Caspian is a sea in size, according to a number of physical-geographical features, history of development, and at the same time considered the largest lake of the world. The Caspian Sea has not any direct connection with other large water pools. The Caspian Sea, with dear and close name for us Khazar, was called differently during centuries (according to some information, about 70 names): the Abeskun Sea, the Albanian sea, the Guzgun Sea, Baku, Gilyan, Gurgan, Mugan, Caspian, etc.
The area of the Caspian Sea is approximately 380 000 square kilometers. According to the information of 1986, its level is 28 meters lower than the level of the World Ocean. The Volga, Kur, Lankaran, Vilash, Valvala, Garachay, Gudyal, Gusar flow into the Caspian Sea. The greatest depth (1025 meters) is in the Southern-Caspian hollow.
There are a lot of small islands in the Caspian Sea (Pirallahi, Jiloy, Plita, Zira, Mugan dashi, Garasu, Kur dashi, etc.). They are mainly used with economic purposes (petroleum production) though it would be possible to change them into zones of rest, entertainments, and fishery.
The Caspian Sea is a favorable water-way, guarantor of purity of the atmosphere and environment, an immortal monument of the landscape, integral part of native land and a source of the richest natural deposits. The main natural resources of the Caspian Sea are oil and gas. The oil contract (September, 1994), concluded with western concerns was named "the contract of the century" not casually. According to the forecasts of the experts who made investigations in connection with signing of the contract, new geological researches can change the Caspian Sea into the biggest barn of natural oil of the world. Now 67 per cent of oil and 95 per cent of gas of the Azerbaijan Republic is already extracted from offshore fields.
Caspian is also a wonderland. Over 100 artificial islands were created on the metal bases where the depth of water is more than 100 meters, and the general extension of the network overpass makes up more than 400 km. The legendary city “Oil Stones” stretches out on these overpasses with its multi-storey dwelling houses, public buildings, green plantings, promenade places and enterprises of culture and rest.
The Azerbaijan scientists state that now the limit of pollution of the Caspian Sea will reach the maximum. Every year 12 billion cube m. of dirty industrial water flows into the Caspian Sea. 11 billion cube m from it belongs to the share of Baku. Besides, the Kur and Araz become dirty in the territories of Georgia and Armenia, water of which also flows into the Caspian Sea. A catastrophe can happen, unless one doesn’t assume urgent measures. As a result of natural process of bacterial purification of the sea from polluting substances, the Caspian Sea, will consume oxygen more and more depending on the degree of pollution. It will bring to considerable growth of diseases, will cause disability of the population not only in coastal countries, but also in Europe.
Scientists mark that the most pollution in the area of water of the Caspian Sea accounts for Volga - about 90 %. The "Contribution" of Azerbaijan makes about 6 – 7 per cent. 0.08 per cent of pollution of the Azerbaijan sector on the Caspian Sea accounts for oil and gas branch. The index is comparatively low, but the problem remains. Now according to the contracts concluded with foreign companies after realization of 70 per cent of profit from the field, a fund is being formed for liquidation of consequences of exploitation.
There is more detailed information about the Caspian Sea on the site: http://nature.aznet.org.