Seas that enter the Atlantic Ocean. Major seas. The largest seas of Antarctica

The Atlantic Ocean occupies a huge area - 91 million square meters. km, and is the second largest after the Pacific Ocean. It contains 25% of all water on our planet. Let's get acquainted with a short list of the seas of the Atlantic Ocean, each of which has its own character traits and features.

Atlantic Ocean basin

The Atlantic Ocean is the most important component of the World Ocean, the average depth of its waters is about 4 kilometers, and the salinity of the waters varies within 35%.

The Atlantic Ocean is characterized by a strongly indented coastline with a pronounced division into water areas. The seas of the Atlantic are of great scientific interest, since they occupy 16% of the total ocean area, that is, approximately 14.7 million square meters. km.

Rice. 1. Atlantic Ocean.

Many seas of the Atlantic are not directly connected to the ocean, and the connection between the basins occurs through bays and seas located nearby. Peculiarities geographical location and climatic conditions have a great influence on the flora and fauna of the seas of the Atlantic Ocean, which are very diverse.

The Atlantic Ocean was named after a mythical hero Ancient Greece- Atlanta, who held the entire sky on his mighty shoulders.

Seas of the Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic basin includes 28 large and small seas, each of which has its own unique features.

TOP 2 articleswho read along with this

• Sea Labrador - the northernmost sea of ​​the Atlantic, the surface of which in winter is almost completely under ice. Huge icebergs are often found in the water expanses of this sea. Despite the extremely cold climate, the Labrador coast was inhabited by northern tribes as early as the 5th century BC. e.
• - a very unusual sea, which has no analogues anywhere in the world. It is the only sea that has no shores, since its boundaries are sea currents. In addition, 90% of the area of ​​the Sargasso Sea is occupied by Sargasso - long brown algae, the accumulation of which is visible even from space.

Rice. 2. Sargasso Sea.

• caribbean sea - a warm sea separating South and Central America. In ancient times it was called Antilles, but later it was renamed in honor of the Caribs - ancient Indian tribes. In the Middle Ages, the Caribbean was given over to pirates.

The seas of the Atlantic basin, washing Russia, include the Baltic, Black and Azov seas. All of them are deep in the mainland, and their interaction with the ocean is carried out through straits and other seas. Such a distance from ocean waters determines their very peculiar hydrological regime.

• North Sea - is of great transport importance, since its water area is the intersection of almost all the most important sea routes on the planet.
• - an inland sea that divides Turkey into two parts: Asian and European. This is the oldest sea, formed several million years ago.

Rice. 3. Sea of ​​Marmara.

What have we learned?

When studying the topic “The Seas of the Atlantic Ocean”, we learned how many seas are in the Atlantic Ocean, what is their main feature. We also briefly got acquainted with the characteristics of the most interesting seas belonging to the Atlantic, found out which seas of the Atlantic Ocean wash the shores of Russia.

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It is the edge of the world, beyond which there is no land. Therefore, for a long time, the name Western Ocean was also used in relation to it. The modern name arose around the 1st century AD in the writings of the scientist Pliny the Elder. Its origin is connected with the ancient Greek myth about the titan Atlanta, who allegedly holds the entire firmament of the Earth. According to legend, this titan was located in the extreme west, that is, somewhere far away in the Atlantic Ocean.

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In terms of its total area of ​​91.66 million sq. km, the reservoir is second only to the Pacific Ocean. The deepest point of the Atlantic is the Puerto Rico trench, located north of the island of the same name. Its depth reaches 8742 meters. About 16% of the ocean area is occupied by smaller water areas: seas, bays, straits.

Map "Sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean"

The following seas belong to the Atlantic Ocean basin:

Irish sea

It is located between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. The largest ports on its coast are Dublin and Liverpool. The area of ​​the sea is 100 thousand square meters. km, the average depth is 43 m, and the maximum is 175 m. In its water area there are two large islands, Man and Anglesey. In the north, the sea flows into the North Strait, and in the south into the Strait of St. George. The central point of the reservoir has coordinates 53°43′18″ s. sh. and 5°10′38″ W. d.

North Sea

On the map it can be found at the coordinates 55°51′47″ s. sh. and 3°20′23″ E. e. The sea washes Great Britain from the east and the Jutland and Scandinavian peninsulas from the west. The area of ​​the reservoir is 750 thousand square meters. km, the greatest depth reaches 725 m, the average - 95 m. It plays a huge role in maritime trade, its ports, the largest of which are Rotterdam, Amsterdam, London and Hamburg, account for more than 20% of the world's cargo traffic. Also, a large amount of oil and gas is produced here, due to which Norway is almost the most prosperous state in the world.

norwegian sea

Geographers are still arguing about which ocean should include the Norwegian Sea (67°52′32″ N and 1°03′17″ E) - the Atlantic or the Arctic. It washes Norway from the western direction. Its area is 1.4 million square meters. km, and the average depth is 1600-1750 m, reaching a maximum of 3970 m. The conditional southern boundary of the reservoir runs along the Faroe Islands and the island of Iceland.

