CASPIAN SEA (Caspian), the world's largest enclosed body of water, drainless brackish lake. Located on the southern border of Asia and Europe, it washes the shores of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan. Because of the size, originality natural conditions and complexity of hydrological processes The Caspian Sea is usually referred to the class of closed inland seas.
The Caspian Sea is located in a vast area of internal flow and occupies a deep tectonic depression. The water level in the sea is at around 27 m below the level of the World Ocean, the area is about 390 thousand km 2, the volume is about 78 thousand km 3. The greatest depth is 1025 m. With a width of 200 to 400 km, the sea is elongated along the meridian for 1030 km.
The largest bays: in the east - Mangyshlak, Kara-Bogaz-Gol, Turkmenbashi (Krasnovodsk), Turkmen; in the west - Kizlyar, Agrakhan, Kyzylagadzh, Baku Bay; in the south - shallow lagoons. There are many islands in the Caspian Sea, but almost all of them are small, with total area less than 2 thousand km 2. In the northern part, there are numerous small islands adjacent to the Volga delta; larger ones - Kulaly, Morskoy, Tyuleniy, Chechen. Off the western shores is the Apsheron archipelago, to the south lie the islands of the Baku archipelago, off the eastern coast is the narrow island of Ogurchinsky, elongated from north to south.
The northern shores of the Caspian Sea are low-lying and very sloping, characterized by a wide development of droughts formed as a result of surge phenomena; deltaic shores are also developed here (the deltas of the Volga, the Urals, and the Terek) with an abundant supply of terrigenous material; the Volga delta stands out with extensive reed beds. The western shores are abrasion, to the south of the Absheron Peninsula, mostly accumulative deltaic type with numerous bays and spits. southern shores base. The eastern shores are mostly deserted and low-lying, composed of sands.
Relief and geological structure of the bottom.
The Caspian Sea is located in a zone of increased seismic activity. In the city of Krasnovodsk (now Turkmenbashi) in 1895 there was a strong earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale. Eruptions of mud volcanoes are often observed on the islands and the coast of the southern part of the sea, leading to the formation of new shoals, banks and small islands, which are washed away by waves and reappear.
According to the peculiarities of physical and geographical conditions and the nature of the bottom topography in the Caspian Sea, it is customary to distinguish the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian. The Northern Caspian is characterized by exceptionally shallow water, located completely within the shelf with average depths of 4-5 m. Even small changes in the level here at low coasts lead to significant fluctuations in the area of the water mirror, therefore, the boundaries of the sea in the northeastern part on small-scale maps are shown by a dotted line. The greatest depths (about 20 m) are observed only near the conditional border with the Middle Caspian, which is drawn along the line connecting Chechen Island (to the north of the Agrakhan Peninsula) with Tyub-Karagan Cape on the Mangyshlak Peninsula. In the relief of the bottom of the Middle Caspian, the Derbent depression stands out (the greatest depth is 788 m). The boundary between the Middle and South Caspian passes over the Apsheron threshold with depths up to 180 m along the line from Chilov Island (to the east of the Absheron Peninsula) to Cape Kuuli (Turkmenistan). The basin of the South Caspian is the most extensive area of the sea with the greatest depths, almost 2/3 of the waters of the Caspian Sea are concentrated here, 1/3 falls on the Middle Caspian, and less than 1% of the Caspian waters are located in the North Caspian due to shallow depths. In general, the shelf areas (the entire northern part and a wide strip along the eastern coast of the sea) predominate in the bottom relief of the Caspian Sea. The continental slope is most pronounced on the western slope of the Derbent Basin and almost along the entire perimeter of the South Caspian Basin. On the shelf, terrigenous-shell sands, shells, and oolitic sands are common; deep-water areas of the bottom are covered with silty and silty sediments with a high content of calcium carbonate. In some areas of the bottom, Neogene bedrocks are exposed. Mirabilite accumulates in the Ka-ra-Bogaz-Gol Bay.
