The depth of the Caspian Sea is average and maximum. The largest lake in the world is the Caspian Sea. The hottest month is July

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

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

Geography of the Caspian Sea

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

Lake or sea?

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

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

Physical quantities

Area, volume, depth

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

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

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

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

Shores

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

Sea water temperature

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

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

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

Nature of the Caspian Sea

Islands, peninsulas, bays, rivers

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

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

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

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

Flora and fauna

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

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

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

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

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

Cities on the Caspian Sea

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

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

Interesting Facts

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

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

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on planet Earth, located on the continent of Eurasia - in the border territory of the states of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan. In fact, it is a giant lake left after the disappearance of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Nevertheless, there is every reason to consider it as an independent sea (this is indicated by its salinity, large area and considerable depth, a bottom made of oceanic crust and other signs). In terms of maximum depth, it is the third among closed reservoirs - after lakes Baikal and Tanganyika. In the northern part of the Caspian Sea (a few kilometers from northern shore- parallel to it) runs the geographical border between Europe and Asia.

Toponymy

• Other names: throughout the history of mankind, the Caspian Sea has had about 70 different names. The most famous of them: Khvalynskoye or Khvalisskoye (took place during the Ancient Rus', arose from the name of the people praises, who lived in the Northern Caspian region and traded with the Russians), Girkanskoe or Dzhurdzhanskoe (derived from alternative names for the city of Gorgan, located in Iran), Khazar, Abeskunskoe (after the name of the island and city in the Kura delta - now flooded), Saraiskoe, Derbentskoe, Sikhai .
• Origin of name: According to one hypothesis, the Caspian Sea received its modern and most ancient name from a tribe of nomadic horse breeders Caspian Sea who lived in 1st millennium BC on the southwest coast.

Morphometry

• Catchment area: 3,626,000 km².
• Mirror area: 371,000 km².
• Coastline length: 7,000 km.
• Volume: 78,200 km³.
• Average depth: 208 m.
• Maximum depth: 1,025 m.

Hydrology

• Availability of permanent flow: no, drainless.
• Tributaries:, Ural, Emba, Atrek, Gorgan, Heraz, Sefidrud, Astarchay, Kura, Pirsagat, Kusarchay, Samur, Rubas, Darvagchay, Ulluchay, Shuraozen, Sulak, Terek, Kuma.
• Bottom: very diverse. At shallow depths, sandy soil with an admixture of shells is common; in deep-sea areas, it is silty. In the coastal strip there may be pebble and rocky places (especially where mountain ranges adjoin the sea). In the estuarine areas, the underwater soil consists of river sediments. The Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay is notable for the fact that its bottom is a thick layer of mineral salts.

Chemical composition

• Water: salty.
• Salinity: 13 g/l.
• Transparency: 15 m.

Geography

Rice. 1. Map of the Caspian Sea basin.

• Coordinates: 41°59′02″ n. latitude, 51°03′52″ e. d.
• Height above sea level:-28 m.
• Coastal landscape: due to the fact that the coastline of the Caspian Sea is very long, and it itself is located in different geographical areas— The coastal landscape is diverse. In the northern part of the reservoir, the banks are low, swampy, and in the deltas of large rivers, they are cut by numerous channels. The eastern shores are mostly limestone - desert or semi-desert. The western and southern shores are adjacent to mountain ranges. The greatest ruggedness of the coastline is observed in the west, in the area of ​​the Absheron Peninsula, and also in the east, in the area of ​​the Kazakh and Kara-Bogaz-Gol bays.
• Settlements on the banks:
  • Russia: Astrakhan, Derbent, Kaspiysk, Makhachkala, Olya.
  • Kazakhstan: Aktau, Atyrau, Kuryk, Sogandyk, Bautino.
  • Turkmenistan: Ekerem, Karabogaz, Turkmenbashi, Khazar.
  • Iran: Astara, Balboser, Bender-Torkemen, Bender-Anzeli, Neka, Chalus.
  • Azerbaijan: Alyat, Astara, Baku, Dubendi, Lankaran, Sangachali, Sumgayit.

Interactive map

Ecology

The ecological situation in the Caspian Sea is far from ideal. Almost all large rivers flowing into it are polluted by wastewater from industrial enterprises located upstream. This could not but affect the presence of pollutants in the waters and bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea - over the past half century, their concentration has increased significantly, and the content of some heavy metals has already exceeded permissible standards.

