Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan - one of its largest industrial, political and scientific centers. It is also the largest settlement in the entire Caucasus. Baku is also a port city. The capital of Azerbaijan is located on the territory of Baku Bay.
Main characteristics of the Baku port
What is the sea in Baku and what role does it play for the city? The answer is the Caspian Sea. The port, located in the capital of Azerbaijan, is the only one throughout the republic. It was founded in 1902. Through the Baku port, trade is carried out with all countries whose coasts are washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. And also through this port, the country has access to world markets - through the Volga-Don and Volga-Baltic canals. The Baku port has a large number of terminals: oil, ferry, container and others. In the future, the government of the republic plans to move the country's main port to the city of Alat. Its construction began in 2010.
Caspian Sea: general information
Many people ask: "What is the sea in Baku?" The largest body of water thanks to which Baku has so many advantages is, of course, the Caspian Sea. It represents the largest drainage reservoir on the whole Earth. From north to south, the sea stretches for 1,200 km. The width of the Caspian varies in different places from 200 to 435 km, and the total area is 390 thousand square meters. km The depth of the Caspian Sea is also impressive - it is 1,025 m.
Is the Caspian a sea?
But many Baku residents can skeptically answer: “What is the sea in Baku? After all, the Caspian is not it. ” And they will be to some extent right. In fact, any sea is part of the oceans. For this reason alone, the Caspian cannot be classified as a sea. Indeed, geographically, the Caspian is completely separated from its waters. The closest point from here, which belongs to the waters of the oceans, is the Black Sea. And even before it, the shortest distance from the Caspian will be about 500 km. That is why the Caspian is so often called the lake or lake-sea. Although sometime, perhaps, the question "What is the sea in Baku?" might sound fair to some extent. Indeed, in the distant past, it, indeed, was part of the Black and Azov Seas.
Caspian Sea Lake - the only one on the whole planet
The Caspian Sea is a completely unique natural phenomenon. For example, in winter its northern part is completely covered with ice. You can often see seals on it. The northern shores are turning into a real winter desert. Meanwhile, in the south of the lake-sea, numerous species of animals find shelter - porcupines, wild boars, tigers. Water on the Caspian Sea does not freeze here.
The fact that the sea is in Baku has a great influence on the industry of the whole republic of Azerbaijan. Indeed, in its waters laden large reserves of sulfates - the necessary substances for the chemical and leather industries. And on the banks and bottom of the Caspian there are large deposits of "black gold" - oil.
Do Baku people like to swim?
In fact, regarding bathing, Baku residents have their own passions. Which sea washes their hometown - clean or dirty? And is there, in general, the opportunity to swim in it?
The answers to these questions will be as follows. Baku People themselves prefer only walking along the city promenades. The Caspian waters in the city are dirty for swimming. But here you can breathe fresh air and enjoy the scenery. And in order to swim, residents of the capital of Azerbaijan prefer other places of the Absheron peninsula. These are villages called Shikhovo, Shuvelyan, Amburan and many others. Arriving there, you can always find crystal clear water and neat beaches. Water may be slightly cloudy due to sand only off the coast of the Caspian.
Climate of the city and the Caspian Sea
Features of the urban climate are largely determined by the sea in Baku. Azerbaijan is known for its diversity regarding climatic conditions. The country has territories with a temperate climate and subtropical. But in Baku, many call the weather conditions ideal. In the cold season, the temperature rarely drops below + 5 ° C. And in summer, the average indicator of the thermometer is about + 30-35 ° . But the proximity of the Caspian makes it very easy to tolerate heat. Baku has a large number of parks and gardens, which adds to the appearance of the city of coziness and hospitality.
There are about 50 islands in the Caspian. Their total area is about 400 square meters. km The main ones are Tyuleny, Chechnya, Dzhambaysky, Ogurchinsky and other islands. Many rivers flow into the Caspian - about 130 in total. The most famous of them are the Volga, Ural, Terek, and Kura. The salinity of the sea varies depending on the territory. In its northern parts, it is 0.1 ppm. In the Volga delta, this number is already 10-12 ppm. And in the middle of the sea-lake and in its south, salinity is 12.5–13.5 ppm.
The Caspian Sea is rich in various species of fish. The industry here is mainly associated with the fishing of gobies, carps, salmon and sturgeons. In the waters of the Caspian Sea there are also migrant fish brought here from the Mediterranean and even the Arctic. The Caspian is a surprisingly rich place: each year the lake can produce up to 550 thousand tons of fish. And about 6 million waterfowl migrate annually through the sea. Therefore, the economy of the capital of Azerbaijan is largely determined by the sea in Baku. Its name as the sea will also be fair because it corresponds to this definition with its level of salinity. But freshwater fish are also found here: common carp, pike perch, roach.