The longest transoceanic routes lie in the Pacific Ocean: the central route Singapore-Panama has a length of 10.8 thousand miles, and crossings of 6-7 thousand miles without calling at intermediate ports are considered common in the Pacific Ocean. In the vast areas of the Pacific Ocean, hydrometeorological conditions are more complex than in other oceans.

From the point of view of the intensity of world shipping, three main directions can be distinguished: American-Asian, American-Australian and Asian-Australian.

The US-Asian direction is the main one and, in turn, includes the three most used routes. The path of the first, busiest shipping route runs from the ports of North America (Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles) to western part Pacific Ocean and back from the ports of Japan, China, Philippines (Yokohama, Shanghai, Manila) to the USA and Canada. It takes place in severe hydrometeorological conditions of a stormy seasonal region. Without calling at intermediate ports, its length is more than 4.5 thousand miles. This is the main route for deliveries to Japan and other countries of various ores, coal, grain cargoes from the USA, and from Canada coal, grain, timber and lumber, other cargoes and various semi-finished products.

The second route runs from the Panama Canal and the ports of the western coast of South America (through the Hawaiian Islands) to the ports of the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Taiwan and Japan. The central route runs from the Panama Canal to Singapore. This path passes through an area of ​​rare storms in the equatorial region.

The third, rather rarely used, route is laid from Cape Horn to the ports of Asian countries. In the southern part, its path lies in a stormy area (seasonal) with difficult hydrometeorological conditions.

The American-Australian direction connects the main ports of Australia (Sydney, Melbourne) and New Zealand (Wellington, Auckland) with various ports of the American continent along three main shipping routes: Sydney - Hawaiian Islands - ports of North America; Sydney - Panama Canal and Sydney - ports of South America (Valparaiso, Callao). Ships going to South America during a dangerous period plot a course for ports of destination within the boundaries of a seasonal region of rare storms; in the period of favorable weather conditions - bypassing the New Zealand Islands from the south and using the fair current of the westerly winds. On ships of regular lines in American ports wool, lead, zinc and other raw materials are delivered, and in the opposite direction, to Australia - machinery and equipment, machine tools, devices, various equipment.

The Asian-Australian, unlike the previous ones, has a general North-South direction and connects Australian and New Zealand ports with Japanese ones. Intensive shipping along this ocean route in the second half of the 20th century is associated with the growth of the economic and technical potential of Japan and a number of countries. South-East Asia, developed shipbuilding and the growth of world trade. Shipping companies in Japan and other Southeast Asian countries have organized regular cargo lines on this route for the transportation of iron ore, coal, wool and other raw materials, grain and food products from Australia to the ports of Southeast Asia and Japan.

Ocean paths run along the coast of South America, | | binding ports South American countries with Pacific and Atlantic (through the Panama Canal) US ports. The main raw material flows (iron ore and non-ferrous metal ores, saltpeter, sulfur and other minerals) are directed from the ports of the western coast of South America to the ports of the east coast of the United States, where the main industrial base of the United States is located, through the Panama Canal.

On the coast, gravitating towards the Atlantic Ocean, are located the countries of Europe and developing countries Africa on one side, North and South America on the other.

There is an intensive foreign trade exchange between the countries of these continents. Transportation of foreign trade cargo between all countries is carried out mainly by maritime regional and ocean routes.

Oceanic sea routes that run between the ports of the continents go to open waters at Cape Rat and Bishop Rock, at the Straits of Gibraltar, Providence, Windward, Mona, at the islands of Madeira, Cape Verde and Barbados, as well as at major ocean ports: New York, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, etc. Between these nodes are the routes of the transoceanic routes of the Atlantic.

In terms of the importance and intensity of navigation, the North Atlantic direction stands out - transoceanic routes between Europe and North and Central America. They have a general direction "east - west" from Cape Rath, Bishop Rock and the Strait of Gibraltar to New York, to the ports of the river. St. Lawrence and other ports of North America, as well as to the straits of Providence, Windward, Mona and further to ports caribbean and to the Panama Canal. Their length is from 2.5 to 4.0 thousand miles.

This is an area with difficult navigation conditions. Floating ice and icebergs in the northern part of the Atlantic, frequent and dense fogs in the area of ​​\u200b\u200babout. Newfoundland (especially in June and July), severe storm conditions in winter period significantly hinder navigation.

complex natural and weather, intensive big move vessels in the North Atlantic Ocean in the western and eastern directions necessitated the establishment of recommended traffic routes sea ​​vessels, known as the main transoceanic routes of the North Atlantic Ocean.