In addition, the waters of the Caspian Sea are constantly polluted by domestic wastewater from coastal cities, as well as during oil production on the continental shelf, and during its transportation.

Fishing on the Caspian Sea

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• Artificial settlement: not all of the above fish species in the Caspian Sea are native. About 4 dozen species were found by chance (for example, through canals from the Black and Baltic seas), or were deliberately inhabited by humans. As an example, it is worth citing mullets. Three Black Sea species of these fish - mullet, sharpnose and singil - were released in the first half of the 20th century. The mullet did not take root, but the sharpnose and the singil successfully acclimatized, and by now have settled virtually throughout the entire Caspian waters, forming several commercial herds. At the same time, the fish fatten up faster than in the Black Sea and reach larger sizes. In the second half of the last century (starting from 1962), attempts were also made to introduce such Far Eastern salmon fish as pink salmon and chum salmon into the Caspian Sea. In total, several billion fry of these fish were released into the sea over the course of 5 years. Pink salmon did not survive in the new habitat, chum salmon, on the contrary, successfully took root and even began to enter the rivers flowing into the sea to spawn. However, it was unable to reproduce in sufficient quantities and gradually disappeared. There are still no favorable conditions for its full natural reproduction (there are very few places where spawning and development of fry could successfully occur). To provide them, river reclamation is necessary, otherwise, without human help (artificial collection of eggs and their incubation), the fish will not be able to maintain their numbers.

Fishing spots

In fact, fishing is possible anywhere on the Caspian Sea coast, which can be reached by land or water. What types of fish will be caught depends on local conditions, but to a greater extent on whether the rivers flow here. As a rule, in places where estuaries and deltas are located (especially large watercourses), the water in the sea is greatly desalinated, so freshwater fish (carp, catfish, bream, etc.) usually predominate in the catches; species characteristic of the flowing rivers may also be found. rivers (usachi, shemaya). Of the marine species in desalinated areas, those for which salinity does not matter (mullet, some gobies) are caught. At certain periods of the year, semi-anadromous and anadromous species can be found here, feeding in the sea and entering rivers to spawn (sturgeon, some herrings, Caspian salmon). In places where there are no flowing rivers, freshwater species are found in slightly smaller numbers, but marine fish also appear, usually avoiding desalinated areas (for example, sea pike perch). Far from the coast, fish are caught that prefer salt water, and deep-sea species.

Conventionally, we can distinguish 9 places or areas that are interesting in terms of fishing:

