km 2. And what is the maximum and average depth of the Caspian Sea? In terms of maximum depth, it is second only to Baikal and Tanganyika. The maximum depth in the South Caspian depression is 1,025 m. The bathygraphic curve helps to calculate the average depth of the Caspian Sea, which indicates a depth of 208 m. In the north, the reservoir is shallower - 25 m. The Middle Caspian has many deep depressions, continental slopes, and shelves. Here, the average depth reaches 192 m. The Derbent depression has a depth of 788 m.

The length of the lake from north to south is 1,200 km, and the width of the Caspian Sea from west to east is up to 435 km. The relief of the northern part of the lake is flat, with accumulative islands and banks. The southern part of the Caspian shelf is rich in shell sands, deep water areas with silty sediments. Sometimes bedrocks come out here.

Peninsulas, islands and bays of the Caspian Sea

A number of large peninsulas are located on the area of ​​the Caspian Sea. On the west coast, near Azerbaijan, is the Absheron Peninsula. It is here that the cities of Baku and Sumgayit are located. On the eastern side (the territory of Kazakhstan) is the Mangyshlak Peninsula. The city of Aktau was built here. It is also worth noting the following large peninsulas: Miankale, Tyub-Karagan, Buzachi, Agrakhan Peninsula.

The total area of ​​large and medium-sized Caspian islands is 350 km2. There are about 50 such islands. The largest and most famous are: Ashur-Ada, Garasu, Chechen, Chigil, Gum, Dash-Zira, Ogurchinsky and others.

Such a huge body of water cannot exist without bays. Agrakhan, Kizlyar, Mangyshlak, Kazakh bays are known. It is also worth remembering Kaydak Bay, Kenderli, Turkmen, Astrakhan, Gasan-Kuli, Anzeli.

A special bay-lagoon of the Caspian Sea is considered salt Lake Kara-Bogaz-Gol. In 1980, a dam was built that separates this strait from the Caspian Sea. Every year, 8-10 km 3 of water enters Kara-Bogaz-Gol from the Caspian Sea.

What countries are washed by the Caspian Sea?

Intergovernmental Economic Conference Caspian states established that five coastal countries were washed by the Caspian Sea. What exactly? In the north, northeast and east it borders on Kazakhstan. The coastline is 2,320 km. Who borders the Caspian Sea in the south? This is Iran with a coastline of 724 km. In the southeast, Turkmenistan is located with a coastline of about 1,200 km. The northwest and west of the Caspian is occupied by Russia with a length of 695 km. Azerbaijan stretches for 955 km in the southwest. Here is such a kind of "Caspian Five".

Coastline and nearby cities

Many cities, ports and resorts are located on the Caspian Sea. In Russia, the largest objects are considered: Kaspiysk, Makhachkala, Izberbash, Lagan, Dagestan Lights, Derbent. Astrakhan is the largest seaport Caspian, located in the Volga delta (60 km from the northern coast).

Baku is considered the largest port city in Azerbaijan. Its location falls on the southern part of the Absheron Peninsula. The city is home to 2.5 million people. Sumgayit is located a little to the north. Lankaran is located near the southern border of Azerbaijan. In the south-east of the Absheron Peninsula there is a settlement of oil workers - Oil Rocks.

In Turkmenistan, on the northern shore of the Krasnovodsk Bay, there is the city of Turkmenbashi. A large resort of this country is Avaza.

In Kazakhstan, the port city of Aktau was built near the Caspian Sea. To the north, in the delta of the Ural River, Atyrau is located. In Iran, on the southern coast of the reservoir, Bandar Anzeli is located.

Rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea

130 large and small rivers flow into the Caspian. Nine of them have a deltoid mouth. Among the largest rivers, we single out the Volga, Ural, Terek, Samur, Sulak, Emba, Kura, Atrek. most major river, flowing into the reservoir, is considered the Volga. For a year, on average, 215-224 km 3 of water flows out of it. All of the above rivers replenish the annual water supply of the Caspian by 88-90%.