In tectonic terms, within the Northern Caspian, the southern part of the Caspian syneclise of the East European platform is distinguished, which is framed in the south by the Astrakhan-Aktobe zone, composed of Devonian-Lower Permian carbonate rocks, occurring on a volcanic base and containing large deposits of oil and natural combustible gas. Paleozoic folded formations of the Donetsk-Caspian zone (or the Karpinsky ridge) are pushed onto the syneclise from the southwest, which is a protrusion of the basement of the young Scythian (in the west) and Turan (in the east) platforms, which are separated at the bottom of the Caspian Sea by the Agrakhan-Guryev fault (left shift) of northeast strike. The Middle Caspian mainly belongs to the Turan platform, and its southwestern margin (including the Derbent depression) is a continuation of the Terek-Caspian foredeep of the Greater Caucasus fold system. The sedimentary cover of the platform and trough, composed of Jurassic and younger sediments, contains oil and combustible gas deposits in local uplifts. The Apsheron Sill, which separates the Middle Caspian from the South, is a connecting link of the Cenozoic folded systems of the Greater Caucasus and the Kopetdag. The South Caspian Basin of the Caspian Sea with crust of oceanic or transitional type is filled with a thick (over 25 km) complex of Cenozoic sediments. Numerous large hydrocarbon deposits are concentrated in the South Caspian Basin.
Until the end of the Miocene, the Caspian Sea was a marginal sea of the ancient Tethys Ocean (since the Oligocene, the relic oceanic basin of the Paratethys). By the beginning of the Pliocene, it lost contact with the Black Sea. The Northern and Middle Caspians were drained, and the paleo-Volga valley stretched through them, the delta of which was located in the area of the Apsheron Peninsula. Delta sediments have become the main reservoir of oil and natural combustible gas deposits in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. In the late Pliocene, due to the Akchagyl transgression, the area of the Caspian Sea greatly increased and the connection with the World Ocean temporarily resumed. The waters of the sea covered not only the bottom of the modern depression of the Caspian Sea, but also the adjacent territories. In the Quaternary, transgressions (Absheron, Baku, Khazar, Khvalyn) alternated with regressions. The southern half of the Caspian Sea is located in a zone of increased seismic activity.
Climate. The Caspian Sea, strongly elongated from north to south, is located within several climatic zones. In the northern part, the climate is temperate continental, on the western coast - temperate warm, southwestern and southern coasts lie within the subtropics, on east coast desert climate prevails. IN winter time over the North and Middle Caspian, the weather is formed under the influence of the Arctic continental and sea air, and the South Caspian is often under the influence of southern cyclones. The weather in the west is unstable rainy, in the east it is dry. In summer, the western and northwestern regions are influenced by the spurs of the Azores atmospheric maximum, and the southeastern regions are influenced by the Iran-Afghan minimum, which together creates dry, stable warm weather. Winds from the north and northwest (up to 40%) and southeast (about 35%) directions prevail over the sea. average speed wind about 6 m/s, in central regions sea up to 7 m/s, in the area of the Apsheron Peninsula - 8-9 m/s. Northern storm "Baku Nords" reach speeds of 20-25 m/s. The lowest average monthly air temperatures of -10°С are observed in January-February in the northeastern regions (in the most severe winters they reach -30°С), in the southern regions 8-12°С. In July - August, the average monthly temperatures over the entire sea area are 25-26 °С, with a maximum of up to 44 °С on the east coast. The distribution of atmospheric precipitation is very uneven - from 100 mm per year on the eastern shores to 1700 mm in Lankaran. In the open sea, on average, about 200 mm of precipitation falls annually.
hydrological regime. Changes in the water balance of an enclosed sea strongly affect the change in the volume of water and the corresponding level fluctuations. Average long-term components of the water balance of the Caspian Sea for the 1900-90s (km 3 / cm layer): river runoff 300/77, precipitation 77/20, underground runoff 4/1, evaporation 377/97, runoff in Kara-Bogaz- Goal 13/3, which forms a negative water balance of 9 km 3 or 3 cm layer per year. According to paleogeographic data, over the past 2000 years, the range of fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea has reached at least 7 m. -29 m (the lowest position in the last 500 years). The sea surface area has decreased by more than 40 thousand km 2, which exceeds the area Sea of Azov. Since 1978, a rapid rise in level began, and by 1996 a mark of about -27 m relative to the level of the World Ocean was reached. In the modern era, fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea are determined mainly by fluctuations in climatic characteristics. Seasonal fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea are associated with the uneven flow of river flow (primarily the flow of the Volga), so the lowest level is observed in winter, the highest in summer. Short-term sharp changes in the level are associated with surge phenomena, they are most pronounced in shallow northern regions and can reach 3-4 m during storm surges. Such surges cause flooding of significant coastal land areas. In the Middle and South Caspian, surge fluctuations in the level are on average 10-30 cm, under storm conditions - up to 1.5 m. The frequency of surges, depending on the area, is from one to 5 times a month, the duration is up to one day. In the Caspian, as in any closed reservoir, seiche fluctuations in the level are observed in the form of standing waves with periods of 4-9 hours (wind) and 12 hours (tidal). The magnitude of seiche fluctuations usually does not exceed 20–30 cm.
