Part of the World Ocean, bounded by Europe and Africa from the east and North and South America from the west. The name comes from the name of the titan Atlas (Atlanta) in Greek mythology.
It is inferior in size only to the Quiet; its area is approximately 91.56 million km2. It is distinguished from other oceans by the strong indentation of the coastline, which forms numerous seas and bays, especially in the northern part. In addition, the total area of river basins flowing into this ocean or its marginal seas is much larger than that of rivers flowing into any other ocean. Another difference Atlantic Ocean is a relatively small number of islands and a complex bottom topography, which, thanks to underwater ridges and uplifts, forms many separate basins.
States of the coast of the Atlantic Ocean-49 countries:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Gabon, Haiti, Guyana, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Iceland , Spain, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint -Lucia, Suriname, USA, Sierra Leone, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, France, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa.
NORTHERN ATLANTIC OCEAN
It is divided into northern and southern parts, the border between which is conditionally drawn along the equator. From an oceanographic point of view, however, the equatorial countercurrent, located at 5–8° N latitude, should be attributed to the southern part of the ocean. The northern boundary is usually drawn along the Arctic Circle. In some places this boundary is marked by underwater ridges.
Borders and coastline
in the northern hemisphere has a heavily indented coastline. Its narrow northern part connects with the Northern Arctic Ocean three narrow straits. In the northeast, the Davis Strait, 360 km wide, connects it with the Baffin Sea, belonging to the Arctic Ocean. In the central part, between Greenland and Iceland, is Denmark Strait the width at its narrowest point is only 287 km. Finally, in the northeast, between Iceland and Norway, is the Norwegian Sea, approx. 1220 km. East of Atlantic Ocean two water areas deeply protruding into the land are separated. The more northern of them begins with the North Sea, which to the east passes into the Baltic Sea with the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland. To the south there is a system of inland seas - the Mediterranean and the Black - with a total length of approx. 4000 km.
In the tropical zone in the southwest of the North Atlantic are the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, connected to the ocean by the Strait of Florida. The coast of North America is indented by small bays (Pamlico, Barnegat, Chesapeake, Delaware and Long Island Sound); to the northwest are the Bays of Fundy and St. Lawrence, Belle Isle, Hudson Strait, and Hudson Bay.
CURRENTS
Surface currents in the northern part Atlantic Ocean moving clockwise. The main elements of this large system are the north-facing warm current Gulf Stream, as well as the North Atlantic, Canary and North Trade Wind (Equatorial) currents. The Gulf Stream follows from the Strait of Florida and the island of Cuba in a northerly direction along the coast of the United States and at about 40 ° N. latitude. deviates to the northeast, changing its name to the North Atlantic Current. This current divides into two branches, one of which follows the northeast along the coast of Norway and further into the Arctic Ocean. The second branch turns south and further southwest along the coast of Africa, forming the cold Canary Current. This current moves to the southwest and joins the North Equatorial Current, which heads west towards the West Indies, where it merges with the Gulf Stream. To the north of the North Equatorial Current is an area of stagnant water, abundant in algae and known as the Sargasso Sea. Along the North Atlantic coast of North America, the cold Labrador Current passes from north to south, following from the Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea and cooling the coast of New England.
ISLANDS of the Atlantic Ocean
The largest islands are concentrated in the northern part of the ocean; these are the British Isles, Iceland, Newfoundland, Cuba, Haiti (Hispaniola) and Puerto Rico. On the eastern outskirts Atlantic Ocean there are several groups of small islands - Azores, Canaries, Cape Verde. There are similar groups in the western part of the ocean. Examples include the Bahamas, Florida Keys and Lesser Antilles. The archipelagos of the Greater and Lesser Antilles form an island arc surrounding the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea. AT pacific ocean similar island arcs are characteristic of deformation regions earth's crust. Deep-water trenches are located along the convex side of the arc.
What continents and countries is washed by Atlantic Ocean, you will learn from this article.
Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean on the planet. It is located in the north between Iceland and Greenland, in the east between Africa and Europe, in the west between South and North America, Antarctica in the south. The area of the Atlantic Ocean is 91.6 million km². About ¼ part falls on the inland seas. The average salinity of the water is 35 ‰. Coastline strongly indented into regional water areas.
Note that the Atlantic Ocean did not appear on the planet immediately. Many million years ago, both Americas, Europe, Africa and Antarctica represented a single landmass. For the last 40 million years, a very important process has been taking place on Earth - the opening of the ocean basin. Then sushi was divided into modern continents. The opening of the ocean basin continues to this day.
What continents are washed by the Atlantic Ocean?
The Atlantic Ocean washes all continents except Australia. Namely:
- eastern coast of North America
- eastern shores South America
- western coast of africa
- western shores of Eurasia
- northwestern shores of Antarctica
Which countries are washed by the Atlantic Ocean?
The waters of the Atlantic Ocean are washed by 49 major countries. Here is a complete list in alphabetical order: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Gabon, Haiti, Guyana, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal , St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, USA, Sierra Leone, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, France, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa.
From the article you will learn which continents are washed by the Atlantic Ocean and how it affects them.
Characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean
The ocean covers an area of 91.66 million square kilometers. km, making it the second largest after the Pacific. More than 16% of its total area falls on the straits, seas and bays. The salinity of the water is approximately 34-37 ppm. The deepest point is the Puerto Rico Trench, 8,742 meters deep. The average depth of the Atlantic Ocean is about 4 kilometers, and this is less than that of the Pacific and Indian.