1. North Shore (RF)- this site is located on the northern coast of the Russian Federation (from the Volga delta to the Kizlyar Bay). Its main features are low salinity of water (the lowest in the Caspian Sea), shallow depth, the presence of multiple shoals, islands, and highly developed aquatic vegetation. In addition to the Volga delta with its numerous channels, bays and eriks, it also includes the estuary coastal area, called the Caspian Peaks. These places are popular among Russian fishermen, and for good reason: the conditions for fish here are very favorable, and there is also a good food supply. The ichthyofauna in these parts may not shine with a wealth of species, but it is distinguished by its abundance, and some of its representatives reach quite considerable sizes. Typically, the bulk of the catches are freshwater fish characteristic of the Volga basin. Most often caught: perch, pike perch, roach (more precisely, its varieties called roach and ram), rudd, asp, sabrefish, bream, silver carp, carp, catfish, pike. Somewhat less common are black bream, silver bream, white-eye, and bluegill. Representatives of sturgeons (sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, etc.) and salmonids (nelma, brown trout - Caspian salmon) are also found in these places, but their fishing is prohibited.
2. Northwestern coast (RF)- this area covers West Coast Russian Federation(from Kizlyar Bay to Makhachkala). The rivers Kuma, Terek and Sulak flow here - they carry their waters both through natural channels and artificial canals. There are bays in this area, some of which are quite large (Kizlyarsky, Agrakhansky). The sea in these places is shallow. Freshwater fish predominate in the catches: pike, perch, carp, catfish, rudd, bream, barbel, etc., and marine species are also caught here, for example, herring (blackback, bellyfish).
3. West Bank (RF)- from Makhachkala to the border of the Russian Federation with Azerbaijan. An area where mountain ranges adjoin the sea. The salinity of the water here is slightly higher than in previous places, so marine species are more common in fishermen's catches (sea pike perch, mullet, herring). However, freshwater fish are by no means rare.
4. West Bank (Azerbaijan)- from the border of the Russian Federation with Azerbaijan along the Absheron Peninsula. Continuation of the area where mountain ranges adjoin the sea. Fishing here is even more similar to typical offshore fishing, with fish such as razorback and mullet and several species of gobies also caught here. In addition to them, there are kutum, herring, and some typically freshwater species, for example, carp.
5. Southwestern coast (Azerbaijan)- from the Absheron Peninsula to the border of Azerbaijan with Iran. Most of this area is occupied by the Kura River delta. The same types of fish that were listed in the previous paragraph are caught here, but freshwater ones are somewhat more common.
6. Northern coast (Kazakhstan)- this section covers the northern coast of Kazakhstan. Here are the Ural delta and state reserve“Akzhaiyk”, therefore fishing directly in the river delta and in some adjacent water areas is prohibited. Fishing can only be done outside the reserve - upstream from the delta, or in the sea - at some distance from it. Fishing near the Ural delta has much in common with fishing at the confluence of the Volga - almost the same species of fish are found here.
7. Northeast coast (Kazakhstan)- from the mouth of the Emba to Cape Tyub-Karagan. Unlike the northern part of the sea, where the water is greatly diluted by large rivers flowing in, its salinity here increases slightly, so those species of fish appear that avoid desalinated areas, for example, sea pike perch, which is fished in Dead Kultuk Bay. Also, other representatives of marine fauna are often found in the catches.
8. Eastern coast (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan)- from Cape Tyub-Karagan to the border of Turkmenistan and Iran. It is distinguished by the almost complete absence of flowing rivers. The salinity of the water here is at its maximum. Of the fish in these places, marine species predominate; the bulk of the catches are mullet, sea pike perch and gobies.
9. South Bank (Iran)- covers the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. Along the entire length of this section, the sea is adjacent to mountain range Elborz. Many rivers flow here, most of which are small watercourses, there are also several medium-sized ones and one large river. Of the fish, in addition to marine species, there are also some freshwater, as well as semi-anadromous and anadromous species, for example, sturgeon.

Fishing Features

The most popular and catchy amateur tackle used on the Caspian coast is a heavy spinning rod, converted into a “sea bottom”. It is usually equipped with a durable reel on which a fairly thick fishing line (0.3 mm or more) is wound. The thickness of the fishing line is determined not so much by the size of the fish, but by the mass of a fairly heavy sinker, which is necessary for ultra-long casting (in the Caspian Sea it is widely believed that the farther from the shore the casting point is, the better). After the sinker comes a thinner line - with several leashes. Shrimps and amphipods that live in coastal algae thickets are used as bait - if fishing is intended sea ​​fish, or a regular bait like a worm, chafer larvae and others - if there are freshwater species in the fishing area.

At the mouths of inflowing rivers, other gear can be used, such as a float rod, feeder and traditional spinning rod.

kasparova2 majorov2006 g2gg2g-61 .

Photo 8. Sunset in Aktau.

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 Sea is attractive and inexpensive place for rest and treatment. Beautiful nature and the early opening of the swimming seasons make holidays on the Caspian coast more tempting.

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

Despite the fact that the tourism infrastructure is inferior in level of development to the Black Sea, the Caspian coast is in demand among tourists. This is facilitated by the rapid warming 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.

Advantages of holidays on the Caspian Lake:

• clean sea sand;
• picturesque nature;
• sea ​​healing 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 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 thousands of rubles on vacation, housing and food without denying yourself anything.

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

In the Russian Federation on the Caspian Lake there are several resort towns:

Astrakhan is very popular among fishermen and amateurs active rest associated with water, because in its vicinity there are many rivers, 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 attractions as picturesque mountains, ancient fossils and legendary caves, overgrown with legends, and other interesting places to visit.

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

Origin of the Caspian Lake and its name

Over 5 million years ago, the ancient sea was divided into several smaller ones, including the Caspian and Black Sea. After this separation, the reservoirs repeatedly merged into one whole and were fragmented, 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 hypothesis, it came from the name of the Caspian tribe, who lived in its southwest in the first millennium BC.

