Kazakhstan has the Caspian Sea’s longest shoreline.
The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water by surface area. Despite its name, it is commonly classified as a lake because it has no natural connection to the world’s oceans. Kazakhstan’s coastline occupies the sea’s northeastern and eastern sectors and is longer than that of any other Caspian littoral state.
The Caspian is bordered by five countries: Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Its water level and shoreline have changed repeatedly because of variations in river inflow, evaporation, and regional climate. The Volga River supplies most of the inflowing water.
The sea is noted for valuable fisheries, especially sturgeon associated with caviar production, and for substantial oil and natural-gas resources beneath its seabed. These resources have made maritime boundaries and the legal status of the sea politically important.
The Caspian’s northern portion is relatively shallow, while its southern basin is much deeper. Kazakhstan’s port of Aktau is a major transport center on the eastern shore, linking Caspian shipping with rail and road routes across Central Asia.