Why Caspian Sea and Dead Sea called Sea instead of lake, Caspian lake and Dead lake?

Question

Why Caspian Sea and Dead Sea called Sea instead of lake, Caspian lake and Dead lake?

Answer 1

Two reasons -  they (were) freaking HUGE years ago - somewhat dried up now though, and much smaller.

And - they're somewhat salty - almost like the ocean.

Find an old world almanac atlas or map and look at them - you'll how see huge they were at one time.

Answer 2

Salt water.

Answer 3

A 'Sea' sounds more dramatic than a plain old 'Lake'. This was important in biblical times.

Answer 4

Lake connotes fresh (drinkable) water. But Caspian Sea (85' below Sea level) and Dead Sea (1187' below Sea level) are very Salty. water density of the latter sea is marginally more than sea water even, so that one can float in it without drowning. The density rules out any marine life like fishes and hence the name 'Dead Sea'. They are both evaporating fast and so the salt content increases. The rate of evaporation that makes Dead Sea saltier with time is not offset by River Jordan that empties in it. Caspian sea is far larger and longest river of Europe, the 'Volga' empties into it. Its delta and adjacent areas of Russian federation and Kazakhstan lie below the 'Mean sea Level'.

Answer 5

They are both saline, meaning salty.  Lakes are usually classified as fresh water.

As for Caspian Sea being the largest lake, its due to its isolation from all other major saline bodies of water that are connected (oceans and seas).

Answer 6

dunno