River flow in the Caspian Sea is distributed extremely unevenly. More than 130 rivers flow into the sea, which, on average, bring about 290 km 3 of fresh water per year. Up to 85% of the river flow falls on the Volga with the Urals and enters the shallow Northern Caspian. The rivers of the western coast - Kura, Samur, Sulak, Terek, etc. - give up to 10% of the runoff. Another approximately 5% of fresh water is brought to the South Caspian by the rivers of the Iranian coast. The eastern desert shores are completely devoid of constant fresh water.
The average speed of wind currents is 15-20 cm/s, the highest - up to 70 cm/s. In the North Caspian, the prevailing winds create a flow directed along the northwestern coast to the southwest. In the Middle Caspian, this current merges with the western branch of the local cyclonic circulation and continues to move along the western coast. At the Absheron Peninsula, the current bifurcates. Its part in the open sea flows into the cyclonic circulation of the Middle Caspian, and the coastal part goes around the shores of the South Caspian and turns to the north, joining the coastal current, enveloping the entire eastern coast. The average state of the movement of the Caspian surface waters is often disturbed due to the variability of wind conditions and other factors. Thus, in the northeastern shallow area, a local anticyclonic gyre can occur. Two anticyclonic eddies are often observed in the South Caspian. In the Middle Caspian, during the warm season, steady northwest winds create southward transport along the east coast. In light winds and during calm weather currents may have other directions.
Wind waves develop very strongly, since the prevailing winds have a large acceleration length. The excitement develops mainly in the northwestern and southeastern directions. Severe storms are observed in the open waters of the Middle Caspian, in the areas of the city of Makhachkala, the Apsheron Peninsula and the Mangyshlak Peninsula. The average wave height of the highest frequency is 1-1.5 m, at wind speeds of more than 15 m/s it increases to 2-3 m. 10 m
The water temperature on the sea surface in January - February in the North Caspian is close to freezing (about -0.2 - -0.3 °C) and gradually rises southward to 11 °C off the coast of Iran. In summer, surface waters warm up to 23-28 °C everywhere, except for the eastern shelf of the Middle Caspian, where seasonal coastal upwelling develops in July-August and the water temperature on the surface drops to 12-17 °C. In winter, due to intense convective mixing, the water temperature changes little with depth. In summer, under the upper heated layer at the horizons of 20-30 m, a seasonal thermocline (a layer of sharp temperature change) is formed, separating deep cold waters from warm surface waters. In the bottom layers of the waters of deep-sea basins all year round the temperature remains 4.5-5.5 °C in the Middle Caspian and 5.8-6.5 °C in the South. The salinity in the Caspian Sea is almost 3 times lower than in the open areas of the World Ocean, and averages 12.8-12.9‰. It should be especially emphasized that the salt composition of the Caspian water is not completely identical to the composition ocean waters due to the isolation of the sea from the ocean. The waters of the Caspian Sea are poorer in sodium salts and chlorides, but richer in calcium and magnesium carbonates and sulfates due to the unique composition of salts entering the sea with river and underground runoff. The highest variability of salinity is observed in the Northern Caspian, where in the estuarine sections of the Volga and the Urals the water is fresh (less than 1‰), and as you move south, the salt content increases to 10-11‰ at the border with the Middle Caspian. The greatest horizontal salinity gradients are characteristic of the frontal zone between sea and river waters. Differences in salinity between the Middle and South Caspian are small, salinity slightly increases from northwest to southeast, reaching 13.6‰ in the Turkmen Gulf (up to 300‰ in Kara-Bogaz-Gol). Salinity changes along the vertical are small and rarely exceed 0.3‰, which indicates good vertical mixing of waters. Water transparency varies over a wide range from 0.2 m in the mouth areas of large rivers to 15-17 m in the central regions of the sea.