Baltic Sea

The center of this sea has coordinates 58°37′00″ s. sh. and 20°25′00″ E. e. The reservoir is connected to the North Sea by a system of five Danish straits. Its area is about 419 thousand square meters. km, and the average depth is 51 m. The deepest point of the bottom is at a depth of 470 m. The most important cities located on its coast are St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Stockholm, Copenhagen. The salinity of the sea is very low, and its decrease is observed in the northern direction. As a result, freshwater fish are found near the northern shores of the reservoir.

Mediterranean Sea

A huge reservoir with an area of ​​​​about 2.5 million square meters. km and separating the South from the North. It also washes Western Asia (Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel). The center of the sea can be found at 35° N. sh. 18° in. e. The depth of the reservoir reaches its maximum in the Central Basin (5121 m), and its average value is 1541 m. The coastline of the sea is strongly indented, as a result of which many inland seas are distinguished in its composition:

• Tyrrhenian;
• Balearic;
• Ionic;
• Ligurian;
• Adriatic;
• Aegean;
• Sea of ​​Alboran.

Since ancient times, the Mediterranean Sea has played a painful role in the development of European civilization. It was on its shore that the first Greek policies were located. The Roman Empire became the first and so far the only state that managed to conquer the entire coast of the reservoir, and therefore for centuries it was called the Roman Sea.

In the west, the Mediterranean Sea flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar, and in the east it is connected to the Red Sea by the man-made Suez Canal. Through the Dardanelles, the Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Sea of ​​Marmara and through it indirectly to the Black Sea.

Sea of ​​Marmara

A very small reservoir with an area of ​​​​only 11,472 square meters. km, which is intermediate between the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The Sea of ​​Marmara (40°43′21″ N and 28°13′29″ E) washes the European part of Turkey from the east, and its Asian part from the west. The largest city on the coast is Istanbul, which used to be the capital of the Roman Empire and was called Constantinople. The maximum depth is 1355 m, and the average is 677 m.

Black Sea

It has an area of ​​422 thousand square meters. km and is the most important body of water for Russia, Ukraine and other coastal states. It is through it that most trade operations with the outside world are carried out, and its coast is the most popular holiday destination. Repeatedly Russian empire faced in wars with the Ottomans for the right to pass through the Black Sea straits - the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, which connect the Black Sea (43 ° 17′49 ″ N and 34 ° 01′46 ″ E) with the Sea of ​​​​Marmara and the Mediterranean.

The average depth of the reservoir is 1240 m, and the maximum reaches 2210 m. It is interesting that from about a depth of 150 meters the water is highly saturated with hydrogen sulfide, which is why there is almost no life below this level, with the exception of some types of bacteria.

Sea of ​​Azov

It is the shallowest sea on the planet, whose average depth does not exceed 7.5 m, and the maximum reaches only 13.5 m. Also, this reservoir with an area of ​​​​39 thousand square meters. km is also considered the most continental sea of ​​​​the Earth, since in order to get from it to the ocean, it is necessary to cross 4 more seas: the Black, Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean.

The Sea of ​​Azov (46°05′06″ N and 36°31′44″ E) is an inland sea of ​​two states - Russia and Ukraine. On its coast are big cities, like Mariupol and Taganrog, and the largest river flowing into it is the Don. The reservoir is connected to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait.

Riiser-Larsen Sea

One of the southernmost seas (68 ° S and 22 ° E) of the Atlantic Ocean, washing the coast (Queen Maud Land). Its area is more than 1.1 million square meters. km. From the east it borders on the Cosmonauts Sea, and from the west on the Lazarev Sea. The average depth of the reservoir is 3000 m, and the maximum is 5327 m. The sea is ice-bound for almost the entire year.

Sea of ​​Lazarev

Neighbor of the Riiser-Larsen Sea, also bordering the Antarctic Queen Maud Land. The coordinates of its conditional center are 68 ° S. sh. and 5° in. The area of ​​the reservoir is about 335 thousand square meters. km. The maximum depth reaches 4500 m, and the average is about 3000 m. The boundaries of the sea were determined only in 1962 by Soviet scientists. The sea is named after Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev, who took part in the discovery of the Antarctic continent.

