South temperate climate zone of the Pacific Ocean. Climate zones of the Pacific Ocean

The Atlantic and Pacific, Indian and Arctic Oceans, as well as continental waters, make up the World Ocean. The hydrosphere plays an important role in shaping the planet's climate. Under the influence of solar energy, part of the water of the oceans evaporates and falls as precipitation on the territory of the continents. Surface water circulation humidifies the continental climate, bringing heat or cold to the mainland. The water of the oceans changes its temperature more slowly, therefore it differs from the temperature regime of the earth. It should be noted that the climatic zones of the oceans are the same as on land.

Climate zones of the Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean has a large length and four atmospheric centers are formed in it with different air masses - warm and cold. The temperature regime of water is affected by water exchange with the Mediterranean Sea, the Antarctic seas and the Arctic Ocean. All the climatic zones of the planet pass in the Atlantic Ocean, therefore, in different parts of the ocean there are completely different weather conditions.

Climatic zones of the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is located in four climatic zones. In the northern part of the ocean, the monsoon climate, which was formed under the influence of the continental. The warm tropical zone has a high temperature of the air masses. Sometimes there are storms with strong winds, and even tropical hurricanes occur. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the equatorial zone. It gets cloudy here, especially in the area close to Antarctic waters. Clear and favorable weather occurs in the region of the Arabian Sea.

Climate zones of the Pacific Ocean

The climate of the Pacific Ocean is influenced by the weather of the Asian continent. Solar energy is distributed zonal. The ocean is located in almost all climatic zones, except for the Arctic. Depending on the belt, in different areas there is a difference in atmospheric pressure, and different air currents circulate. In winter, strong winds prevail, and in summer - southerly and weak ones. Calm weather almost always prevails in the equatorial zone. Warmer temperatures in the western Pacific, cooler in the east.

Climatic zones of the Arctic Ocean

The climate of this ocean was influenced by its polar location on the planet. Persistent ice masses make weather conditions harsh. In winter, there is no solar energy and the water is not heated. In summer, there is a long polar day and a sufficient amount of solar radiation enters. Different parts of the ocean receive different amounts of precipitation. The climate is influenced by water exchange with neighboring water areas, Atlantic and Pacific air currents.

To the question in which climatic zones the Pacific Ocean is located, asked by the author Neurologist the best answer is Its unique “records” are associated with the size of the Pacific Ocean: the strongest winds, the highest and longest waves, the most destructive tsunamis, etc. The huge size of the ocean determines the diversity and contrast of climatic conditions. Therefore, in the Pacific Ocean, the entire range of “climatic coasts” is most fully represented - from ice to coral and mangroves.
In the waters of the Pacific Ocean, 10 climatic zones are distinguished, in which certain air masses dominate: the equatorial belt, two subequatorial zones, located between 3-5 ° N. and yu. sh. two tropical, two subtropical, two temperate and subarctic. The boundaries of climatic zones, of course, change with the change of seasons, but these migrations in the latitudinal direction do not exceed a few degrees. Air masses of climatic zones differ in temperature and humidity fields, types of cyclonic activity.

Answer from Ўliya Blinova[guru]
equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate, subarctic, subantarctic, polar.
this is if you do not take into account the theory of the existence of the "southern ocean". otherwise, all but the last two