According to the ice regime, the Caspian Sea belongs to partially freezing seas. Ice conditions are observed annually only in the northern regions. The Northern Caspian is completely covered with sea ice, the Middle - partially (only in severe winters). Middle border sea ice passes along an arc, turned by a bulge to the north, from the Agrakhan Peninsula in the west to the Tyub-Karagan Peninsula in the east. Usually, ice formation begins in mid-November in the extreme northeast and gradually spreads to the southwest. In January, the entire Northern Caspian is covered with ice, mostly landfast ice (fixed). Drifting ice borders the fast ice with a strip 20-30 km wide. The average thickness of ice is from 30 cm at the southern border to 60 cm in the northeastern regions of the Northern Caspian, in hummocky heaps - up to 1.5 m. The destruction of the ice cover begins in the 2nd half of February. In severe winters, drifting ice is carried to the south, along the western coast, sometimes as far as the Absheron Peninsula. In early April, the sea is completely free of ice cover.
Research History. It is believed that modern name The Caspian Sea comes from the ancient tribes of the Caspians, who inhabited the coastal regions in the 1st millennium BC; other historical names: Hyrkan (Irkan), Persian, Khazar, Khvalyn (Khvalis), Khorezm, Derbent. The first mention of the existence of the Caspian Sea dates back to the 5th century BC. Herodotus was one of the first to argue that this reservoir is isolated, that is, it is a lake. In the works of Arab scientists of the Middle Ages, there is information that in the 13-16 centuries the Amu Darya partially flowed into this sea by one of the branches. The well-known numerous ancient Greek, Arabic, European, including Russian, maps of the Caspian Sea until the beginning of the 18th century did not reflect reality and were in fact arbitrary drawings. By order of Tsar Peter I, an expedition was organized in 1714-15 under the leadership of A. Bekovich-Cherkassky, who explored the Caspian Sea, in particular its eastern shores. The first map, on which the contours of the coasts are close to modern ones, was compiled in 1720 using astronomical definitions by Russian military hydrographers F. I. Soymonov and K. Verden. In 1731, Soimonov published the first atlas, and soon the first printed sailing direction of the Caspian Sea. A new edition of the maps of the Caspian Sea with corrections and additions was carried out by Admiral A. I. Nagaev in 1760. The first information on the geology and biology of the Caspian Sea was published by S. G. Gmelin and P. S. Pallas. Hydrographic research in the 2nd half of the 18th century was continued by I.V. Tokmachev, M.I. Voinovich, at the beginning of the 19th century - by A.E. Kolodkin, who was the first to perform instrumental compass survey of the coast. Published in 1807 new map of the Caspian Sea, compiled taking into account the latest inventories. In 1837, systematic instrumental observations of sea level fluctuations began in Baku. In 1847 the first Full description Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol. In 1878, the General Map of the Caspian Sea was published, which reflected the results of the latest astronomical observations, hydrographic surveys, and depth measurements. In 1866, 1904, 1912–13, and 1914–15, under the leadership of N. M. Knipovich, expeditionary studies were carried out in the hydrology and hydrobiology of the Caspian Sea; in 1934, a Commission for the Comprehensive Study of the Caspian Sea was established under the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. A great contribution to the study of the geological structure and oil content of the Apsheron Peninsula and the geological history of the Caspian Sea was made by Soviet geologists I. M. Gubkin, D. V. and V. D. Golubyatnikovs, P. A. Pravoslavlev, V. P. Baturin, S. A . Kovalevsky; in the study of water balance and sea level fluctuations - B. A. Appolov, V. V. Valedinsky, K. P. Voskresensky, L.S. Berg. After the Great Patriotic War, systematic diversified studies were launched in the Caspian Sea, aimed at studying the hydrometeorological regime, biological conditions and the geological structure of the sea.
In the 21st century, two large scientific centers are engaged in solving the problems of the Caspian Sea in Russia. Caspian Marine Research Center (KaspMNIC), established in 1995 by a government decree Russian Federation, conducts research work on hydrometeorology, oceanography and ecology. The Caspian Research Institute of Fisheries (CaspNIRKH) traces its history from the Astrakhan Research Station [established in 1897, since 1930 the Volga-Caspian Scientific Fisheries Station, since 1948 the Caspian Branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, since 1954 the Caspian Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (KaspNIRO), modern name since 1965]. CaspNIRKh is developing the foundations for the conservation and rational use of the biological resources of the Caspian Sea. It consists of 18 laboratories and scientific departments - in Astrakhan, Volgograd and Makhachkala. It has a scientific fleet of more than 20 ships.
