The Caspian Sea: A Vital but Threatened Inland Sea
The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, stretches across five countries and serves as a critical ecological, economic, and geopolitical hub. Bordered by Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan, this massive saline lake covers approximately 371,000 square kilometers—nearly 40% larger than Japan. Unlike typical lakes, the Caspian’s vast size, diverse marine life,…