In the English Channel, ships sailing from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea are advised to follow the passage between the banks of Le Vergoye and Bassurel and further, adhering to the French coast, between the banks of Sandetti and Out-Reitinger, go to the North Sea.

Ships coming from North Sea into the Atlantic Ocean, it is recommended to follow the passage between the banks of South Falls and Sandetti and further, adhering to the English coast, west of the banks of Varne and Bullock.

For coastal navigation vessels (of the "river-sea" type, vessels with a deadweight of up to 4 - 5 thousand tons), a coastal area has been allocated, where navigators are not limited in their choice of routes.

There are three traffic separation areas on the approaches to New York. The first of them is intended for ships heading to the port from the east, from the North Atlantic or heading to North Atlantic. He has eastbound from lighthouse Ambrose. The second traffic separation area has southeast direction and is intended for ships arriving from South America, Africa and the Antilles. The third area has a southerly direction and is intended for coastal navigation vessels. In a similar way, areas for separating the movement of ships were also established on the approaches to other American ports.

One-way vessel traffic at turning points is based on the following principle. Depending on the angle of rotation when bypassing the cape, island, lighthouse, two, three or four knees of the traffic separation area are installed. On both sides of the separation zone, a path is established for one-way traffic of ships. At Cape Sai Vicente it is 3 miles wide. Vessels rounding the cape are advised to locate their courses within this body of water.

In the North Atlantic direction, hundreds of regular lines are organized by shipping companies from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the USA, France, and other countries. Modern multi-purpose ships and container ships sail on these lines.

Various machines and equipment, American coal, Canadian ore, cotton, grain, forest products, chemical and other cargoes are transported to the ports of European countries. In the opposite direction from Europe, ships are carrying English coal, various machines and machine tools to Canada, high-quality Norwegian and Swedish iron ore in the USA. Various industrial products, chemical, industrial and food products are also transported. The predominance of general cargo in this direction contributes to the expansion of container traffic between the ports of North America and Europe.

The Latin American direction originates in the ports of South America and runs along the east coast of South America to Recife. The coastal route then bifurcates. One branch of it crosses the ocean and passes by the islands of Cape Verde and Madeira, through the Strait of Gibraltar to the ports of the South, and through the English Channel to the ports of the West and Northern Europe; the other, the North American branch, crosses the ocean in the general direction of New York.

Ocean navigation from the eastern ports of South America to Europe is carried out over a distance of 5-6 thousand miles, and from the northern 3.5 thousand miles (Bishop Rock - Barbados Island).

Venezuelan oil is transported to Europe from the countries of Latin America, which have a variety of natural resources, iron ore, non-ferrous ores and rare metals, various cereals, cotton, coffee and other goods. In the opposite direction - from European countries to latin america industrial products, machinery and equipment, chemical, timber and other goods are delivered.

The North American branch has a general North-South direction. The greatest length of the route is more than 6 gys. miles (New York - Bahia Blanca) and the smallest - 2 thousand miles (New York - the northern ports of South America). Sea transportation in this direction is carried out mainly on American ships.

A variety of raw materials (ore, cotton, coffee, oil, non-ferrous metal ores, etc.) come to the USA from the countries of South America; in the opposite direction are various machines and equipment, manufactured goods, grain, chemical and other goods.

The European-West African direction runs from the English Channel (Bishop Rock) and Gibraltar past canary islands, along the west coast of Africa to Cape Town. Its length from the English Channel is 5785 miles, and from Gibraltar 5120 miles in the general direction "North-South".

The American-West African direction has two routes - from the ports of North America to the ports of Africa and from the ports of South America to the ports of Africa. From North America, the route runs from New York, past the Ascension Islands and St. Helena to Cape Good Hope(6785 miles), and from South America from Recife, Rio de Janeiro and the bay of Rio de la Plata to Cape Town (about 3500 miles).

Significant volumes of oil and oil products, high-quality iron, manganese and other ores are transported to Europe in these directions; and machines and equipment, grain, chemical and other cargoes are transported to the countries of Africa and South America.

