The Caspian Sea, recognized as the largest lake on Earth, forms the boundary between Europe and Asia while also serving as Turkmenistan’s western border. With an extensive coastline stretching 1,200 kilometers, this immense body of water earned its “sea” designation due to its vast size and geological history as a former ocean floor. Situated approximately 27 meters below sea level, the Caspian Sea covers an impressive area of around 371,000 square kilometers and reaches depths of up to 1,025 meters, making it one of the deepest lakes globally. The water in the Caspian Sea is notably salty.
The coastline along Turkmenistan’s part of the Caspian is characterized by its rugged, limestone-rich terrain. The principal urban center on this coast is Turkmenbashi, formerly known as Krasnovodsk. Additionally, the coastline features several notable bays, with the largest being Kara-Bogaz-Gol, which is linked to the Caspian Sea via a narrow isthmus.
Situated in the northwestern region of Turkmenistan, the Kara-Bogaz-Gol bay derives its name from the Turkmen language, where it translates to «lake of the black strait» or alternatively as “black throat.” Historically, this area was notorious for its perilous conditions.
In reality, Kara-Bogaz-Gol is effectively a separate lake, connected to the Caspian Sea by a narrow isthmus less than 200 meters wide. Positioned at a lower elevation than the Caspian, Kara-Bogaz-Gol receives millions of cubic meters of water from the Caspian each year, carrying with it 13-15 million tons of salt. Due to high evaporation rates, the water levels in Kara-Bogaz-Gol fluctuate significantly, and when the lake dries up, it leaves behind deposits of mirabilite (Glauber’s salt) along its shores. As a result, the bay is occasionally referred to as the “sea of white gold.” This region is renowned for its mirabilite production, which is extensively utilized in chemical and pharmaceutical applications.
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