Caspian Sea

the largest lake in the world, not fresh water. It lies on the borderland between Europe and Asia. Its greatest length from north to south is 730 miles; its greatest width, 270 miles; its area, about 170,000 square miles, nearly twice that of the American Great Lakes combined. The surface is 85 feet below that of the ocean. The water is less salt than that of the ocean, but is yellow in color, and exceedingly bitter. It is, of course, without an outlet, but has a number of tributaries, including the Volga, the largest river in Europe. Rapid evaporation prevents the water from rising. There are valuable fisheries, including those of carp, perch, trout, and especially sturgeon. Porpoises, seals, and tortoises are taken on the northern coast. A fleet of fishing and merchant ships finds shelter in the various harbors. Baku, at the western end, is celebrated for petroleum oil; Astrakhan, on the Volga near its mouth, is the principal Caspian port. Portions of the sea are very deep, possibly over 3,000 feet, but numerous shallows prevent the employment of vessels having draft to exceed ten feet. See Asia; Volga; Astrakhan; Baku