Of particular note is the regional sea route between the ports Baltic Sea and Northern basins of Russia around the Scandinavian Peninsula. Its length is 4 thousand miles. Moreover, half of the way passes in the waters of the Arctic Ocean with difficult hydrometeorological conditions, often repeated storms and bad weather.

From the ports of the Baltic basin to Scandinavian countries and ports of the Northern Basin of Russia transport oil and oil products, coal, salt, machinery and equipment, including equipment for oil and gas production, as well as pipes large diameter for the construction of oil and gas pipelines. In the opposite direction are the products of the north - timber and timber products, apatites, high-quality iron and ores of rare and non-ferrous metals, fish and products of the fur trade. AT last years of the last century, in connection with the development of the northern gas and oil fields of Russia, a significant flow of oil and gas was formed in European countries- to the ports of the North and Baltic seas.

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What is the Pacific Ocean? General characteristics and description of the Pacific Ocean.

What is the Pacific Ocean? General characteristics of the Pacific Ocean. Table.

ocean name	Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean area:
With the seas	178.684 million km²
Without seas	165.2 million km²
Average depth of the Pacific Ocean:
With the seas
Without seas
Greatest depth	10,994 m (Marian Trench)
The volume of water in the Pacific Ocean:
With the seas	710.36 million km3
Without seas	707.6 million km3
average temperature
Salinity
Width from west to east - from Panama to the east coast of Mindanao
Length from north to south, from the Bering Strait to Antarctica
Number of islands
Animals (number of species)	over 100,000
Incl. fish species
Incl. shellfish species
seaweed species

What is the Pacific Ocean? Description of the Pacific.

The Pacific Ocean is the most big ocean our planet occupying almost a third of it. It accounts for 49.5% of the surface area of ​​the World Ocean and 53% of its water volume. The width of the ocean from west to east is 17,200 km, and the length from north to south is 15,450 km. The area of ​​the Pacific Ocean is 30 million square kilometers larger than the entire land area of ​​the Earth.

The Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean on our planet.. Its average depth is 3984 meters, and the greatest is 10,994 km (the Mariana Trench or the "Challenger Abyss").

The Pacific Ocean is the most warm ocean our planet. Most of The ocean lies in warm latitudes, so the average temperature of its waters (19.37 ° C) is two degrees higher than the temperature of other oceans (with the exception of the Arctic Ocean).

Pacific Coast- the most densely populated territory of the Earth, here in 50 states lives about half of the population of our planet.

The Pacific Ocean has the greatest commercial value of all the water bodies of the planet - about 60% of the world's fish catch is produced here.

The Pacific Ocean has the most large stocks hydrocarbons in the entire World Ocean - about 40% of all potential oil and gas reserves are located here.

The Pacific Ocean has the richest flora and fauna- almost 50% of all living organisms of the World Ocean live here.

The Pacific Ocean is the most "violent" ocean on the planet- more than 80% of the tsunami is "born" here. The reason for this is the large number of underwater volcanoes.

The Pacific Ocean is of great transport importance- here are the most important transport routes.

The opening of the Pacific. Why is the ocean "Pacific"?

Why is the Pacific Ocean called "Pacific"? After all, this is the most formidable of all the oceans of the Earth: 80% of the tsunami originates here, the ocean is replete with underwater volcanoes, and is famous for catastrophic hurricanes and storms. Just ironically, the first European explorer and discoverer of the Pacific Ocean, Ferdinand Magellan, during his three-month voyage, never got into a storm. The ocean was quiet and gentle, for which he received his current name- "Quiet".

By the way, Magellan was not the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. The first was the Spaniard Vasco Nunez de Balboa, who explored New World. He crossed the American continent and came out on the coast as he thought of the sea. He didn't know what was in front of him. greatest ocean Land and gave it the name South Sea.

Borders and climate of the Pacific Ocean. What is the Pacific Ocean?

With land:

Western border of the Pacific Ocean: at east coasts Australia and Eurasia.

Eastern border of the Pacific Ocean: at western coasts South and North America.

Northern border of the Pacific Ocean: almost completely enclosed by land - Russian Chukotka and American Alaska.

South Pacific Ocean: off the northern coast of Antarctica.

Pacific borders. Map.

With other oceans:

Border of the Pacific Ocean with the Arctic Ocean: the border is drawn in the Bering Strait from Cape Dezhnev to Cape Prince of Wales.