Throughout the entire period of its existence, the Caspian Lake had more than 70 different names among various tribal peoples, including:

1. Abeskunskoye - after the name of the island and the city, which were located before their flooding by a reservoir in the 14th century in a low-lying plain formed by the Kura Kura River.
2. Saraiskoe.
3. Khazar or Mazandaran - Iranian name in honor of province of the same name country located on the coast, is used in Iran to this day.
4. Dzhurdzhansky (Hirkansky) - the ancient Greek name of the reservoir, comes from the region of Hyrcania and the city of Gorgan, now belonging to Iran.
5. Derbentskoye is named after 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) remains have been excavated at sites older than 600 thousand years. Excavations on the southern coast indicate human habitation in this area 75 thousand years ago. All these studies show that the climate and living conditions were suitable for humans.

The founder of geography and writer Hecataeus of Miletus (VI-V centuries BC) in his work “Description of the Earth” described the Caspian Sea as the Hyrcanian Sea. In the 5th century BC, the ancient Greek historian was one of the first to suggest that the Caspian is not connected with other seas or oceans, 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 groundwater connected with the Black Sea. Macedonsky studied the relationship of the Caspian Sea with other large bodies of water throughout 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 famous ancient Greek geographer and historian Strabo, in one of his 17 chronicles (books) “Geography”, represented the Caspian Lake stretched in the east-west direction.

Arab scientists of the 9th-13th centuries made a significant contribution to the study of the Caspian Sea, recording in their works information about coastal cities and states, islands, flowing rivers and oil that 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 famous Marco Polo (XIII century) also described a huge reservoir.

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

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

At the beginning of the 19th century, an instrumental survey of the coast was carried out by I.F. Kolodkin; several decades later, a geographical survey was carried out by an expedition led by N.A. Ivashintsev. For half a century, starting from 1866, regular hydrological and hydrobiological expeditions were carried out under the leadership of N.M. Knipovich.

During the first years of Soviet power, the Caspian Sea was actively explored by geologists, mainly in search of oil product deposits, studying the water balance and fluctuations in 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 the ancient Tetris Sea, which more than 50-55 million years ago united the Pacific and atlantic oceans, located 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, the giant reservoir broke into small basins, which included the Caspian and 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 was this time that is considered the beginning of its origin.

Throughout its history, the lake has changed its shoreline many times until it acquired its current appearance.

Physiographic characteristics of the Caspian Lake

The water surface of the lake is noticeably lower than the level of the World Ocean and amounts to -27.5...-28.5 m. The area of ​​the Caspian Sea 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 Sea is geographically divided into several parts with their own characteristics:

1. Northern Caspian— it accounts for 24% of the total area of ​​the reservoir. This part is shallow, and its 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. Southern Caspian– occupies 40% of the total area of ​​the lake and 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 most deep depression– 1025 m.

The length of the coastline reaches almost 7 thousand km. The maximum length of the lake is slightly more than 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.

The shores vary greatly in their landscape. The northern coast is flat and low, around it there is semi-desert in the lowlands, and desert in the higher elevations. The southern coastline is partly lowland and partly mountainous and consists of the Elbrus ridge. The Caucasus Mountains come close to the western part.

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

Climate

The water temperature of the Caspian Sea fluctuates significantly depending on 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 average data, the temperature in the western part of the lake is up to 2 °C higher than in the eastern part, and when moving away from the shore it increases 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 at 4-7 °C.

The Caspian Lake is located three climatic zones: continental (north of the reservoir), temperate (middle) and subtropical (Southern 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 °C with a positive mark, in the south the temperature rises to 26-27 °C. The highest temperature of +44 °C was recorded in the east of the reservoir.

The average annual precipitation is about 200 mm. Moreover, on a dry east coast At least 90-100 mm falls; in the southwest 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 high sub-zero values ​​on the northern part of the lake, trees and flowers bloom on the southern coast. IN winter time The surface of the lake is unstable and stormy winds prevail. In winter, only the northern shallow waters freeze; during severe winter frosts, the Northern Caspian and the coastal waters of the Middle Caspian are covered with ice.

Flora and fauna

The flora of the Caspian Sea and its coastal environs consists of more than 720 plant species. The lake is mainly dominated by algae (diatoms, brown algae, etc.), and angiosperms - rupee and zoster. Most of the vegetation of the Caspian Lake originates from the Neogene period, but some entered the reservoir on the bottoms of ships or deliberately, with the help of humans.