Weddell Sea

Located between Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. The area of ​​the Weddell Sea (75° S, 45° W) is over 2.9 million square kilometers. km. The maximum depth of the reservoir reaches 6820 m, and the average is about 3000 m. Initially, the sea was named after the British monarch George IV, but in 1900 it was renamed in honor of James Weddell, who discovered this sea back in 1823. Interestingly, the reservoir is characterized by the highest transparency. If in distilled water a disk specially used for measuring transparency is visible at a distance of 80 m, then in the Weddell Sea the distance is reduced to only 79 m.

sea ​​scotia

A reservoir with an area of ​​1.3 million square meters. km is located east of the Drake Passage and has coordinates 57 ° 30′ S. sh. and 40°00′ W e. Its boundaries are defined by three archipelagos:

• South Georgia;
• South Sandwich Islands;
• South Orkney Islands.

The average depth of the sea is 3096 m, which is the greatest result among all the seas of the Earth. The maximum depth is 6022 m.

caribbean sea

The reservoir washes the northern coast, Cuba, the Antilles and the east coast of Central America. The Caribbean Sea (14°31′32″ N 75°49′06″ W) covers an area of ​​more than 2.7 million square kilometers. km. Its maximum depth is 7686 m, and the average is 2500 m.

During the years of colonialism, the region became one of the centers of maritime piracy. Today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Sargasso Sea

The Sargasso Sea (28°20′08″ N and 66°10′30″ W) does not wash the coast of any continent, its boundaries are determined by sea currents: the Canary, North Atlantic, North Trade Wind and Gulf Stream. The area bounded by them has a variable area from 6 to 7 million square meters. km. The greatest depth is 6995 m, and the average is 2100 m.

It is in the Sargasso Sea that the infamous Bermuda Triangle is located, in which planes and ships often disappear. Scientists attribute this to poor climatic conditions.

Sea Labrador

It is located between the Canadian peninsula of the same name, Greenland and the island of Newfileland. The coordinates of its center are 59°29′23″ s. sh. and 54°03′10″ W. The area of ​​the reservoir is about 840 thousand square meters. km, and the maximum depth is 4316 m. The average depth is 1950 m. More than 65% of the sea surface is covered with ice in winter.

Irminger Sea

It is located between Iceland and Greenland, washing their southern shores. The area of ​​the reservoir is 780 thousand square meters. km. The Irminger Sea (63°05′41″ N and 31°04′10″ W) has a maximum depth of 3124 m and an average depth of 1800 m.

celtic sea

It is located south of the Irish Sea and has coordinates 50 ° 30′08 ″ s. sh. and 7°54′52″ W. e. It received its modern name only in 1921, before that it was called “southwestern approaches to Great Britain”. Area - 350 thousand square meters. km. The maximum depth of the sea is 366 m, and the average depth is approximately 150 m.

Iroise Sea

A very small reservoir with an area of ​​​​only 3550 square meters. km. Located off the coast of France, between the islands of Ouessant and Seine. Its coordinates are 48°13′00″ s. sh. and 4°48′00″ W. e. The maximum depth reaches 250 m, and the average does not exceed 80 m.

Physical geography of Russia and the USSR
European part: Arctic, Russian Plain, Caucasus, Urals

INTRODUCTION

Introduction chapters:

• Seas washing the territory of Russia
  • Seas of the Atlantic Ocean
• From the history of the geographical study of the territory of Russia
  • The initial period of scientific research on the territory of Russia
  • The period of major expeditionary research, including branch research
  • Soviet period of branch and complex research

Seas of the Atlantic Ocean

The three inland seas of the Atlantic Ocean - the Baltic, Black and Azov - wash small areas of Russian territory. All of them protrude deeply into the mainland, and their connection with the ocean is through other seas and shallow straits. A weak connection with the ocean determines their rather peculiar hydrological regime. The western transfer of air masses has a decisive influence on the climate of the seas.

Table 1. Seas washing the territory of Russia

The ancient Slavs called the Baltic Sea Varangian. This is the westernmost of the seas washing the shores of Russia. It is connected to the ocean through the shallow Danish Straits and the North Sea. The Baltic Sea was formed in the Quaternary in a tectonic trough that arose at the junction of the Baltic Shield with the Russian Plate. During periods of glaciation, its basin was covered by continental ice. In the Holocene, the sea went through several lacustrine and marine stages in its development and, apparently, at a certain period of time connected with the White Sea.

The depths of the Baltic Sea are shallow. The maximum depth is south of Stockholm (470 m). In the Gulf of Finland near the coast of Russia, the depth is less than 50 m, near the Kaliningrad coast - somewhat more.

The main features of the climate of the Baltic Sea are formed under the influence of a steady transfer of temperate air from the Atlantic. Cyclones often pass through the sea, accompanied by western, southwestern and northwestern winds, cloudy weather and heavy rainfall. Their annual number reaches 800 mm and more. In summer, cyclones carry moist cool air, so the average temperature in July is 16-18°C, and the water temperature is 15-17°C. In winter, the Atlantic air causes thaws, since its average temperature in January is about 0°C. The sometimes cold arctic air breaking through here can lower the temperature to -30...-35°C. The Gulf of Finland, located near the borders of Russia, is covered with ice in winter; off the coast of the Kaliningrad region, there are only floating ice. However, in exceptionally severe winters, the entire sea froze (1710, 1809, 1923, 1941, 1955, etc.).