The border of the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean: the boundary is drawn from Cape Horn along the meridian 68°04’ (67?) W. or the shortest distance from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula through the Drake Passage, from Ost Island to Cape Sternek.

The border of the Pacific Ocean with the Indian Ocean:

- south of Australia- on eastern border Bass Strait to the island of Tasmania, further along the meridian 146 ° 55 'E. to Antarctica;

- north of australia - between the Andaman Sea and the Strait of Malacca, further along the southwestern coast of the island of Sumatra, the Sunda Strait, the southern coast of the island of Java, southern borders the seas of Bali and Sava, northern border Arafura Sea, the southwestern coast of New Guinea and western border Torres Strait.

Climate of the Pacific. General characteristics and description of the Pacific Ocean.

The climate of the Pacific Ocean in parts.

The South Pacific Ocean is the coldest, as the water comes close to the shores of Antarctica. Here, in winter, the water is covered with ice.

The climate of the North Pacific Ocean is much milder. This is influenced by the fact that the Pacific Ocean from the north has practically no contact with the cold Arctic Ocean, but is limited by land.

The western part of the Pacific Ocean is warmer than the eastern part.

In the tropical latitudes of the ocean, powerful hurricanes - typhoons - are born.

There are two zones of typhoon origin:

• east of the Philippines - the typhoon is moving northwest and north through Taiwan, Japan and almost reaches the Bering Strait.
• off the coast of Central America.

The amount of precipitation is uneven over the surface of the planet's largest ocean.

• The greatest amount of precipitation (more than 2000 mm per year) is characteristic of the equatorial belt,
• The least amount of precipitation (less than 50 mm per year) is in the northern hemisphere off the coast of California, in the southern hemisphere off the coast of Chile and Peru.

Precipitation in the ocean, in general, prevails over evaporation, so the salinity of the water is somewhat lower than in other oceans.

Read more about the climate of the Pacific Ocean in the articles:

• Climate of the Pacific. Cyclones and anticyclones. baric centers.

Flora, fauna and economic importance of the Pacific Ocean. What is the Pacific Ocean?

The flora and fauna of the Pacific Ocean is extremely diverse. About half of the living organisms of the entire oceans live here. This is explained huge size the largest ocean on the planet and a variety of natural conditions.

The greatest number of species lives in tropical and equatorial latitudes, in the northern and temperate latitudes the species diversity is poorer, but here more strength individuals of each species. For example, about 50 species of algae are found in the cold waters of the Bering Sea, and in warm waters Malay Archipelago - about 800 species. But the mass of algae in the Bering Sea is much larger total weight aquatic plants of the Malay Archipelago.

The depths of the Pacific Ocean are also not lifeless. The animals that live here have an unusual body structure, many of them fluoresce, emitting light as a result chemical reactions. This device is used to scare off predators and attract prey.

In the Pacific Ocean lives:

• more than 850 types of algae;
• more than 100 thousand species of animals (of which over 3800 species of fish);
• more than 6 thousand species of mollusks;
• about 200 species of animals living at a depth of more than 7 thousand km;
• 20 species of animals living at a depth of more than 10 thousand km.

The economic importance of the Pacific Ocean - a general characteristic and description of the Pacific Ocean.

The coast of the Pacific Ocean, its islands and seas are developed extremely unevenly. The most developed industrial centers are coast of the USA, Japan and South Korea. The economy of Australia and New Zealand is also largely associated with the development of the largest ocean on the planet.

The Pacific Ocean plays an important role in human life. as food. It accounts for up to 60% of the world's fish catch. Commercial fishing is especially developed in tropical and temperate latitudes.

Across the Pacific important sea and air communications run between the countries of the Pacific basin and transit routes between the countries of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Veliko economic importance Pacific Ocean and in terms of mining. Up to 40% of the potential oil and gas reserves of the World Ocean are located here. Hydrocarbons are currently being produced offshore in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the United States of America (Alaska), Ecuador (Guayaquil Bay), Australia (Bass Strait) and New Zealand.

The Pacific performs and is highly specific role in modern world: here in the southern part of the ocean there is a "cemetery" of failed spaceships.

The relief of the bottom, the sea and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. What is the Pacific Ocean?

The relief of the bottom of the Pacific Ocean - a description and general characteristics of the Pacific Ocean.

