The Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is a giant body of water between Europe and Asia. It is called a sea because of its huge size and salty water. But it does not connect to any ocean, so many people say it is really a lake. It is the biggest inland body of water in the world.

A Sea or a Lake?

Five countries touch the Caspian Sea: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The water is salty, but not as salty as the ocean. The Volga River, Europe's longest river, pours into the Caspian. Because it is closed in by land, scientists often call it the world's largest lake.

A fun picture tells the story of a giant ancient lake.
A fun picture tells the story of a giant ancient lake. (Dan.palcu / Wikimedia Commons)

Animals and Oil

The Caspian Sea is home to the Caspian seal, a small seal that lives only here. Sturgeon fish live in the sea and make eggs that are used to make caviar. Under the sea floor, there is a lot of oil and gas. Countries around the Caspian use this oil for energy.

Fun Facts

  • The Caspian Sea is about 143,000 square miles, bigger than many countries.
  • It is almost 92 feet below regular sea level.
  • Most of the world's caviar comes from Caspian sturgeon.

Did You Know?

The Caspian Sea got its name from the Caspi, an ancient group of people who lived near its shores long ago.