Caspian Sea of around 149,200 square miles (386,400 square km)— bigger than the region of Japan—and its surface lies somewhere in the range of 90 feet (27 meters) below sea level. The sea bed in the southern part reaches as low as 1,023 m (3,356 ft) below sea level, which is the second lowest natural depression on earth after Lake Baikal (−1,180 m, −3,871 ft). The ancient inhabitants of its coast perceived the Caspian Sea as an ocean, probably because of its saltiness and large size. The sea has a surface area of 371,000 km (143,200 sq mi) (not including the detached
Banlao Township to a township in 1988. As of 2017, the township is divided into 6 villages: Shangbanlao (), Xiabanlao (), Xinzhai (), Yingpan (), Bangao (), and Palang (). The highest point in the township is Mount Gongmoxiang () which stands above sea level. The lowest point is Dongnahai (), which, at above sea level. The Nangun River (), Nanyi River (), Nanka River (), tributaries of the Nu River, flow through the township. The Shangbanlao Reservoir () is the largest body of water in the township. The township enjoys a subtropical humid monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of