Physico-Geographical Conditions of the Caspian Sea

Abstract

The main physico-geographical features of the Caspian Sea are under consideration. They includebrief description of the coasts, bottom relief and sediments, peculiarities of the deltas areas ofVolga, Ural and other rivers of the Caspian Sea. General information on the Caspian Sea region hydrometeorologicalcharacteristics (wind, waves, storm surges, sea ice) is given. Special attention is paid to mainfactors of the sea-water balance (river runoff, precipitation, evaporation, outflow to the Kara-Bogaz-GolBay). Long-term variability of these parameters is shown for the past century resulting in the analysisof the Caspian Sea level variability. The main reasons of significant changes of the sea level arediscussed.