About 250 rivers flow into the Baltic Sea, but about 20% of the annual river runoff is brought into the sea by the river. Neva (79.8 km 2). Its flow exceeds the flow of the three other largest rivers: the Vistula, the Neman and the Daugava, combined. The flow of the Neva is regulated by lakes, so it is characterized by one spring-summer maximum. Strong prolonged westerly winds raise the water level in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, which caused catastrophic floods in St. Petersburg, located at the mouth of the Neva (1824, 1924). Limited water exchange with the ocean and significant river runoff determine the low salinity of sea water (2-14‰, off the coast of Russia - 2-8‰).

The fauna of the Baltic Sea is depleted in species due to high desalinization, low mixing of waters and the poverty of plankton. The following fish are of commercial importance: herring, Baltic sprat, cod, whitefish, chime, lamprey, smelt, salmon. The seal lives in the sea, the number of which is declining due to the pollution of sea waters.

The Black Sea is the warmest among the seas washing the shores of our Motherland. In ancient Greece it was called Pont Euxine which means "hospitable sea". In terms of area, it is almost equal to the Baltic, but differs sharply in volume and depth (see Table 1). The connection of the Black Sea with the ocean is carried out through a system of inland seas (Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean) and straits (Bosphorus, Dardanelles, Gibraltar). The greatest length of the Black Sea water area from west to east reaches 1130 km, the maximum width (from north to south) is 611 km, the minimum is only 263 km.

The Black Sea lies in a deep tectonic basin with oceanic-type crust and Cenozoic sedimentary cover. The maximum depth of the sea reaches 2210 m. The depression is delineated by the continental slope, which in a number of places (especially near the Caucasian coast) is strongly dissected by underwater canyons. The shelf is most developed in the northwestern part of the sea, off the coast of Ukraine. The coastline of the sea is poorly dissected.

The geographical position of the sea and the relatively small area of ​​the water surface determine the same type of climate throughout its water area, close to the Mediterranean, with warm, wet winters and relatively dry summers. However, the orography of the coastal territories causes some differences in the climate of individual sections of the sea, in particular, an increase in precipitation over the eastern part due to the influence of the mountainous barrier of the Caucasus.

In winter, the synoptic situation determines the predominance of northeast winds with an average speed of 7-8 m/s over almost the entire sea area. The development of strong (more than 10 m/s) and especially storm winds is associated with the passage of cyclones over the sea. The average air temperature in winter decreases from the open sea to the coast. In the northeastern part, near the coast of Russia, it approaches 0°С, in the northwest it is -2°С, and in the southeast + 4...+ 5°С.

In summer, northwest winds prevail over the sea. Their average speed is 3-5 m/s, decreasing from west to east. Strong, especially stormy, winds are rare in summer and are also associated with the passage of cyclones. The average air temperature in August varies from + 22°C in the northwest to 24-25°C in the east of the sea.

Numerous rivers flowing into the Black Sea annually bring 346 km 2 of fresh water into it. The Danube gives the largest runoff (201 km 2 / year). All rivers of the northwestern part discharge 270 km 2 /year of fresh water into the sea, i.e. almost 80% of the total runoff, while the rivers of the Caucasian coast bring only 43 km2. The largest runoff occurs in the spring, the smallest is observed in the fall.

On the surface of the sea along the coast there is a cyclonic current. In the central part of the sea, two rings of cyclonic currents are traced: one - in the western part, the other - in the eastern part of the sea. Along the Russian shores, the current carries water from the south. Through the straits there is an exchange of water with neighboring seas. Through the Bosporus, the surface current carries the Black Sea water, and the deep current delivers more salty and heavier water from the Sea of ​​​​Marmara to the Black Sea. The salinity of the Black Sea waters in the central part is 17-18‰, and increases with depth to 22.5‰. Near the mouths of large rivers, it drops to 5-10‰.

The Black Sea is very peculiar in terms of the distribution of dissolved gases in the water column. It is saturated with oxygen and therefore only the upper layer is favorable for life here to depths of 170-180 m. Below, oxygen is quickly replaced by poisonous hydrogen sulfide, which is widespread throughout the entire water column from the lower boundary of the oxygen layer to the bottom, so the deep layers of the Black Sea are devoid of life.

There are 166 species of fish in the sea. Among them there are Pontic relics (beluga, stellate sturgeon, sturgeon, herring), Mediterranean forms (mullet, mackerel, horse mackerel, red mullet, sprat, anchovy, tuna, stingray, etc.) and freshwater forms (ram, pike perch, bream). Of the mammals in the Black Sea, endemic species have survived - the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (dolphin) and the white-bellied seal, or the monk seal, listed in the Red Books.