Economic use. Natural resources The Caspian Sea is rich and varied. Significant hydrocarbon reserves are being actively developed by Russian, Kazakh, Azerbaijani and Turkmen oil and gas companies. There are huge reserves of mineral self-saddle salts in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay. The Caspian region is also known as a massive habitat for waterfowl and near-water birds. About 6 million migratory birds migrate through the Caspian Sea every year. In this regard, the Volga delta, Kyzylagadzh, Northern Cheleken and Turkmenbashi bays are recognized as sites of international rank under the Ramsar Convention. The mouth sections of many rivers flowing into the sea have unique species vegetation. The fauna of the Caspian Sea is represented by 1800 animal species, of which 415 species are vertebrates. More than 100 species of fish live in the sea and estuaries of rivers. Marine species are of commercial importance - herring, sprat, gobies, sturgeons; freshwater - carp, perch; arctic "invaders" - salmon, white salmon. Major ports: Astrakhan, Makhachkala in Russia; Aktau, Atyrau in Kazakhstan; Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan; Bandar Torkemen, Bandar Anzeli in Iran; Baku in Azerbaijan.
Ecological state. The Caspian Sea is under a powerful anthropogenic impact due to the intensive development of hydrocarbon deposits and active development fishing. In the 1980s, the Caspian Sea produced up to 80% of the world's sturgeon catch. Predatory catches of recent decades, poaching and a sharp deterioration in the ecological situation have put many valuable fish species on the brink of extinction. Habitat conditions have deteriorated not only for fish, but also for birds and marine animals (Caspian seal). The countries washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea face the problem of creating a set of international measures to prevent pollution of the aquatic environment and developing the most effective environmental strategy for the near future. A stable ecological state is noted only in parts of the sea remote from the coast.
Lit.: Caspian Sea. M., 1969; Complex studies of the Caspian Sea. M., 1970. Issue. 1; Gul K.K., Lappalainen T.N., Polushkin V.A. The Caspian Sea. M., 1970; Zalogin B. S., Kosarev A. N. Morya. M., 1999; International tectonic map of the Caspian Sea and its framing / Ed. V. E. Khain, N. A. Bogdanov. M., 2003; Zonn I. S. Caspian Encyclopedia. M., 2004.
M. G. Deev; V. E. Khain (geological structure of the bottom).
Rest on the shore of the Caspian Sea- a great alternative for those who want to relax away from the hustle and bustle.
And also to gain new impressions and vitality, to improve the health of children, but does not have the financial means to travel to distant warm countries.
Cheap flights to Makhachkala
General information
The Caspian Sea, which is the largest lake in the world, stretches from North to South for about 1200 km. Its average width is up to 320 km. The water surface area is about 370 thousand km2. The level of the Caspian Sea is almost 28 meters below the ocean level.
The maximum depth was recorded in the South Caspian depression and is 1025 meters.
The unique sea-lake is rich in small islands, there are about 50 of them.
More than 100 rivers flow into the sea, including the Volga, Ural, Kura, Atrek, Terek and others.
The Caspian is famous for its unique flora and fauna.
In its warm waters, you can find more than 850 species of fish and animals, more than 500 species of plants. Many representatives of flora and fauna are listed in the Red Book.
The sea is rich in fish, including valuable sturgeon species. The Caspian seal lives in warm waters. There are no sharks and other fish that are predatory and dangerous to humans.
Nature lovers can visit the famous Astrakhan International Biosphere Reserve. This is a magnificent natural monument.
In spring and summer, people specially come here to admire the amazing beauty of the phenomenon: the fields of blooming lotus.
Russian resorts of the Caspian Sea
The length of the coast of the Russian part of the Caspian Sea is more than 600 kilometers.
Large sandy beaches, warm sea, pleasant weather are excellent prospects for organizing a quality summer holiday.
Best Russian resorts The Caspian Sea are located in Dagestan.
Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Izberbash, Lagan, Derbent, Dagestan Lights - famous sea resort towns.
Climate
The coast of the Astrakhan region has a temperate climate. Warm weather lasts from the first days of May to the first half of September.