Among the animal representatives of the Caspian Sea and its environs, there are more than 1,800 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 lake is home to the largest school of sturgeon in the world, and a lot of pike perch, carp and roach live in the sea waters. Up to 80% of the total world sturgeon catch and more than 90% of the world black caviar fishery come from the Caspian Lake.

The main route of bird migration between Europe and Asia passes over the Caspian Sea (in spring - in south direction, and in the fall - in the north). During seasonal migrations, over 11.5 million birds fly over the lake, about 5 million individuals remain for the winter. The lake itself is home to over 850 species of animals, of which almost 80 are vertebrates. More than 500 species of plants are present in the lake.

Islands

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

Flowing rivers

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

The largest and most significant rivers of the Caspian basin:

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

Ecological state

The condition of the Caspian Lake and surrounding areas inspires concern among environmentalists.

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

• production and transportation of oil and gas products;
• influx of pollutants from river runoff waters;
• poaching;
• waste from coastal cities;
• rapid jumps in water levels in the Caspian Sea due to irrigation of lands with the waters of inflowing rivers and the use of hydroelectric power stations.

How is the Caspian Lake used?

The Caspian Lake has been actively used by humans for many centuries.

Main directions economic activity:

Recreational resources of the Caspian Lake

The climate and nature of the Caspian coast with its clean sand beaches, healing mud and medicinal sources provides great potential and excellent conditions for sanatorium treatment and tourist recreation.

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

Holidays on the Caspian coast in the Russian Federation and former countries The CIS is low in cost and on average the quality in some places is inferior to that in the Black Sea, but in actively developing places the level is quite high.

Popular recreation areas with developed infrastructure:

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

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

There are 3 protected areas on the coast:

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

There are many information about the reservoir interesting facts:

1. Its size is larger than Japan, but in area less Germany.
2. In terms of depth, the Caspian Sea is in third place, second only to Tanganyika and Baikal.
3. Every 2.5 centuries the waters are completely renewed.
4. Albino beluga sturgeon, whose caviar is the most expensive in the world, is caught on the Iranian coast. It is distinguished by a white tint and is packaged in unusual jars made of real gold.
5. The largest beluga weighed more than 1200 kg and was caught in the 20s. XX century on the Russian coast. In its dimensions it is comparable to a large shark.
6. Throughout the history of the lake, it has had more than 70 different names.
7. Scientists are still debating whether to consider the Caspian Lake a sea, arguing that its area exceeds the size of some seas, and the bottom is created according to the oceanic type. But at the same time, the reservoir is endorheic and is not connected to the ocean or other seas.
8. The smallest coastline of the five countries belongs to the Russian Federation.
9. More than 80% of the water enters the lake from the river. Volga.

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

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

Article format: Mila Friedan

Video about the Caspian Sea

Film about the Caspian Sea:

The Caspian Sea is located in different geographical zones. It plays a large role in world history and 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 crust. These factors allow us to classify it as a sea.

It is a closed body of water, has no drains and is not connected to the waters of the World Ocean. Therefore, it can also be classified as a lake. 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 due to various fluctuations in water level. The average value is 80 thousand cubic kilometers. The depth varies in its parts: the southern one has greater depth than the northern one. The average depth is 208 meters, the greatest value in the southern part exceeds 1000 meters.

The Caspian Sea plays a major role in the development of trade relations between countries. Resources extracted from it, as well as other trade items, were transported to different countries since the development of maritime navigation. Since the Middle Ages, merchants have brought exotic goods, spices and furs. Today, in addition to transporting resources, transport is carried out by sea ferry crossings between cities. The Caspian Sea is also connected by a shipping canal through rivers with Sea of ​​Azov.

Geographical characteristics

The Caspian Sea is located between two continents - Europe and Asia. It 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 area. For example, the islands of Ashur-Ada, Tyuleniy, Chigil, Gum, Zenbil. And also the peninsulas, the most significant - Absheronsky, Mangyshlak, Agrakhansky and others.

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

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

Climate

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

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

In the southern region, air and water temperatures in winter warm up to an average of +10 degrees.

In summer, the air temperature in the northern zone reaches +25 degrees. It's much hotter in the south. The maximum recorded value here is + 44 degrees.