The bottom of the planet's largest ocean also has the most difficult terrain.. At the base of the ocean is the Pacific Plate. The plates adjoin it: Nazca, Cocos, Juan de Fuca, Philippine, in the south - the Antarctic plate, and in the north - the North American. Such a large number lithospheric plates leads to strong tectonic activity in the region.

At the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, along the edges of the Pacific Plate, is the so-called "ring of fire" of the planet. Earthquakes constantly occur here, volcanoes erupt, tsunamis are born.

"Ring of Fire" of the planet.

The bottom of the Pacific Ocean is literally strewn single mountains volcanic origin. On the this moment there are about 10,000 of them.

In addition, there is a complex submarine mountain range system, the longest of which is located in the south and east of the ocean - this is the East Pacific Rise, which passes in the south into the South Pacific Ridge. This underwater ridge divides the Pacific Ocean into two asymmetrical parts - a vast western one, where warm currents predominate, and a small eastern one, where the cold Peruvian current dominates.

Countless islands and archipelagos, formed as a result of volcanic activity, are combined into separate part world - Oceania.

The largest basins of the Pacific Ocean are: Chilean, Peruvian, Northwestern, Southern, Eastern, Central.

Pacific Ocean seas and coastline. What is the Pacific Ocean?

Almost all the seas of the Pacific Ocean are located on its northern and western outskirts - off the coast of Asia, Australia, the Malay Archipelago. In the east of the ocean there are neither large islands, nor gulfs protruding deep into the land - coastline smooth. The exception is the Gulf of California - a semi-enclosed sea of ​​the Pacific Ocean. Off the coast of Antarctica is the only southern marginal sea of ​​this ocean - the Ross Sea.

Islands of the Pacific.

In this article, we reviewed the description and general characteristics Pacific Ocean, gave an answer to the question: What is the Pacific Ocean? Read further: Pacific Ocean waters: ocean water masses, ocean temperature, ocean salinity, ice formation and Pacific water color.

According to the accepted criteria, taking into account general and specific area-forming factors, S. V. Mikhailov identified four transport regions in the World Ocean.

1. The Atlantic transport region occupies the space between 60°N. and 30° S It is characterized by favorable navigational conditions (non-freezing, relatively small length sea ​​routes etc.), gravitation towards it by predominantly developed countries. Within the region there are transatlantic routes connecting the coasts of Western Europe and America, and meridional routes pass along the American, European and African coasts. The largest shipments in terms of volume are made between the ports of Europe and North America. The structure of cargo flows is dominated by oil, ore, coal, general cargo. Passenger transportation is carried out mainly by air lines that coincide geographically with ocean routes.

2. The Pacific transport region is limited by parallels of 40 ° N. and 50° S It lies in a non-freezing area of ​​the ocean, but typhoons pass in the southwest of its central part, which complicate navigation. This area is characterized by sea routes. long distance. They connect mainly Japan and the coasts of Asia with the American and Australian coasts, in lesser degree communications between the ports of Asia and Australia are developed. Freight traffic is dominated by oil from indian ocean to Japan, metal and industrial products from the USA to China and the countries of Southeast Asia. Equipment and instruments are sent from Japan, and raw materials are shipped from the countries of Southeast Asia: ore, jute, rubber, etc. the developed countries - dependent countries". This is explained by the fact that developing countries, on the one hand, and such developed countries as the USA and Australia, on the other hand, are entering it. Passenger transportation is carried out mainly by Aeroflot on transoceanic and intercontinental air lines.

3. The Indian transport region is located approximately between the parallels of 15°N. and 45° S and is characterized by favorable navigational conditions. In this area, a very significant proportion of transit routes linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Partly they pass through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, partly around Africa. In addition, there are also transoceanic routes from African countries to India, Indonesia, Australia, from India to the ports of the Australo-Asian seas and to the coast of Australia. The most intensive shipping is observed in the northern part of the Indian transport region, mainly along transit sea routes. The structure of cargo flows is determined by oil, non-ferrous metal ores, rubber, jute, rice, tea, exported from the Indian Ocean countries, and manufactured goods imported into them. Transit traffic includes raw materials and general cargo. In this transport region, a relatively large place is occupied by passenger traffic, mainly on local lines of South Asian countries.

