The Caspian Sea: The world's largest inland body

Mining of salt, limestone, stone, sand and clay is carried on the Caspian Sea. Currently there is mad scramble over resources, transportation routes and fishing rights in the Caspian Sea. All the main routes between the oil producing areas and the Western industrialized areas runs through the Caucasus, a region known for its instability and insurgencies. One oil spill could kill lots of sturgeon and deal a serious blow to the caviar industry.