Resources

The natural resources of the 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 approximately 1820. The springs opened on the territory of the seabed and its coast. Already by the beginning of the new century, the Caspian Sea occupied a leading position 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 its surrounding area 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 distinguished by great diversity and good productivity. It contains more than 1,500 species of inhabitants and is rich in commercial fish species. Occupancy 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. The western and eastern areas are inhabited by gobies, mullet, bream, and herring. Southern waters are rich in different representatives. One of the many is sturgeon. In terms of their content, this sea occupies a leading place among other bodies of water.

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 Caspian seal is a mammal that 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

Oil production and transportation have a huge negative impact on the ecological situation of the sea. Oil products getting into water is almost inevitable. Oil stains cause irreparable damage to marine habitats.

The main influx of water resources to the Caspian Sea comes from rivers. Unfortunately, most of them have high levels of pollution, which deteriorates the quality of sea water.

Industrial and domestic wastewater from surrounding cities is discharged into the sea in huge quantities, which also causes environmental damage.

Poaching causes great damage to marine habitats. The main target for illegal fishing is sturgeon species. This significantly reduces the number of sturgeon and threatens the entire population of this type.

The information provided will help to assess the resources of the Caspian Sea and briefly study the characteristics and ecological situation of this unique body of water.

, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan

Geographical position

Caspian Sea - view from space.

The Caspian Sea is located at the junction of two parts of the Eurasian continent - Europe and Asia. The length of the Caspian Sea from north to south is approximately 1200 kilometers (36°34"-47°13" N), from west to east - from 195 to 435 kilometers, on average 310-320 kilometers (46°-56° c. d.).

The Caspian Sea is conventionally divided according to physical and geographical conditions into 3 parts - Northern Caspian, Middle Caspian and Southern Caspian. The conditional border between the Northern and Middle Caspian runs along the line of the island. Chechen - Cape Tyub-Karagansky, between the Middle and Southern Caspian Sea - along the line of the island. Residential - Cape Gan-Gulu. The area of ​​the Northern, Middle and Southern Caspian Sea is 25, 36, 39 percent, respectively.

Coast of the Caspian Sea

Coast of the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan

The territory adjacent to the Caspian Sea is called the Caspian region.

Peninsulas of the Caspian Sea

• Ashur-Ada
• Garasu
• Zyanbil
• Khara-Zira
• Sengi-Mugan
• Chygyl

Bays of the Caspian Sea

• Russia (Dagestan, Kalmykia and Astrakhan region) - in the west and northwest, the length of the coastline is about 1930 kilometers
• Kazakhstan - in the north, northeast and east, the length of the coastline is about 2320 kilometers
• Turkmenistan - in the southeast, the length of the coastline is about 650 kilometers
• Iran - in the south, the length of the coastline is about 1000 kilometers
• Azerbaijan - in the southwest, the length of the coastline is about 800 kilometers

Cities on the Caspian Sea coast

On Russian coast The cities of Lagan, Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Izberbash and the southernmost city of Russia, Derbent, are located. port city The Caspian Sea is also considered Astrakhan, which, however, is not located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, but in the Volga delta, 60 kilometers from north coast Caspian Sea.

Physiography

Area, depth, volume of water

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

Water level fluctuations

Vegetable world

The flora of the Caspian Sea and its coast is represented by 728 species. The predominant plants in the Caspian Sea are algae - blue-green, diatoms, red, brown, characeae and others, and flowering plants - zoster and ruppia. In origin, the flora is predominantly of Neogene age, but some plants were brought into the Caspian Sea by humans deliberately or on the bottoms of ships.

History of the Caspian Sea

Origin of the Caspian Sea

Anthropological and cultural history of the Caspian Sea

Finds in the Khuto u cave south coast The Caspian Sea indicates that man lived in these areas approximately 75 thousand years ago. The first mentions of the Caspian Sea and the tribes living on its coast are found in Herodotus. Around the V-II centuries. BC e. Saka tribes lived on the Caspian coast. Later, during the period of settlement of the Turks, in the period of the 4th-5th centuries. n. e. Talysh tribes (Talysh) lived here. According to ancient Armenian and Iranian manuscripts, Russians sailed the Caspian Sea from the 9th-10th centuries.