4. Gulf region and mediterranean sea occupies an intermediate position between the Atlantic and Indian transport regions. It is distinguished by a highly specialized oil transportation profile. At the same time, they have a one-way direction: the ports of the Persian Gulf are the senders, the ports of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic are the recipients of cargo. In addition to sea transportation of oil, its transmission through oil pipelines laid along the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea is developed here. Due to the closed nature of the basin and its relatively small water area, the volume of traffic largely depends on the international situation in the region.

Pacific Ocean- the largest ocean on Earth.

The area with the seas is 178.7 million km².

The volume is 710 million km³.

Average depth 3980 m.

Maximum depth 11022 m

(Mariana Trench).

The Pacific Ocean occupies half of the water surface Earth, and more than thirty percent of the planet's surface area.

The International Date Line runs along the 180th meridian across the Pacific Ocean.

Relief

The bottom relief is varied. In the east - the East Pacific Rise, in the central part there are many basins (North-Eastern, North-Western, Central, Eastern, Southern, etc.), deep-water trenches: in the north - Aleutian, Kuril-Kamchatsky, Izu-Boninsky; in the west - Mariana (with maximum depth the World Ocean - 11,022 m), Philippine and others; in the east - Central American, Peruvian and others

In the Pacific Ocean, one can distinguish between the littoral and sublittoral zones, the transition zone (up to 500-1000 m), the bathyal, abyssal and ultraabyssal, or zone deep sea trenches(from 6-7 to 11 thousand m).

currents

The main surface currents: in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean - warm Kuroshio, North Pacific and Alaska and cold California and Kuril; in the southern part - warm South Trade Winds, Japanese and East Australian and cold West Winds and Peruvian. The water temperature on the surface near the equator is from 26 to 29 ° C, in the subpolar regions up to -0.5 ° C. Salinity 30-36.5 ‰.

Climate

In the Pacific Ocean, all climatic zones characteristic of the globe. Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is the widest climate zone- equatorial belt. During the whole year the temperature here does not fall below 20 °C. Annual fluctuations in air temperature are small, and the annual amount of precipitation exceeds 2000 mm. This region is characterized by frequent tropical cyclones. To the north and south of this zone are tropical climatic zones, then - subtropical and temperate, adjacent to the subpolar zones. On the temperature characteristics Ocean waters are significantly influenced by Antarctica.

Flora and fauna

The Pacific Ocean is distinguished by the richest fauna, in tropical and subtropical zones between the coasts of Asia and Australia (here huge territories occupied by coral reefs and mangroves) common with the Indian Ocean. Of the endemics, nautilus mollusks, poisonous sea snakes, and the only species of marine insects, the water strider of the genus Halobates. Of the 100 thousand species of animals, 3 thousand are represented by fish, of which about 75% are endemic. The waters off the Fiji Islands are inhabited by numerous populations of sea anemones. Fish of the pomacentric family feel great among the burning tentacles of these animals. Of the mammals, among others, walruses, seals and sea otters live here. The sea lion inhabits the coasts of the California Peninsula, Galapagos Islands and Japan. Its body length reaches 2.5 m. These animals are easy to train, so they can often be seen in circuses and aquariums.

Economic importance
Pacific Ocean

fishing

The North Pacific is rich in game fish (salmon, sardine, pollock, sea bass, herring, tuna and cod). The Pacific Ocean accounts for about 60% of the world's fish catch (mainly Japan, China, Russia, Peru, the USA and Thailand). Crabs, shrimps, oysters are harvested.

Transport routes

Important sea and air communications between the countries of the Pacific basin and transit routes between the countries of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans run through the Pacific Ocean. The most important ocean routes lead from Canada and the USA to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and the Philippines. Major ports: Vladivostok, Nakhodka (Russia), Shanghai (China), Singapore (Singapore), Sydney (Australia), Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, Long Beach (USA), Huasco (Chile).

Pacific coast states

Minerals

The bottom of the Pacific Ocean hides rich deposits of various minerals. Titanium, zirconium, rare earth elements (scandium and lanthanides) are mined here, and the sands of the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Russia are rich in precious stones. Oil and gas are produced on the shelves of China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. In the bottom sediments of the shelves of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand there are tin ores; in addition, the bottom of the Pacific Ocean is rich in polymetallic nodules. Experimental exploitation of polymetallic nodules is carried out by the UN International Maritime Organization. In the Southeast Pacific Ocean, a site for future production of polymetallic ores has been identified (the Clarion-Clipperton zone between Hawaiian Islands and North America with an area of ​​2 million km²). About 2 tons of nodules have already been mined for experimental purposes.