During the season, clear warm weather prevails ( average temperature 24-25 0 С). Cloudy days and rain are rare.
The hottest month is July.
In summer, the water in the sea warms up to 23-28°С along the entire length of the Russian coastline.
Accommodation
There are more than 150 boarding houses and recreation centers on the Caspian coast of Russia.
Vacationers can buy a ticket in advance or arrange on the spot.
In Derbent and Kaspiysk, tourists will be warmly welcomed by the staff of large comfortable hotels.
Small cozy hotels are also at the service of vacationers. family vacation. You can find comfortable housing in the private sector. Prices are very affordable .
How to get there?
The Astrakhan coast of the Caspian Sea can be reached by the following route: by train or plane to the regional center, the city of Astrakhan, and then by bus, taxi or water transport to the destination.
The resorts of Dagestan can be reached by local transport(bus, taxi) from the capital of the Republic of Makhachkala, which can be reached by train or intercity bus.
Treatment
Those who wish can relax and undergo a course of treatment in the Caspian sanatorium, which is located on the seashore 40 km from Makhachkala.
This spa with healing mineral baths is equipped with modern diagnostic equipment.
The course of treatment is designed for 21 days, which gives a noticeable balneological effect.
Sanatorium "Lezzet"- climatic, sea, balneo-mud resort on the Caspian Sea. It is located 8 kilometers from Makhachkala Airport.
Profile areas: diseases of the nervous, musculoskeletal, genitourinary, digestive, cardiovascular systems, respiratory organs, gynecological problems and infertility.
The resort will help to combine the rest of the sea with treatment "Talgi". The health resort is located in Makhachkala.
Specialization - treatment and prevention of diseases of the joints, nervous and genitourinary systems. For treatment, unique sulfide waters with hydrogen sulfide are used.
Recreation and entertainment
In all resorts and health resorts of the Russian coast, infrastructure is developed, conditions for a good rest are created:
- athletic facilities;
- cafes, restaurants;
- various attractions;
- for those who wish to organize boat trips, fishing, thematic excursions.
Rest in the Astrakhan region
The city of Astrakhan is located in the Caspian lowland in the delta of the Volga River. This old City included in tourist tours and popular with travelers.
Guests are attracted by wonderful architectural ensembles, majestic churches, interesting museums.
At the end of summer and autumn, you can enjoy the famous Astrakhan watermelons and fragrant melons from the garden.
From regional center The Caspian Sea is only 60 km away.
The most common and affordable accommodation for vacationers and tourists in the Volga Delta and on the Caspian coast are recreation centers. As a rule, these are small cozy houses located in picturesque corners.
"Dardanelles", recreation center
The Astrakhan region is an excellent region for lovers of fishing and outdoor activities.
Fishermen have long chosen the recreation center "Dardanelles", located in the delta of the Volga River.
In the modern building, the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, refrigerators, and bathrooms.
Dardanelles
High-quality three meals a day are organized for vacationers.
In the restaurant of the base, you can prepare mouth-watering dishes from your own catch.
Sauna and billiards are at the guests' disposal. Guests are offered a variety of excursions, including to Astrakhan, boat trips along the sea and the Volga.
Address: s. Zaton, Kamyzyaksky district, Astrakhan region (base 9 km).
"Tortuga", fishing base
"Tortuga" in terms of cost of living is not very different from "Dardanelles".
The standard house has comfortable furniture, household appliances, necessary utensils, bathrooms. It is very comfortable to stay here for families with children.
Those who wish can stay in a floating house. Equipment needed for fishing can be rented on site.
Address: s. Tower, Limansky district, Astrakhan region
Mountain country - Dagestan- offers tourists the sandy beaches of the Caspian Sea, ski resorts, unique nature and culture, ancient monuments and wonderful national cuisine.
And although the idea of rest in Dagestan is perceived ambiguously due to doubts about security, a lot of guests come to the republic. This mountainous region is very beautiful and original.
Resort complex "Chindirchero"
This popular place The resort welcomes guests all year round.
In summer, guests can enjoy relaxing by the sea.
For vacationers:
- windsurfing;
- kiting;
- rafting.
chindirchero
There are also all conditions for paragliding and rock climbing.
In winter, "Chindirchero" is a popular ski resort.