Currents, flora and fauna of the Caspian

For those who are interested in where the Caspian Sea flows into, the answer is already clear - it is a closed body of water. Water circulates in it thanks to winds and drains. Most of the water flows into the Northern Caspian, so the northern currents circulate there. These intense currents of water are carried to west coast Apsheron Peninsula. There, the current passes into two branches - one moves parallel to the western coast, the other - to the east.

The fauna of the Caspian basin is represented by 1810 animal species. 415 of them are representatives of vertebrates. About 100 species of fish swim in the Caspian Sea, and a large number of sturgeon live here. Freshwater fish are also found here, represented by pike perch, carp, and vobla. Also in the sea there are a lot of carp, mullet, sprat, kutum, bream, salmon, perch, pike. It is worth remembering another inhabitant - the Caspian seal.

The flora of the Caspian Sea and the coastal zone includes 730 species. It is important to note that the reservoir is overgrown with blue-green, diatoms, red, brown, chara algae. The most common are flowering algae - ruppia and zostera. The age of the Caspian flora refers to the Neogene period. Many plants came to the Caspian with the help of ships or conscious human actions.

Research work

Between 285 and 282 B.C. The Greek king Seleucus I ordered the geographer Patroclus the Macedonian to explore the Caspian Lake. Later this work was continued by order of Peter the Great. For this, an expedition was specially organized, led by A. Bekovich-Cherkassky. Later, the research was continued by the expedition of Carl von Werden. Also, the following scientists were engaged in the study of the Caspian Sea: F.I. Simonov, I.V. Tokmachev, M.I. Voinovich.

IN late XIX instrumental coastal survey was carried out by I.F. Kolodkin, later - N.A. Ivashentsev. In the same period, N.M. studied the hydrology and hydrobiology of the Caspian Sea for 50 years. Knipovich. 1897 was marked by the founding of the Astrakhan research station. At the beginning of the Soviet era, the Caspian was studied by I.M. Gubkin and other geologists. They directed their work to the search for oil, the study of the aquatic environment, changes in the level of the Caspian Sea.

Economic sphere, shipping, fishing

Many deposits of gas and oil have been found in the Caspian. Scientists have proven that there are about 10 billion tons of oil resources here, and together with gas condensate - 20 billion tons. Since 1820, oil has been extracted on the Absheron shelf, near Baku. Then oil production on an industrial scale began to be engaged in other areas. Oil production from the bottom of the Caspian Sea began in 1949, at Neftyanye Rocks. The long-awaited oil well was drilled by Mikhail Kaverochkin. In addition to oil and gas, salt, limestone, stone, sand, and clay are mined in the Caspian.

Shipping is also given enough attention. Ferry crossings are constantly operating. The most famous destinations are: Baku - Aktau, Makhachkala - Aktau, Baku - Turkmenbashi. Through the Don, the Volga and the Volga-Don Canal, the Caspian Lake is connected to the Sea of ​​Azov.

Local residents catch sturgeon, bream, carp, pike perch, sprat in the waters of the sea. They are engaged in seal fishing and caviar production. Unfortunately, in this reservoir you can also encounter illegal sturgeon fishing and caviar extraction. The flounder caught here, mullet, different types shrimp. Sturgeons feed here on the Nereis worm, which was specially brought to the Caspian Sea. The "Five" countries of the Caspian Sea, washed by its waters, specially organize fish breeding and spawning farms.

Sturgeons are the most numerous in the northern shallow waters, especially near Russia. It is worth listing the sterlet, beluga, sturgeon, thorn, stellate sturgeon living there. Many people like to catch carp species: bream, roach, asp. A lot of catfish, grass carp, silver carp live here. There are more small inhabitants in the Caspian than large ones. In the south of the lake, herring winters and spawns. Fishing in the Caspian is allowed all year round except April-May. They are allowed to use fishing rods, spinning rods, donks and other devices.