The Atlantic is located in all 4 hemispheres and washes 5 continents. The Danish Strait and the Davis Strait to the north connect it to the Arctic Ocean. in the south it communicates with the Pacific Ocean, and with the Indian Ocean it is connected by the water space between Antarctica and Africa.
Previously, the Atlantic Ocean was called the Western, Outer, North Sea, now the term "Atlantic" is often used to refer to it. On the European map, the author of which was the Dutchman Varenius, modern name ocean appeared in 1650.
The origin of the name "Atlantic Ocean" is associated with the African Atlas Mountains. Scientists suggest that even among the ancient Greeks, this name literally meant "the sea beyond the Atlas Mountains." There are two more versions of the name - one connects it with the sunken Atlantis, the other - with the name of the titan Atlanta.
Atlantic exploration
People began to explore the described expanses of water earlier than other oceans, through the water area mediterranean sea. Even before our era, ancient peoples founded cities and states on the shores of the Mediterranean. Watching the ebb and flow, animals and flora, they were the first explorers of these waters.
Of course, in ancient times, people did not know exactly which continents were washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Their geographical knowledge differed markedly from modern ones. Nevertheless, Pytheas made voyages across the North Atlantic as early as the 4th century BC. And in the 10th century AD, a native of Normandy undertook the first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving on the shores of the island of Newfoundland.
- Brazilian;
- Guiana;
- Gulf Stream;
- Norwegian.
- Greenlandic;
- Labrador;
- Canarian;
- Benguela.
Conclusion
Now we know which continents the Atlantic Ocean washes and what effect it has on them. Stretching from north to south, this expanse of water has long been of great importance to people. The waters of the Atlantic connect the five continents together and significantly affect their weather conditions.
Located on most of the Irish island, Ireland is washed by the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the two seas associated with it: the Irish and the Celtic.
The state is connected to the bordering Great Britain by the North Channel and the Strait of St. George. In addition, Ireland has access to the open ocean. From the north and west, the island is washed by Atlantic waters.
Seas around Ireland
Due to its island origin, the state has a long coastline. This allows not only to actively develop the fleet, but also to engage in fishing at the state level.
The Irish Sea connects two islands: Ireland and Great Britain. It is considered shallow with the deepest point being 175 meters. The bottom is completely lined with pebbles, sand and shell rock. The coastline is indented by a small number of bays and a strait; the Isle of Man and Anglesey are also located inside.
The sea is essential to Ireland. The water temperature here warms up to a maximum of 16 ° C, so it has no recreational potential. The Irish Sea allows trade with other countries through the port of Dublin. Fishing is developed in Dun Liri and Skerris. Anchovies, flounder, cod, whiting, sprat, herring are considered commercial species here.
Wind farms are being built near the seashore, which saves the resources of local residents and improves the ecological state of the region. In 2001, the Irish Sea was recognized as the most radioactively contaminated due to the impact of the Sellafield nuclear complex.
Just like in the Irish Sea, there is an increased level of pollution. The water contains a large amount of cadmium and radium, which, however, does not prevent the development of fishing and tourism near it. Among the commercial fish species, hake, horse mackerel, squid, etc. are distinguished here. At the industrial level, production is carried out from the main Irish ports: Cork and Waterford
The water in the sea usually does not warm up above + 16 ° C, so it is difficult to meet those wishing to swim. Travelers are attracted here not by the warm sea and sand, but by the beautiful coastal landscapes, which become even more attractive through the efforts of local residents.
The Irish Sea is considered not very deep - a maximum of 150 meters. On average, the depth does not exceed 100 meters, here, at the bottom, banks are formed (ridges up to 55 meters high), on which they most often fish.
Ocean surrounding Ireland
The Atlantic Ocean annually brings Ireland a good income in the form of a successful catch. In addition, wind farms are being installed in coastal areas. Despite this, industrial products continue to come from the side of the island, damaging the ocean ecosystem. It's about about emissions radioactive substances into the water. Especially often there are cases of rapid destruction of containers with goods.
Periodically, the Atlantic Ocean and its currents cause hurricanes to invade the island.
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest and deepest. Its area is 91.7 million km2. The average depth is 3597 m, and the maximum depth is 8742 m. The length from north to south is 16,000 km. Geographical position Atlantic Ocean The ocean stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the coast of Antarctica in the south. To the south, the Drake Passage separates the Atlantic Ocean from […]
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean on Earth. This is the most studied and mastered by people ocean. The Atlantic Ocean washes the shores of all continents except Australia. Its length is 13 thousand km (along the meridian 30 W), and the greatest width is 6700 km. The ocean has many seas and bays. In the structure of the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, there are three main parts: […]
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean after the Pacific. Its area is much smaller and amounts to 91.6 million km2. About a quarter of this area falls on shelf seas. The coastline is very indented, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, in the Southern Hemisphere it is relatively flat. The ocean washes all continents except Australia. Islands located in the ocean are located near the continents. […]
The name Atlantic came to us from ancient times. Scientists believe that it is connected with the name of the Atlas Mountains in northwestern Africa. Hence, the Atlantic Sea in the time of Homer and Hesiod literally meant "the sea beyond the Atlas Mountains". Later, the Greeks began to designate the south of the part of the modern Atlantic Ocean known to them, and the waters adjacent to Europe called it the Outer Sea, […]
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