Address: s. Ginta, Akushinsky district, Makhachkala,
Derbent
Derbent, a city with a history of 5 thousand years, is one of the most attractive resorts for tourism on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
Derbent region is a subtropical paradise with the riot of nature and the abundance of the sun. The beauty of the sea coast is framed by picturesque mountains.
There are many ancient monuments and interesting sights in Derbent. Vacationers are waiting for exciting excursions, including helicopter ones. Both in the city and in its environs there are hotels, hotels, tourist bases.
The most popular hotels in Derbent:
- Hotel Krasny Bak;
- Hotel Complex Evropa;
- Elite Hotel.
The resort can be reached by train or regular minibus from the bus station of Makhachkala or Kaspiysk. The Moscow-Baku train stops in Derbent.
Izberbash
This colorful city is located at the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, covered with picturesque forests.
Izberbash
Warm sea, extensive sandy beaches, amazing landscapes attract tourists.
The combination of sea and mountain air, the presence of healing mineral springs make it possible to improve health.
Turbaza "Priboy"
From the windows of the three-story building of the camp site, magnificent views open up. The living rooms have all the necessary amenities, there are air conditioners, TVs. At the disposal of vacationers is a clean, well-maintained beach.
Tasty, healthy meals, a cozy bar, and a guarded parking lot are organized at the camp site.
Address: pos. Primorsky, Izberbash.
Reviews
“We arrived for the first time from Orenburg. Nature is just amazing! Everything is so beautiful - I did not part with the camera. The base itself is a picturesque place. The perfect place for relax. It is a pity that we did not give full information, and came for a three-day tour.
Next time we will try to stay longer. Top notch service. Such hospitality and cordiality is rare to find. We left with great regret. We'll definitely be back."
“There are beaches in Derbent. But most of them are rented from private owners. City beaches usually quickly fill up with garbage and are poorly cleaned, and this fact does not soften even the charm of clear, beautiful, warm sea water.
Resorts of Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea
The amazing nature and warm healing water of the sea make the rest on the Caspian Sea very attractive.
People come to Kazakhstan on the coast to relax and improve their health. It offers comfortable sandy beaches, natural mineral springs and therapeutic mud.
Aktau is the only city near the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan.
On the Kazakh coast, the infrastructure is not yet very developed. However, there are already many pleasant places where tourists come with pleasure.
How to get there?
You can get to Aktau only by train or plane.
On road transport getting there is difficult not only because of the very long distance, but also because of the quality of local roads.
Climate
On the coast of the Caspian Sea, winters are mild, and summers are dry and warm.
During the summer day the air temperature rises to +30..+32 degrees, and at night it drops to +20 degrees.
The beach season lasts from May to September.
Accommodation
There will be no problems with accommodation in Aktau, even if you do not arrive on a tour. There are more than 20 modern comfortable hotels in the city.
The most popular of them:
- "Aktau";
- Chagala ;
- "Zheruyik".
Treatment
On the Kazakh coast of the Caspian Sea, two large health-improving complexes can be distinguished:
- "Kenderli" - 300 km from Aktau;
- Steegle, near the city.
The unique balneological clinic "Shagala" is located within the city.
Recreation and entertainment
"Kenderlik"
Near Aktau there is a sports and recreation complex. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts.
This modern complex complies with all international norms and standards.
Kenderly
Guests live in small cozy cottages located on the shore or in comfortable hotel rooms, in the building of which there is a sauna, indoor pool, solarium and winter garden.
At the service of vacationers billiard room, gyms, tennis courts, outdoor summer pool, football and volleyball courts, bowling hall, dance floor, bars and restaurant.
"Shagala", sanatorium
The sanatorium-preventorium "Shagala" ("Seagull") offers high-quality rest and improvement. This is a unique balneological clinic. It is located on the Caspian coast, within the city of Aktau.
Guests are offered single and double rooms with private facilities. The building of the sanatorium has a comfortable winter garden where you can relax and admire exotic plants.
Vacationers can visit Entertainment Center, casino, technopark, roller skating area.
New impressions will give excursion tours historical sites and natural monuments Mangyshlak.
Address: Aktau, m-n 1, coastal zone.
On the seashore, 18 kilometers from Aktau, there is a modern sports and recreational entertainment center "Stigl".
There are two hotels on the territory of the center. This complex is equipped in accordance with international standards.
On its territory there is a unique sea sauna, SPA-salon, fitness center, massage rooms, as well as cafes, restaurants, attractions.
