 In the past, the Amu Darya (Oxus) of Central Asia in the east often changed course to empty into the Caspian through a now-desiccated riverbed called the Uzboy River, as did the Syr Darya farther north.The Caspian also has several small islands; they are primarily located in the north and have a collective land area of roughly .Adjacent to the North Caspian is the Caspian Depression, a low-lying region below sea level.