Caspian Sea

Traveling to the Caspian Sea and sightseeing in this beautiful coastal area is always one of the first choices of every Iranian for travel. The largest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea, has rich oil and gas resources, as well as valuable animals such as caviar, which is why it is of great importance to the neighboring countries.

In this article from tourism magazine flytodaywe decide to take you to this green and prosperous region and talk about topics such as the geographical location of the Caspian Sea, the cities and countries bordering it and the creatures that live in it. If you want to go to the north of Iran and see this magnificent lake up close, but you don’t know which city to live in, stay with us until the end.

Where is the Caspian Sea?

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, which geographically has a very important and strategic position. This wide water area connects Iran from the northern part to its northern border countries. Iran’s northern and western neighbors in the Caspian Sea are Russia and Azerbaijan, and its eastern neighbors are Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. In terms of water connections, this lake plays an important role in connecting these countries to each other.

The Caspian Sea, or the Caspian Sea, was once a part of the Tethys Sea. In the past, the Tethys Sea was a bridge connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. With the passage of time and the movement of the earth’s plates, this great lake was separated from the oceans and gradually became its present form. In fact, this vast sea is the largest lake on earth, which many people mistakenly call the smallest sea; But why does this error occur? The reason for this mistake is that usually the large expanses of water that lead to the ocean are called seas, while the Caspian Sea is considered a lake surrounded by land and has no way to go anywhere.

How was the name of the Caspian Sea changed over time?

Did you know that this ancient lake was known in the past by names such as Khavainsky, Hyrkanian, Mazandaran, Abskun, Jurjan and Qania? Also, in old travelogues, this sea was also called Caspian. This diversity in naming shows the high importance and special place of this sea throughout history.

The Caspian Sea of ​​Iran has been a valuable source of natural blessings since the distant past. Fishing is one of the oldest and most important businesses that flourished on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and in addition to providing part of the food needs of people throughout the country, it has also created various jobs and economic prosperity in these areas. Some historical sources show that the Khazar people have tried several times to attack Iran’s borders throughout history. However, the Sassanid kings prevented these attacks from happening and maintained the security of Iran.

What is the length and width of the Caspian Sea?

The largest lake in the world has significant dimensions. Its length is between 1030 and 1200 km and its width varies between 196 and 435 km in different places. One of the unique features of the North Caspian Sea is the location of its water level at a lower height than the open water level. This height difference has led to distinct climatic and biological conditions compared to open seas, which affects many environmental and economic aspects of the region.

How deep is the Caspian Sea?

The Caspian Sea of ​​Iran is a vast expanse of water whose depth reaches more than 1000 meters in some areas. This great depth has made it one of the deepest lakes in the world. Compared to the waters of the Persian Gulf, which has a depth of about 100 meters, this vast lake is much deeper. Of course, you should also know that the depth of the Caspian Sea is not the same in all its parts and the existence of underwater hills has caused unevenness in its bottom.

The northern part of the Caspian Sea is its shallowest part. About 29% of the total area of ​​this sea is its northern part, and the average water depth in this area reaches 6 meters. It is interesting to know that the deepest point in this section is not more than 10 meters. In other words, the northern part of this water area has very little depth.

The middle part of this sea, which is also very important, covers about 36% of its total surface. On average, the water depth in this area is 175 meters. Its deepest part is about 790 meters deep. The southern part of the Caspian Sea occupies about 35% of the total area of ​​this sea, and in terms of water volume, this part is the deepest and most voluminous part with 64% of the total water volume of this area. The deepest point of the largest lake in the world is also located in this part, which reaches 1025 meters. On average, the water depth in this area is about 300 meters.

Which Iranian cities have a coastal border with the Caspian Sea?

The north of the country is always known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iran. The presence of various natural attractions such as green forests, high mountains and beautiful beaches has made this area a paradise for nature lovers. One of the most important decisions when traveling north is choosing the right beach town. Getting to know each of these cities will help you choose the best destination for your trip. In the following, we introduce the cities that have a coastal border with this sea.