Research of the Caspian Sea

Research of the Caspian Sea was started by Peter the Great, when, on his order, an expedition was organized in 1714-1715 under the leadership of A. Bekovich-Cherkassky. In the 1720s, hydrographic research was continued by the expedition of Karl von Werden and F.I. Soimonov, and later by I.V. Tokmachev, M.I. Voinovich and other researchers. At the beginning of the 19th century, instrumental surveys of the shores were carried out by I. F. Kolodkin, in the mid-19th century. - instrumental geographical survey under the direction of N. A. Ivashintsev. Since 1866, for more than 50 years, expeditionary research on the hydrology and hydrobiology of the Caspian Sea was carried out under the leadership of N. M. Knipovich. In 1897, the Astrakhan Research Station was founded. In the first decades of Soviet power, geological research by I.M. Gubkin and other Soviet geologists was actively carried out in the Caspian Sea, mainly aimed at searching for oil, as well as research into the study of water balance and level fluctuations in the Caspian Sea.

Economy of the Caspian Sea

Mining of oil and gas

Many oil and gas fields are being developed in the Caspian Sea. Proven oil resources in the Caspian Sea are about 10 billion tons, total oil and gas condensate resources are estimated at 18-20 billion tons.

Oil production in the Caspian Sea began in 1820, when the first oil well was drilled on the Absheron shelf near Baku. In the second half of the 19th century, oil production began on an industrial scale on the Absheron Peninsula, and then in other territories.

Shipping

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

Fishing and seafood production

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

Recreational resources

Natural environment of the Caspian coast with sandy beaches, mineral waters and healing mud in the coastal zone creates good conditions for relaxation and treatment. At the same time, according to the degree of development of resorts and the tourism industry Caspian coast noticeably loses to the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. At the same time, in recent years, the tourism industry has been actively developing on the coasts of Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Russian Dagestan. Azerbaijan is actively developing resort area in the Baku region. A world-class resort has now been created in Amburan, another modern tourist complex is being built in the area of ​​the village of Nardaran, holidays in the sanatoriums of the villages of Bilgah and Zagulba are very popular. A resort area is also being developed in Nabran, in northern Azerbaijan. However high prices, in general, the low level of service and lack of advertising lead to the fact that Caspian resorts almost not foreign tourists. The development of the tourism industry in Turkmenistan is hampered by a long-term policy of isolation, in Iran - by Sharia laws, due to which mass holidays of foreign tourists on the Caspian coast of Iran are impossible.

Ecological problems

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

International status of the Caspian Sea

Legal status of the Caspian Sea

After the collapse of the USSR, the division of the Caspian Sea has long been and still remains the subject of unresolved disagreements related to the division of Caspian shelf resources - oil and gas, as well as biological resources. For a long time, negotiations were ongoing between the Caspian states on the status of the Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan insisted on dividing the Caspian along the median line, Iran insisted on dividing the Caspian by one-fifth between all Caspian states.

In relation to the Caspian Sea, the key is the physical-geographical circumstance that it is a closed inland body of water that does not have a natural connection with the World Ocean. Accordingly, the norms and concepts of international maritime law should not automatically apply to the Caspian Sea, in particular, the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Based on this, in relation to the Caspian Sea it would be unlawful to apply such concepts as “territorial sea”, “exclusive economic zone", "continental shelf", etc.

The current legal regime of the Caspian Sea was established by the Soviet-Iranian treaties of 1921 and 1940. These treaties provide for freedom of navigation throughout the sea, freedom of fishing with the exception of ten-mile national fishing zones and a ban on vessels flying the flag of non-Caspian states sailing in its waters.

Negotiations about legal status The Caspian Sea is currently ongoing.

Delineation of sections of the Caspian seabed for subsoil use

The Russian Federation concluded an agreement with Kazakhstan on delimiting the bottom of the northern part of the Caspian Sea in order to exercise sovereign rights to subsoil use (dated July 6, 1998 and the Protocol thereto dated May 13, 2002), an agreement with Azerbaijan on delimiting adjacent areas of the bottom of the northern part of the Caspian Sea (dated September 23, 2002), as well as the trilateral Russian-Azerbaijani-Kazakh agreement on the junction point of the demarcation lines of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea bottom (dated May 14, 2003), which established geographical coordinates dividing lines limiting the areas of the seabed within which the parties exercise their sovereign rights in the field of exploration and production of mineral resources.