Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Caspian Sea:
1.It is an endorheic basin.
2.Its waters are entirely fresh, as it is primarily fed by the Volga River system.
3.It is bordered by exactly five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanations:
- Statement 1 is correct: The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water and is technically an endorheic basin, meaning its water levels are balanced purely by evaporation and river inflows.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Although it receives massive freshwater inflows (the Volga River alone supplies about 80% of its water), the Caspian Sea is a saltwater (brackish) lake. Its salinity varies significantly, being nearly fresh in the north and saltier in the south, but it is not entirely fresh.
- Statement 3 is correct: The Caspian is uniquely bordered by exactly five littoral states: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
