The Caspian Sea sits between Europe and Asia as the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water, shaping regional trade, ecology, and culture for centuries. Its shoreline communities and ports reflect a mix of oil wealth, fishing, and maritime history that draws interest from travellers and researchers alike.
There are 5 Caspian Sea Bordering Countries, ranging from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan. For each country you’ll find below Flag (emoji),Coastline (km),Major ports so you can quickly compare coast lengths and principal harbours — you’ll find below.
Which countries border the Caspian Sea?
Five countries share the Caspian shoreline: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Together they manage fisheries, offshore energy fields, and shipping routes, with jurisdiction and cooperation shaped by regional agreements.
What are the main ports and how do the coastlines differ?
Coastline length varies: northern shores (Russia, Kazakhstan) are broader and more marshy, while southern and western coasts (Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan) host major ports and oil infrastructure. Key ports include Baku (Azerbaijan), Aktau (Kazakhstan), Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan), Astrakhan and Makhachkala (Russia), and Bandar-e Anzali (Iran), each serving trade, energy exports, or regional ferry links.
Caspian Sea Bordering Countries
| Country | Flag (emoji) | Coastline (km) | Major ports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 🇷🇺 | 1,120 | Makhachkala, Derbent, Astrakhan |
| Kazakhstan | 🇰🇿 | 1,894 | Aktau, Kuryk, Bautino |
| Turkmenistan | 🇹🇲 | 1,150 | Turkmenbashi, Hazar, Awaza |
| Iran | 🇮🇷 | 740 | Bandar-e Anzali, Nowshahr, Bandar-e Torkaman |
| Azerbaijan | 🇦🇿 | 800 | Baku, Sumgait, Lankaran |
Images and Descriptions
Russia
Russia’s Caspian coast lies along the northwest and north, featuring ports like Makhachkala, Derbent and Astrakhan. Northern shelf has oil and fishing; strategic Volga delta access. Russia is a key littoral state involved in regional resource and security agreements.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s long eastern Caspian coast hosts Aktau, Kuryk and Bautino. The Kazakh shelf contains major oil and gas fields, and ports support export and ferry links to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Offshore boundaries have been settled with neighbors.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s southern Caspian shoreline centers on Turkmenbashi port, key for oil, major natural gas reserves, and export pipelines. Coastal development includes tourism zones; maritime delimitation and resource sharing with neighbors remain important political issues.
Iran
Iran’s southern Caspian coast runs along the south and southwest, with ports like Bandar-e Anzali and Nowshahr. Region supports fisheries, caviar production and oil/gas activity; Iranian claims and ecosystem concerns factor into regional Caspian cooperation.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s coastline centers on Baku, a major oil and gas hub with extensive offshore fields and ports like Sumgait. The country has been pivotal in Caspian energy projects and negotiated maritime boundaries with neighbors.
