Astrakhan Region in 3 Russian words

1. ОЗЕРО БАСКУНЧАК (Lake Baskunchak)

Baskunchak is one of the saltiest lakes in the world, with a whopping 300 grams of salt per liter of water. Salt mining there began even before the Common Era, during the Scythian era and, today, the lake meets 80 percent of the country's salt needs. A special railway was even built to transport it.

2. АРБУЗ (Watermelon)

Astrakhan Region is the leader in watermelon cultivation in Russia. For centuries, sweet, ripe and juicy watermelons have been harvested there, both with classic red flesh and with yellow, orange, white and even green varieties. Some specimens weigh over 70 kg!

3. ЧЕРНАЯ ИКРА (Black Caviar)

Astrakhan black caviar is valued for its amazing taste and large roe with a thin shell that literally melts in your mouth. This exquisite delicacy is obtained from a hybrid species of sturgeon, which is the result of crossing beluga and sterlet sturgeon.