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Article: The Caspian Sea: an uncertain future.(EnvironmentWatch)
- Article from:
- UN Chronicle
- Article date:
- September 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 United Nations Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The Caspian Sea, the largest inland body of water on Earth with a total surface area of 371,000 square kilometres and one of the world's smallest seas, geographically represents the intersection of Europe and Asia. This explains the uniqueness of its biodiversity and the strategical importance of its enormous oil and gas supplies, which have been the main points of concern for Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan-the countries surrounding the Sea.
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However, environmental issues have rarely been a high priority for the national governments, nor ...