This is how the Mediterranean Sea was formed, which then included the current Azov, Black and Caspian Sea. On the site of the modern Caspian, a huge Caspian lowland was formed, the surface of which was almost 30 meters below the water level in the World Ocean. When the next rise of land began to take place at the place of formation of the Caucasus Mountains, the Caspian Sea was finally cut off from the ocean, and in its place a closed drainless reservoir was formed, which today is considered the largest inland sea on the planet. However, some scientists call this sea a giant lake.
A feature of the Caspian Sea is the constant fluctuation of the level of salinity of its water. Even in different areas of this sea, the water has different salinity. This was the reason for the predominance of fish and crustaceans in the Caspian Sea, which more easily tolerate fluctuations in water salinity.
Since the Caspian is completely isolated from the ocean, its inhabitants are endermics, i.e. always live in its water area.
The fauna of the Caspian Sea can be conditionally divided into four groups.
The first group of animals includes the descendants of ancient organisms that inhabited Tethys about 70 million years ago. These animals include Caspian gobies (golovach, Knipovich, Berg, bubyr, pugolovka, Baer) and herring (Kessler, Brazhnikov, Volga, brazil, etc.), some mollusks and most crustaceans (long-sexed crayfish, orthemia crustacean, etc.). Some fish, mainly herring, periodically enter the rivers flowing into the Caspian to spawn, many never leave the sea. Gobies prefer to live in coastal waters, often found in estuaries.
The second group of animals of the Caspian Sea is represented by arctic species. penetrated into the Caspian Sea from the north in the postglacial period. These are such animals as the Caspian seal (Caspian seal), fish - Caspian trout, white salmon, nelma. Of the crustaceans, this group is represented by mysid crustaceans, similar to small shrimps, tiny sea cockroaches, and some others.
The third group of animals inhabiting the Caspian includes species that independently or with the help of humans moved here from mediterranean sea. These are molluscs mitisyaster and abra, crustaceans - amphipods, shrimp, Black Sea and Atlantic crabs and some types of fish: golden mullet (sharp nose), needle fish and Black Sea kalk (flounder).
And, finally, the fourth group - freshwater fish that penetrated into the Caspian Sea from fresh rivers and turned into marine or anadromous, i.e. periodically rising into the rivers. Some of the typically freshwater fish also occasionally enter the Caspian. Among the fish of the fourth group are catfish, pike perch, barbel, red-lipped asp, Caspian fish, Russian and Persian sturgeon, beluga, stellate sturgeon. It should be noted that the Caspian Sea basin is the main habitat of sturgeons on the planet. Almost 80% of all sturgeons in the world live here. Barbels and fish are also valuable commercial fish.
As for sharks and other fish that are predatory and dangerous to humans, they do not live in the Caspian Sea-Lake.
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:
- The share of the Northern Caspian occupies 25% of the reservoir.
- The Middle Caspian zone has 36%.
- 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. The coastline stretches for approximately 6,500 to 6,700 kilometers. The shores have a low-lying and smooth structure. The northern part of 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. The 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. What is the maximum and average depth 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 south coast reservoir, located Bender-Anzeli.
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 carry water to the western coast of the Absheron 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, a large number of sturgeons. 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 investigate 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. Constantly working ferry crossings. 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 direction sea 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.
The Caspian Sea is the largest drainless lake on Earth, located at the junction of Europe and Asia, called the sea due to the fact that its bed is composed of oceanic-type earth's crust. The Caspian Sea is a drainless lake, and the water in it 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 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 about 1200 kilometers, from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, an average of 310-320 kilometers. The Caspian Sea is conditionally 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 North and Middle Caspian runs along the line of about. Chechnya - Cape Tyub-Karagansky, between the Middle and South Caspian - along the line of about. Residential - Cape Gan-Gulu. The area of the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian is 25, 36, 39 percent respectively.
The length of the coastline of the Caspian Sea is estimated at about 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 coastline indented by water channels and islands of the Volga and Ural deltas, the shores are low and swampy, and the water surface is covered with thickets in many places. The east coast is dominated by limestone shores adjacent to semi-deserts and deserts. The most winding coasts are on the west coast in the area of the Apsheron Peninsula and on the east coast in the area of the Kazakh Gulf and Kara-Bogaz-Gol. The territory adjacent to the Caspian Sea is called the Caspian Sea.