The Sea of ​​Azov is the smallest and shallowest on the planet. Its area is 39.1 thousand km 2, the volume of water is 290 km 2, the greatest depth is 13 m, the average is about 7.4 m. The narrow and shallow Kerch Strait connects it with the Black Sea. The Sea of ​​Azov is a shelf. The relief of its bottom is quite simple: the shallow coast turns into a flat and flat bottom. Depths slowly and smoothly increase with distance from the coast.

The sea is deeply incised into the land, its water area and volume of water are small and do not have a significant impact on the climate; therefore, its climate is characterized by continental features, more pronounced in the northern part of the sea, which is characterized by cold winters and hot, dry summers. In the southern regions, which are more influenced by the proximity of the Black Sea, the climate is milder and more humid. The average temperature in January is -2...-5°C, but with storm winds from the east and northeast directions, temperatures may drop to -25...-27°C. In summer, the air over the sea warms up to 23-25°C.

Two rivers flow into the Sea of ​​Azov major rivers- Don and Kuban and about 20 small rivers. The Don and Kuban bring over 90% of the annual river water runoff into the sea, so almost all fresh water flows into the eastern part of the sea. The vast majority of runoff falls on the spring-summer period. Water exchange with the Black Sea takes place through the Kerch Strait. About 49 km 2 of water per year flows out of the Sea of ​​Azov, and about 34 km 2 enters the Black Sea water, i.e. outflow to the Black Sea prevails. The salinity of sea waters in the Sea of ​​Azov in the first half of the century was about 11‰. Then, due to a reduction in the inflow of river waters used for irrigation and an increase in the inflow of Black Sea waters, salinity began to increase and reached 13.8‰ by the beginning of the 1980s.

The shallow Sea of ​​Azov warms up well in summer. In July-August, the average sea water temperature is 24-25°C. Maximum warming (up to 32°C) occurs near the shores. In the open sea, the temperature does not exceed 28-28.5°C. The long-term average annual water temperature on the sea surface is 11°C.

Ice forms annually in the Sea of ​​Azov, but due to frequent and rapid changes in weather conditions, ice can repeatedly appear and disappear during the winter, turning from motionless to drifting and back. Ice formation begins at the end of November in the Taganrog Bay. The final cleansing of the sea from ice occurs in March - April.

1. ADRIATIC SEA

This is part of the Mediterranean Sea, between the Apennine and Balkan Peninsulas. Area 144 thousand square meters. km. Depth up to 1230 m.
2. SEA OF AZOV

Area 39.1 thousand square meters. km, volume 290 cubic meters. km, the greatest depth is 13 m, the average depth is about 7.4 m. It is surrounded by land almost on all sides. It is connected to the Black Sea by the shallow Kerch Strait. The Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov belongs to the type of inland seas, but it is connected to the World Ocean. The Sea of ​​Azov is the smallest sea on Earth.
The climate of the Sea of ​​Azov is characterized by continental features. Under the influence of local physical and geographical conditions, they are more pronounced in the northern part of the sea, which is characterized by cold winters, dry and hot summers, while in the southern regions of the sea these seasons are milder and more humid.
Two large rivers - Don and Kuban - and about 20 small rivers flow into the Sea of ​​Azov.
Formation of water due to: continental runoff (43 percent) and water inflow from the Black Sea (40 percent), and consumption - by the runoff of Azov water into the Black Sea (58 percent) and evaporation from the surface (40 percent).
The average annual water temperature on the sea surface is 11 degrees (in summer the average is 23 - 25 degrees), and its interannual fluctuations are about 1 degree.
Currently, fish breeding activities have intensified in the Sea of ​​Azov, which has opened the way for the restoration of its fish resources, mainly sturgeons. Established oil reserves under the seabed.
3. BALTIC SEA

The Baltic Sea lies between the parallels 65 degrees 56 minutes and 54 degrees 46 minutes north latitude and the meridians 9 degrees 57 minutes and 30 degrees 00 minutes east longitude. The area of ​​the Baltic Sea is 419 thousand square meters. km, volume 21.5 cubic meters. km. The average depth of the Baltic Sea is 51 m, and the greatest depth is 470 m. The Baltic Sea is connected to the North Sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean. The Baltic Sea belongs to the type of inland seas.
Many rivers flow into the Baltic Sea (about 250), including the Neva, Vistula, Neman, Daugava.
In the Baltic Sea, many animal species are fished and flora. A special place in it is occupied by Baltic herring, sprat, cod, whitefish, eel, lamprey, smelt, salmon. Seaweed is harvested in the bays. Currently, mariculture has become practiced in the Baltic Sea.
4. IONIAN SEA

