PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY — Identify the inland (landlocked) sea. An “inland sea” is a large water body entirely enclosed by land with no natural outlet to the world ocean. Which of the following is an inland sea?

Introduction / Context:
An inland sea is a large saline or brackish water body that is completely landlocked, meaning it has no direct natural connection to the global ocean. This concept often appears in physical geography to test understanding of regional basins, drainage, and plate-tectonic histories.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The task is to choose which named sea is fully enclosed by land.
• Some options are marginal seas of the ocean (partly enclosed) while others are truly inland basins.
• No calculations are required; the decision is based on geographic characteristics.

Concept / Approach:
Evaluate each sea for landlocked status. An inland sea must be surrounded by land and lack a natural, open connection to the ocean. Marginal seas (like the Caribbean or Yellow) are connected to the ocean via straits or broad openings, so they are not inland by definition.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Check the Caribbean Sea → it is part of the Atlantic Ocean, open through multiple straits.Check the Red Sea → connected to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Aden (Bab-el-Mandeb), hence oceanic.Check the Yellow Sea → an embayment of the western Pacific (East China Sea), thus oceanic.Check the Caspian Sea → completely landlocked between Europe and Asia; no natural ocean outlet.Aral Sea → also landlocked, but it is a shrinking lake; among the classic “seas,” Caspian is the definitive inland sea.

Verification / Alternative check:
Map inspection shows the Caspian bounded by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan, confirming its enclosed nature. Its water balance depends on river inflow (e.g., Volga) and evaporation rather than tides.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Caribbean Sea — open to the Atlantic; not landlocked.Red Sea — opens to the world ocean via Bab-el-Mandeb.Yellow Sea — an arm of the Pacific; not inland.Aral Sea — landlocked but typically termed a lake; the better-known inland “sea” in geographies is the Caspian.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating “partly enclosed” with “inland.” Only fully landlocked basins qualify as inland seas.

Final Answer:
Caspian Sea