Jena Lundy, age 15, of Florence, S.C., for her question:

IS THE CASPIAN SEA A SEA?

Actually, the Caspian Sea is a lake. In fact, it is the largest inland body of water in the world. You'll find it between Europe and Asia east of the Caucasus Mountains. Iran lies against the Caspian Sea's southern shore while Russia surrounds the three other sides.

The huge lake is about the same size as the state of California. It is about 750 miles long and varies from 130 to 300 miles in width.

The Caspian Sea is a salt lake that lies 92 feet below sea level and has no outlets to any ocean. It is shrinking in size because the rivers that feed it provide less water than that lost by evaporation each year. Important rivers giving the large lake its water include the Volga, Ural, Terek and Kura.