The Ionian Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea south of the Adriatic Sea, between the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas and the islands of Crete and Sicily. Area 169 thousand square meters. km, maximum depth 5121 m.
Fishing is developed in the Ionian Sea.
5. IRISH SEA

Located in the Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Area 47 thousand square meters. km, the greatest depth is 197 m. It is connected to the ocean by the North and St. George straits.
Herring, cod, anchovies and other species of fish are fished.
6. CARIBBEAN SEA

Caribbean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, between Central and South America - in the west and south and the Greater and Lesser Antilles - in the north and east. In the northwest it is connected by the Yucatan Strait with the Gulf of Mexico, in the northeast and east by the straits between the Antilles with the Atlantic Ocean, in the southwest by the artificial Panama Canal with the Pacific Ocean. Area 2574 thousand square meters. km. The average depth is 2491 m. The average volume of water is 6860 thousand cubic meters. km.
Average monthly water temperatures on the surface are from 25 to 28 degrees; annual fluctuations are less than 3 degrees. Salinity is about 36 percent. Density 1.0235-1.0240 kg/cu.m.
The Caribbean Sea is home to sharks, flying fish, sea turtles and other tropical fauna. There are sperm whales and humpback whales, seals and manatees off the island of Jamaica.
The Caribbean Sea is of great economic and strategic importance as the shortest sea route connecting the ports of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal.
7. SEA OF MARBLE

This is the Mediterranean Sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and Asia Minor. Area 12 thousand square meters. km, maximum depth 1273 m.
It is connected in the northeast by the Bosporus Strait with the Black Sea, in the southwest by the Dardanelles Strait with the Aegean Sea.
The sea does not freeze; the water temperature on the surface is 9 degrees in winter and 29 degrees in summer. Fishing is developed, mainly mackerel.
8. SARGASSO SEA

Sargasso Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, located in subtropical latitudes between the currents: Canary, North Equatorial, North Atlantic and Gulf Stream. Area 6-7 million sq. km. Depth up to 7110 m.
The Sargasso Sea got its name because of the large number of algae - Sargasso.
Some small animals are associated with them - horsefish, small crabs, shrimps, barnacles, fry and juveniles of fish. Algae are their natural refuge. At a depth of 600-800 m, river eels spawn, coming here from the rivers of Europe and North America. The eggs and then the larvae of the eel drift passively from here to the shores of the continents. There are many luminous anchovies at a depth of hundreds of meters. The species diversity of animals in these warm waters is great: flying fish, tuna, sharks, cephalopods, turtles, etc., but the number is very small due to the poverty of the waters with plankton.
9. NORTH SEA

The area of ​​the North Sea is 565 thousand square meters. km. The greatest depth is 725 m. More than 60 percent of the sea is less than 100 m deep; shallows are frequent in the southern part. Large rivers flow: Elbe, Weser, Rhine, Thames.
The climate of the sea is temperate, westerly winds prevail, in winter there are often stormy forces.
The North Sea is the busiest in terms of cargo operations. The largest ports of the world function here, but the conditions of navigation at sea are difficult and often dangerous.
More than 100 oil fields have been discovered in different parts of the sea. Their total reserve is 3 billion tons. Large gas fields have also been discovered. There is also fishing, mainly for herring. It spawns on banks and feeds on abundant (up to 500 mg/m3) plankton. Anchovies, sardines, mackerel, horse mackerel enter the North Sea from more southern regions. The productivity of the sea is very high, but due to intensive fishing, the stocks of flounder, haddock and herring have decreased.
10. SEA SCOSH (SCOTIA)