Gilan province

Gilan province is considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular northern provinces, which is located on the coastal strip of this sea. Many cities of this province are coastal and have many tourist attractions. In the following, we will introduce the coastal cities of Gilan province to make it easier for you to choose a place to stay.

Roadser on the southern edge of the Caspian Sea

Rodsar city is one of the most spectacular coastal cities of this province, which is located on the southern edge of the North Caspian Sea. Due to its special geographical location, this city has a mild and humid climate. Doab Siahkolroud and Kalachai beach park are famous tourist attractions of this city.

Rasht The center of Gilan

The well-known city of Rasht is considered one of the most important and busy cities in the northern region of our country. This beautiful city, as the center of Gilan province, has always welcomed many travelers. Travelers can enjoy the beautiful beaches of Iran’s Caspian Sea by traveling to Khokhbijar and Khammam regions and create happy moments for themselves.

Langrod | One of the most beautiful coastal cities

Langrod city, despite the attractive coastal cities such as Chaf and Chamkhale BeachIt is a popular destination for tourists. Tourists can relax on the sandy beaches of this city and enjoy the beautiful views of the Caspian Sea. Also, visiting tourist attractions such as Flamingo Island and Galshkalam Village provides an unforgettable experience for travelers.

Lahijan | House of tea plantations

Lahijan, a city known for its fragrant and tasty cookies, has various tourist attractions such as green tea plantations, lovely lake and Shaytankoh mountain area.

Astana Ashrafieh from other neighbors of the Caspian Sea

Astana Ashrafieh is another city that has a coastal border with this huge lake. The center of this city is the city of Astana Ashrafieh, and the port of Kiashahr is also considered one of its important parts. Among the tourist attractions of Astana Ashrafieh and Kiasher port, we can mention the beach park, Bojag National Park, Kiasher forest park and Kiasher wooden bridge.

Astara One of the most important commercial cities of Gilan province

Astara is considered one of the most important commercial cities of Gilan province and is located in the neighborhood of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This coastal city has two main parts, Astara and Lundville, and has been the focus of domestic and foreign tourists for years. Hiran Pass, Bibiyanlu Forest Park, Steel Lagoon, Sadaf Beach and Bird Garden are just a few of the natural and unique beauties of this area that you should see closely. By booking one Astara hotels You can stay in this city for a few days and go shopping and sightseeing.

Rezvanshahr One of the popular tourist destinations in the north of the country

Rezvanshahr is a city located in the northwestern part of Gilan province and has a coastal border with the world’s largest lake. This city consists of two cities, Rezvanshahr and Pardhsar, both of which are popular destinations for tourists in the north of the country. The presence of unspoiled natural attractions such as Shafarood beach and Gisum Forest Park has added to the attractiveness of this area.

Attempt With dense forests and unique beaches

Talesh city is located in the northern part of Gilan province and is considered one of the most important coastal cities in northern Iran. This city includes the cities of Islam, Talesh, Lisar, Haweik and Chobar. The presence of high mountains, dense forests and unique beaches have created spectacular landscapes in this region. Gisum forest and beach, Emerald waterfall, Varzan waterfall, summer villages and Saragah lake are some of the most special tourist attractions of this city.

Golestan province

Golestan province, centered in Gorgan city, is one of the northern provinces of our country, which has a beautiful coastline. For this reason, several cities of this province are included in the category of coastal cities in northern Iran. In the following, we introduce 3 attractive coastal cities of this province, namely Gamishan, Bandar Turkmen and Bandar Gaz. These cities are adjacent to the beautiful coast of the Caspian Sea and each has its own tourist attractions.

Bandar Gaz A historic and spectacular city

Bandar Gaz is a historical and scenic city in Golestan province, which is located on the border of this province with Mazandaran. In addition to pristine nature and beautiful beaches, there are also wonderful historical monuments in this city; Works such as the old fire temple, the old castle and the bride of the castle, which are signs of the long history of this area. Bagu Forest Park and Alireza Imamzadeh are also other attractions that you can visit on your trip to Bandar Gaz.