Atlantic Ocean- the second largest ocean after the Pacific Ocean.

Area 91.4 million km²

The volume of water is 329.7 million km³

(25% of the volume of the World Ocean)

Average depth 3600 m

Maximum depth 8742 m

(Puerto Rico Trench)

The average annual salinity is ≈35 ‰.

The name comes from the name of the titan Atlas (Atlanta) in Greek mythology or from the legendary island of Atlantis.

Seas and Gulfs

Seas -

Baltic, Northern, Mediterranean, Black, Sargasso, Caribbean, Adriatic, Azov, Balearic, Ionian, Irish, Marble, Tyrrhenian, Aegean.

Large bays -

Biscay, Guinean, Mexican, Hudson

Islands

Main islands: British, Iceland, Newfoundland, Greater and Lesser Antilles, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Falkland (Malvinas).

currents

The main surface currents: warm North Trade Wind, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic, cold Labrador and Canary in the North Atlantic Ocean; warm South Trade Winds and Brazil, cold West Winds and Benguela in the South Atlantic Ocean.

States of the Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean and its constituent seas wash the shores of 96 countries:

Abkhazia, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Great Britain, Venezuela, Gabon, Haiti, Guyana, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Germany, Honduras, Grenada, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Democratic Republic Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Saharan Arab Democratic Republic¹, Israel, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Latvia, Liberia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania , Mauritania, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Nigeria, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Palestinian Authority, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Syria, Slovenia, Suriname, USA, Sierra Leone, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkish Republic Northern Cyprus, Ukraine, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Chile, Sweden, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, South Africa, Jamaica.

The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic does not have state sovereignty and is not a subject international law, its future is to be settled in accordance with the relevant UN decisions.

Indian Ocean- the third largest ocean of the Earth, covering about 20% of its water surface.

Area 76.2 million km2

Volume 210 million km3

In the north it is bounded by Asia, in the west by Arabian Peninsula and Africa, in the east - Indochina, the Sunda Islands and Australia, in the south - Southern Ocean. The boundary between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans runs along the 20th meridian. east longitude, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans runs along the 147 ° meridian of east longitude. The most north point Indian Ocean is located at about 30° northern latitude in the Persian Gulf. The width of the Indian Ocean is approximately 10,000 km between the southern points of Australia and Africa.

Climate

AT this region four climatic zones elongated along the parallels are distinguished. In the first, located north of 10 ° south latitude, a monsoonal climate prevails with frequent cyclones moving towards the coasts. In summer, the temperature over the ocean is 28-32°C, in winter it drops to 18-22°C. The second zone (trade wind) is located between 10 and 30 degrees south latitude. Throughout the year, southeasterly winds blow here, especially strong from June to September. The average annual temperature reaches 25 °C. The third climatic zone lies between the 30th and 45th parallel, in subtropical and temperate latitudes. In summer the temperature here reaches 10-22°С, and in winter - 6-17°С. Between 45 degrees south latitude and Antarctica lies the fourth zone of the subantarctic and antarctic climatic zones, which is characterized strong winds. In winter, the temperature here ranges from -16 °C to 6 °C, and in summer - from -4 °C to 10 °C.

Economic importance
Indian Ocean

fishing

The importance of the Indian Ocean for the world fishing industry is small: the catches here are only 5% of the total. The main commercial fish of the local waters are tuna, sardine, anchovy, several species of sharks, barracudas and rays; Shrimps, lobsters and lobsters are also caught here.

Transport routes

The most important transport routes of the Indian Ocean are routes from the Persian Gulf to Europe and North America, as well as from the Gulf of Aden to India, Indonesia, Australia, Japan and China.

Minerals

The most important mineral resources of the Indian Ocean are oil and natural gas. Their deposits are found on the shelves of the Persian and Suez Gulfs, in the Bass Strait, on the shelf of the Hindustan Peninsula. On the coasts of Mozambique, the islands of Madagascar and Ceylon, ilmenite, monazite, rutile, titanite and zirconium are exploited. There are deposits of barite and phosphorite off the coast of India and Australia, and deposits of cassiterite and ilmenite are exploited on an industrial scale in the shelf zones of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.