The Scotia Sea lies between 53 and 61 degrees north latitude, which corresponds to the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere.
11. MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, connected to it in the west by the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Mediterranean Sea, the seas are distinguished: Alboran, Balearic, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean. The Mediterranean basin includes the Sea of ​​Marmara. Black Sea, Sea of ​​Azov. Area 2500 thousand square meters. km. The volume of water is 3839 thousand square meters. km. The average depth is 1541 m, the maximum depth is 5121 m.
The Mediterranean Sea juts out into the land between Europe, Africa and Asia. The seas of the Mediterranean basin wash the shores of the states: Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. In the northeast, through the Dardanelles, it connects with the Sea of ​​Marmara and further through the Bosphorus - with the Black Sea, in the southeast - with the Suez Canal - with the Red Sea. The most significant bays are: Valencia, Lyon, Genoa, Taranto, Sidra (Great Sirte), Gabes (Small Sirte); largest islands: Balearic, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Cyprus. Large rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea: the Ebro, the Rhone, the Tiber, the Po, the Nile, and others; their total annual flow is about 430 cubic meters. km.
Geomorphologically, the Mediterranean Sea can be divided into three basins: Western - Algiers-Provencal basin with a maximum depth of over 2800 m, uniting the depressions of the Alboran, Balearic and Ligurian seas, as well as the depression of the Tyrrhenian Sea - over 3600 m; Central - with a depth of over 5100 m (Central basin and depressions of the Adriatic and Ionian seas); Eastern - Levantinsky, with a depth of about 4380 m (hollows of the Levant, Aegean and Marmara seas).
In terms of bottom temperatures and salinity, the Mediterranean Sea is one of the warmest and most saline seas of the World Ocean (12.6-13.4 degrees and 38.4-38.7%o, respectively).
Relative humidity varies from 50-65 percent in summer to 65-80 percent in winter. Cloudiness in summer 0-3 points, in winter about 6 points. The average annual precipitation is 400 mm (about 1000 cubic km), it varies from 1100-1300 mm in the northwest to 50-100 mm in the southeast, at least in July-August, maximum - in December. Mirages are characteristic, which are often observed in the Strait of Messina (the so-called Fata Morgana).
Vegetation and animal world The Mediterranean Sea are characterized by a relatively weak quantitative development of phyto- and zooplankton, which entails a relative small number of larger animals that feed on them, including fish. The amount of phytoplankton in the surface horizons is only 8-10 mg / m3, at a depth of 1000-2000 m it is 10-20 times less. Algae are very diverse (peridine and diatoms predominate). The fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by high species diversity, but the number of representatives of individual species is small. There are dolphins, one species of seals (white-bellied seal), sea turtles. 550 species of fish (sharks, mackerels, herrings, anchovies, mullets, dolphins, tunas, bonitos, horse mackerels, etc.). About 70 species of fish, including rays, anchovies, gobies, blennies, wrasse and pipefish. From edible shellfish highest value have oyster, Mediterranean-Black Sea mussel, sea date. Of the invertebrates, octopuses, squids, sepia, crabs, spiny lobsters are common; numerous species of jellyfish, siphonophore; sponges and red coral live in some areas, especially in the Aegean.
12. TYRRHENIAN SEA

Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, between the Apennine Peninsula and the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. Depth up to 3830 m. The Aeolian Islands are located in the southeast.
Industrial fishing of sardines and tuna is developed, and eels are also fished - a rather expensive and valuable fish.
13. SEA WEDDELL

The Weddell Sea, a marginal sea off the coast of Antarctica, between the Antarctic Peninsula to the west and Knox Land to the east. The southern shores represent the edges of the Ronne and Filchner ice shelves. The area is 2796.4 thousand square meters. km. The depth of 3000 m prevails, the maximum is 4500 m (in the northern part); the southern and southwestern parts are shallow (up to 500 m). The waters of the Weddell Sea flow into the Scotia Sea, increasing the fertility of the latter's waters.
14. BLACK SEA

The Black Sea lies between the parallels of 46 degrees 38 minutes and 40 degrees 54 minutes north latitude and the meridians 27 degrees 21 minutes and 41 degrees 47 minutes east longitude and is almost completely surrounded by land, but not isolated from the oceans. In the southwest, it has access to the Sea of ​​Marmara through the Bosporus and Dardanelles and further to the Mediterranean Sea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean. The Kerch Strait connects the Black and Azov Seas. The Black Sea belongs to the inland seas, its area is 422 thousand square meters. km, volume 555 thousand cubic km, average depth 1315 m, maximum depth - 2210 m (43 degrees 17 minutes north latitude, 33 degrees 28 minutes east longitude).
The average monthly air temperature in summer is 22-25 degrees.
Numerous rivers flowing into the Black Sea pour into it about 346 cubic meters per year. km of fresh water. The Danube, Dnieper, Dniester, Southern Bug, Inglu give the greatest flow.
The Black Sea serves as an important transport route through which large volumes of freight and passenger traffic are carried out.
Fishing and the extraction of non-fish objects - mollusks and algae are developed.
15. THE AEGEAN SEA

The Aegean Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, between the Balkan and Asia Minor peninsulas and the island of Crete. It connects with the Sea of ​​Marmara through the Dardanelles. Area 191 thousand square meters. km. Depth up to 2561 m. There are many islands (Northern and Southern Sporades, Cyclades, Crete, etc.).
The fishery of sardines and mackerel is developed.

is the smallest sea in the world. The average depth is only 7.4 m, the greatest is 13.5 m. The sea was formed around 5600 BC. after the spill of the neighboring Black Sea, which flooded the mouth of the Don, forming a new water area.

The Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov is probably the only one in the world that has had more than 100 names in its entire history! Here are just a few of them: Meotian, Karguluk, Balysyr, Samakush, Saks, Frankish, Kaffa, Akdeniz. The modern name of the sea was given by the city of the same name, conquered for Russia by Peter I. And only from the middle of the 18th century on the maps it began to be designated as Azov.