Turkmen port One of the important ports in the north of the country

Bandar Turkmen is a city with a not so long history, but with a proud history. This beautiful city is located in the west of Golestan province and is known as one of the most important ports in Iran. Turkmen Port was established in 1306 and has been of special importance since the past due to its location on the national railway route of Iran.

Gamishan | Home of various plant and animal species

Gamishan city is one of the western cities of Golestan province. This coastal city is an attractive destination for tourists with various tourist attractions such as Golfeshan Qaran and Gamishan International Lagoon, Abskun Island, Gamishetepe Museum of Anthropology. The proximity of this city to the Turkmen port and its location in the northern part of the Iran-Turkmenistan border have made this city even more important.

Mazandaran province

This beautiful and spectacular province is located in the southern part of the Caspian Sea and contains various coastal cities. Golden sand beaches, green forests and mild climate are among the reasons that make Mazandaran an ideal travel destination. Next, we will introduce the coastal cities of this province.

bottleneck | With spectacular natural attractions

Golugah city is located in the east of Mazandaran province, which is why it has a common border with Golestan province. This beautiful city has a beach in Kolbad and the center of the city. In Golugah, there are other diverse tourist attractions that are worth watching. The unspoiled area of ​​Toska Cheshme, the green and clean villages, the historical road of Shah Abbasi, as well as the forest road from Gulgah to Damghan, etc. are among the tourist attractions of this city.

Behshahr | One of the most different coastal cities of Mazandaran province

Behshahr city is one of the most beautiful and different coastal cities of Mazandaran province. Rostamkola, Khalilshahr and Behshahr districts, in addition to easy access to the beautiful Caspian coast, also benefit from historical and natural attractions such as Mellat Park, Sefidabad Palace, and Cheshme Madan.

Meanderwood | From the cities of the Caspian coast

Miandorud city is one of the other coastal cities of this province. Among the important and scenic cities of this city, we can mention Taghdeh city, which is known as one of the coastal cities of northern Iran.

Sari | One of the most important tourist hubs of Iran

city Sari is the capital of Mazandaran province and one of the most important tourism centers of Iran. This beautiful city is located on the coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran and provides easy access to the sea. Chort Lake, Suleiman Tange Dam, Badab Surat Spring and Eldanan Lake are other natural attractions that Sari ticket reservation And traveling to this area, you can see it closely.

Ramsar One of the popular destinations for domestic and foreign tourists

Ramsar is undoubtedly one of the popular destinations for domestic and foreign tourists. This coastal city, with many natural and historical attractions, hosts a large number of travelers every year. Among the most important tourist attractions of Ramsar, we can mention Javaherdeh summer resort, Safaroud forest park, Sadat Mahaleh hot spring, Iranian garden, cable car and Dalkhani forest.

Faridunkanar With pristine nature and breathtaking views

Due to its pristine nature and beautiful scenery, Fereydunkanar welcomes many tourists from all over the country every year. Many travelers choose Faridunknar as their travel destination to experience relaxation and enjoy the coastal scenery of the Caspian Sea.

Stream A popular destination for nature lovers

Juibar city, with various natural attractions such as the pristine beach of Chepkrod, the beautiful Larim lagoon, the historical clay bridge and the Siahroud river, is an attractive destination for tourists and nature lovers.

Babolsar It has a unique nature

This spectacular city, which is located in the north of Mazandaran province, has a unique and beautiful nature. In this city, travelers can enjoy various water activities, walking on the beach, visiting historical and natural attractions, and enjoying local cuisine.

Getting to know the shores of the Caspian Sea Which beach is better?

The remarkable thing about the shores of the Caspian Sea is that the quality of the shores of this sea varies from one region to another. What the beaches of the world’s largest lake have in common is their stunning beauty. However, in recent years, some beaches have been polluted due to the lack of hygiene by some people and have turned into places for dumping waste or sewage. Of course, you can still find pristine and untouched beaches on the edge of this lake.

Each of the northern coasts of the country has its own unique beauty and can host those who love nature and peace. Choosing the best beach among all Caspian beaches depends on the personal taste and interests of each person. The most important point that you should pay attention to when traveling to these areas is to maintain the cleanliness of the environment and comply with the laws of that area; Because all people should benefit from this divine blessing.