Most of all for fishing in Russia choose Astrakhan region. Catching some sturgeons is temporarily prohibited here, but you can catch pike, catfish, pike perch. In spring, sabrefish and rudd often peck here. In Kalmykia, industrial fishing is carried out in Lagan. Large specimens of carp are found here. Often fishermen have to spend the night right in the boats. The water in these areas is very clear, so spearfishing is used.

Rest on the Caspian Sea

Sandy beaches, mineral waters, therapeutic mud of the Caspian coast are a good help for treatment and relaxation. The tourism industry and resorts here are not as developed as on the Black Sea, but there are many who want to relax. It is at a fairly popular level in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Russian Dagestan. Azerbaijan has developed resort area near Baku. Only rest here, mostly locals, foreign tourists lacks sufficient level of service and good advertising.

The Russian coast is mainly located in Dagestan. Potential tourists are afraid to go here. But the beauty of the Caspian is simply mesmerizing! It is here that you can admire the waves with gray scallops, the bitter salinity of dark water, small shells on the shore. Rest on the Caspian Sea is often considered exotic. It's more like a lake...

The increased salinity of water in the Caspian increases its medicinal properties. The water in the reservoir warms up early, so you can safely come here in May. In September, you can have a great time, because the water is kept at around +21°C.

What are the conditions for recreation in Dagestan near the sea? Here the coast is covered with yellow velvety sea sand. The water of the Caspian Sea warms up faster than in the Black Sea, because the former is much shallower. The swimming season here begins in mid-May. The beauty of the Caspian coast is enhanced picturesque mountains which is not far from Derbent. Here you can admire the oldest marine fossils, which were raised by gas formation to a thousand-meter height. After that, many caves were formed here, about which there are various legends. Many locals come to these places to worship higher powers.

IN Soviet period Dagestan was a holiday destination for tourists from different parts of the USSR. Holidays here are cheaper than on Black Sea coast, the sea is warmer and Sandy shore more enjoyable.

The Caspian coast in Dagestan has many kilometers of beaches: Makhachkala, Samur, Manas, Kayakent. On their territory there are recreation centers (150 units), boarding houses, sanatoriums, children's camps. You can book rooms not only in state hotels, boarding houses, but also in large and small private hotels. Renting a single room here costs from 500 to 1,000 rubles, a double room - 700-1,500 rubles, a luxury apartment - 1,500-2,000 rubles.

If you get tired of swimming in the sea, then in Dagestan you can go to the peaks covered with snow caps. Rafting enthusiasts can go to fast mountain rivers. Guides offer interesting excursions by historical places.

Not far from the Caspian coast, it is worth seeing the capital of Dagestan - Makhachkala. This beautiful and well-equipped city has a highly developed infrastructure. Residents of Makhachkala are trying to attract as many tourists as possible to their city and are building a resort area. Cote d'Azur". This building occupies 300 hectares of area.

The South Dagestan coast with the center in Derbent is the most attractive place for tourism. This area has a temperate continental climate, being in the subtropics. The territory is rich in citrus fruits, figs, pomegranates, almonds, walnuts, grapes and other crops.

No less colorful city of Izberbash. Here is beautiful nature with clean mountain-sea air, saturated with the aroma of forests that grow low on the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. Sand beach can be changed to a walk to mineral springs, among which there are geothermal, contributing to the restoration of health.

Rostourism has taken measures to develop cruise holidays in the Caspian. Thought out not only domestic routes, but also international ones. Often cruises on the sea are joined with the route along the Volga. For such events, very good vessels are needed, because there are often storms on the Caspian Sea.

Another area of ​​marine recreation in the Caspian Sea is health and medical. Many ailments help to overcome the local sea air. Many sanatoriums have been built on the seashore in Dagestan. People are getting better here. mineral waters, mud, curative climate. Not without health and sports tourism. Outdoor activities are quite popular today. For those who wish, extreme, skiing, ecological tourism is offered. You can be sure that the Caspian Sea and its coastal areas deserve to be visited.