Despite its shallow depth, the Sea of ​​Azov is considered one of the richest in terms of the number of individuals per 1 sq. km. According to this indicator, it is 40 times richer than the Mediterranean and 160 times richer than the Black.

- marginal sea in the north-west of Europe. The area is 415 thousand sq. km, the average depth is 51 m. Some scientists distinguish the part of the sea between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland as a separate water area - the Archipelago Sea.

In the "Tale of Bygone Years" this sea is called the Varangian, the Swedes, Germans and Danes called it the East, and in ancient Rome the sea was described as the Sarmatian Ocean. For a long time, the Baltic Sea has been considered one of the main transport routes linking Russia and Europe.
The Hebrides Sea is located between Scotland and the Hebrides. The area is 47 thousand sq. km, the average depth is 64 m.

The sea is cold, winds and hurricanes often rage over its surface, which are alternately replaced by showers and fogs. The weather here is unpredictable, which makes navigation very difficult.

- a small sea (area 100 thousand square kilometers) between Great Britain and Ireland. The ancient Greeks called it the Ibernian Ocean. In winter, storms rage here, in summer the water warms up to 13-16 °C. And the height of the tidal waves reaches 6 meters.

In the last 100 years, the issue of building a bridge across the seas or an underwater tunnel has been widely discussed. And according to Greenpeace, the Irish Sea is considered the most radioactively polluted in the world.

It separates Central and South America, and is connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal. Its area is 2.7 million sq. km, the average depth is 2500 m.

The sea got its name in honor of the Caribs - a group of Indian tribes who settled in the Antilles in the 15th century, that is, at the time when the Spanish conquerors appeared in these waters. However, very often this sea was also called the Antilles.

In the XVII-XVIII centuries, piracy flourished in the Caribbean, which had a significant impact on the development of the region's economy. Most famous pirates Caribbean Sea: Henry Morgan, Edward Teach (nicknamed "Blackbeard") and Bartholomew Roberts ("Black Brother").

By the way, Tortuga is a real island in the Caribbean, which was once a stronghold of piracy.

It washes the southern parts of Ireland and Great Britain and the northwestern coast of France.

The name for the sea in 1921 was proposed by the English scientist E. Holt, who decided to perpetuate the memory ancient people who lived in this region - the Celts. Until that time, the northern part of the sea was considered part of the Strait of St. George, and the southern was designated as the "south-western approaches" to Great Britain. After a series of studies at the beginning of the 20th century, it was decided to single out this area as a separate sea and assign an official name to it.

Washes the southeast coast of Greenland. This small area is famous for its harsh climate and cold waters, which are brought here by the Arctic currents. The sea is named after the greatest Danish hydrographer of the 19th century, K.L. Irminger.

- the northernmost sea of ​​the Atlantic with an area of ​​​​840 thousand square kilometers, the average depth is 1898 m. The proximity of the Arctic is clearly felt here. During the winter months, the Labrador Sea is covered by 2/3 floating ice. And because of the melting of glaciers, icebergs are often found. One of the largest turbidite channels in the world lies in this water area.

Despite the harsh climate, the coasts of Labrador were inhabited as early as the 5th century BC. The coast of this sea has become home to many ancient cultures of the Indians and Eskimos.

The sea is named after the island of the same name, which was discovered by the Portuguese G. Kortirial in 1500. Translated from port. "Terro do Lavrador" means "land of the plowman".

- an inland sea separating the Asian and European parts of Turkey. The area is 11.4 thousand sq. km, the average depth is 259 m.

The Sea of ​​Marmara was formed several million years ago, its description is found in the historical writings of the ancient Greeks and Arabs. But the first Scientific research Russians spent here: in 1845 - the expedition of M. P. Manganari, in 1890 - a special scientific expedition of S. O. Makarov and I. B. Spindler.

- a unique sea, which in many ways differs from all the seas on earth.

Firstly, this is the only sea on the planet without coasts. Its boundaries are currents. That is why the area of ​​the Sargasso Sea is determined approximately - 6-7 million square kilometers.

Secondly, the sea is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest stretch of calm water. Indeed, almost 90% of the sea is covered with Sargasso - brown algae. Such a vast spot is visible even from space.

Thirdly, this is one of the safest seas in the world, as predatory marine animals do not look here for fear of getting entangled in algae. Other fish (especially eels) use this with might and main, choosing this sea for laying eggs.

Until recently, the waters of the Sargasso Sea were considered the most transparent - there is little plankton, so it was possible to look almost 60 meters deep. Unfortunately, the currents bring a lot of garbage here, including plastic waste, which seriously threaten the ecology of the water area.

Washes the northern coast of Europe, located between the British Isles, Scandinavia and the mainland. The area is 755 thousand sq. km, the average depth is 95 m.

The North Sea is of great transport importance. Almost all the main sea routes of our planet intersect here, and the cargo turnover in this sea is 20% of the world's.