What countries does the Caspian Sea border with?

The largest lake in the world borders Russia from the north, Russia and the Republic of Azerbaijan from the west, and Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan from the east. In other words, five vast and diverse countries cover the shores of this lake. The rich resources of oil and gas in the bed of this lake have caused competition between all these countries. The existence of the coasts of the North Caspian Sea in these countries has led to the formation of businesses such as sea transportation, fishing and tourism in them.

What is the weather like in the Caspian Sea?

The Caspian Sea has unique characteristics in terms of climate. This sea is affected by various air currents that cause significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. In hot seasons, the air of this lake is mild and humid and has high humidity, which will cause fog and scattered rains. On the other hand, the winters of the Caspian Sea are cold with snow and rain. In general, the climate of this sea is influenced by geographical factors such as sea currents and the topography of the region.

What are the animals of the Caspian Sea?

The Caspian Sea of ​​Iran is a rich and diverse habitat in the world. This lake, which is a remnant of an ancient sea, hosts more than 850 animal species and 500 plant species. Many of these species are native to this region and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The high biodiversity of this area is the result of its different geographical conditions. Fishes such as elephant fish, caviar, needle fish and all kinds of tapeworms are among the most important and valuable species of the Caspian Sea.

Iran’s Caspian Sea is facing serious challenges these days and excessive fishing and climate changes have endangered the lives of many animals in this ecosystem. This issue is an alarm for all of us. It might be interesting for you to know that there are no sharks in Caspian Lake. Sharks usually live in salty waters; But the Caspian is a semi-saline lake. In other words, the salinity of Caspian water is not the same as sea water. This difference in salinity has made the Caspian Sea unsuitable for sharks and these marine creatures cannot survive in this environment.

Which dangerous animals live in the North Caspian Sea?

In addition to the rich biodiversity, the Caspian Sea hosts a unique mammal called the Caspian jaw. This marine mammal is the only species that spends its entire life in the Caspian Sea. Caspian jaws migrate according to seasonal changes. They spend summers in the southern part of the Caspian and winters in its northern parts. Unfortunately, the population of Caspian jaws has decreased significantly in the 20th century and now this species is facing a serious threat of extinction.

In 1390 and 1401, extensive floods occurred in the mountainous areas of Mazandaran province, which led to the forced relocation of a large number of poisonous snakes to the coastal areas of the Mazandaran sea in areas such as Kalardasht. According to the published reports, these poisonous reptiles have been observed in different areas such as Dujman, Radio Darya in Chalus, Hachiroud, Imamroud, Sitra, Pol Mashlak and Khairud. This incident has caused concern about the attack of these poisonous reptiles on humans.

How is Caspian Sea caviar obtained?

Sturgeons, known by the scientific name of estrogen, are considered one of the most valuable aquatic species in the world. A number of different species of these fish in fresh water Caspians grow. The interesting thing about sturgeon fish is their very long life, which reaches 100 years. For this reason, they are called “living fossils”.

In the world, about 27 species of sturgeon have been identified, fortunately, 5 of them live in the internal waters of Iran and the North Caspian Sea. These fish have a significant contribution to the global production of caviar; So that more than 93% of the world’s caviar is obtained from these species. Elephant fish, ozonbron, sheep caviar fish and tasmahi fish are among the fish that supply Caspian caviar.

An unforgettable trip to the Caspian Sea

As the largest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea is always an attractive destination for tourists and nature lovers. The immense beauty of this natural attraction has made people go there in all seasons of the year and enjoy watching it. Golden sandy beaches, azure waters and pristine natural scenery of this lake leave unforgettable moments for travelers.

In this article, we talked about the geographical characteristics and size of this extraordinary lake, and then we went to the cities and countries that have a coastal border with the world’s largest lake. After that, we talked about the creatures that live in this ecosystem. In your opinion, which coastal cities of this sea are suitable for staying and traveling, both in the short term and in the long term? Write us in the comments section.

Frequently asked questions about the Caspian Sea