Caspian Sea

geography · Asia · Europe · water

Biggest inland water. The Caspian Sea is the world's largest lake or sea that doesn't connect to the ocean. It covers an area about the size of Japan, which is absolutely enormous.

Less salty than ocean. While the Caspian Sea is salty, it's only about one-third as salty as regular seawater. This makes it a unique in-between, not quite fresh water and not quite like the ocean.

Five countries share it. The Caspian Sea touches five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. It sits right where Europe meets Asia.

Trapped and landlocked. The Caspian Sea is an endorheic basin, which means water flows into it but never flows out to the ocean. All the water that enters has to stay put or evaporate.