Answer from Easily[newbie]
In the Pacific Ocean, all climatic zones are distinguished with the exception of the northern polar (Arctic). The western and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean differ significantly from each other and from the central regions of the ocean. As a result, within the belts, as a rule, physiographic regions are distinguished. In each specific region, natural conditions and processes are determined by the position in relation to the continents and islands, the depth of the ocean, the peculiarity of the circulation of air and water, etc. In the western part of the Pacific Ocean, marginal and interisland seas are usually distinguished as physiographic regions, in the eastern - zones of intense upwelling.
Northern subpolar (subarctic) belt
Unlike the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific part of the belt is quite isolated from the influence of the Arctic Ocean. The belt occupies most of the Bering and Okhotsk Seas.
In autumn and winter, the surface layer of water cools to the freezing point, and large masses of ice form. Cooling is accompanied by salinization of waters. In summer, sea ice gradually disappears, the temperature of the thin upper layer rises to 3-5°C, in the south - up to 10°C. Cold water remains below, forming an intermediate layer formed as a result of winter cooling. Thermohaline convection, summer heating and water desalination (30-33% o) as a result of ice melting, the interaction of warm currents (Aleutian) with cold subpolar waters determine the relatively high content of nutrients in surface waters and the high bioproductivity of the subarctic belt. Nutrients are not lost at great depths, since vast shelves are located within the water area. Two regions stand out in the subarctic zone: the Bering Sea and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, rich in valuable commercial fish, invertebrates and marine animals.
northern temperate zone
In the Pacific Ocean, it covers vast areas from Asia to North America and occupies an intermediate position between the main areas of formation of cold subarctic and warm subtropical and tropical waters.
In the west of the belt, the warm Kuroshio Current and the cold Kuril Current (Oyashio) interact. From the streams formed with mixed water, the North Pacific Current is formed, which occupies a significant part of the water area and carries huge masses of water and heat from west to east under the influence of the westerly winds prevailing here. Water temperatures fluctuate greatly throughout the year in the temperate zone. In winter, near the coast, it can drop to 0°C, in summer it rises to 15-20°C (up to 28°C in the Yellow Sea). Ice forms only in limited inland areas of shallow seas (for example, in the northern part of the Sea of ​​Japan). In winter, vertical thermal convection of waters develops with the participation of intense wind mixing: cyclonic activity is active in temperate latitudes. The high content of oxygen and nutrients in the water ensures a relatively high bioproductivity, and its value in the northern part of the belt (subpolar waters) is higher than in the southern part (subtropical waters). The salinity of the waters in the northern half of the water area is 33%o, in the southern half it is close to the average - 35%o. The western part of the belt is characterized by monsoon circulation, sometimes typhoons come here. Within the belt, the areas of the Japan and Yellow Seas and the Gulf of Alaska stand out.
Northern subtropical belt
It is located between the westerly winds of temperate latitudes and the trade winds of equatorial-tropical latitudes. The middle part of the water area is surrounded by the northern subtropical ring of currents.
Due to the prevailing sinking of the air and its stable stratification within the belt, there is usually a clear sky, a small amount of precipitation and relatively dry air. There are no prevailing air currents, the winds are weak and changeable, and calms are characteristic. Evaporation is very high due to dry air and high


The Pacific (or Great) Ocean occupies 1/3 of the Earth's surface and almost half of the area and more than half of the volume of the World Ocean. This is the largest, the warmest(according to surface water temperature) and The most deep from all oceans. The ocean is located in all hemispheres Land and is surrounded by Eurasia and Australia to the west, North and South America to the east, and Antarctica to the south. Its border with the Arctic Ocean runs along the Bering Strait, with the Atlantic - along the narrowest point of the Drake Passage, and with the Indian - along a conditional line (all seas between the islands of the Malay Archipelago belong to the Pacific Ocean, and south of Australia - all waters east of the 145th Meridian East)

Coastline relatively straight off the coast of North and South America and strongly dissected off the coast of Eurasia. Fjord and abrasion types of shores predominate. In tropical latitudes in the west, the shores are coral, in places with barrier reefs. Near Antarctica, the shores are formed by ice shelves. In the western part of the ocean there are many archipelagos and individual islands - in terms of their number and area, the Pacific Ocean ranks first. Most of the marginal seas are also located here.

Bottom relief The Pacific Ocean is very complex. The shelf is relatively narrow, especially off the coast of North and South America (several tens of kilometers), while off the coast of Eurasia it measures hundreds of kilometers. Deep-sea trenches are located in the peripheral parts of the ocean (25 of the 35 trenches of the World Ocean with a depth of more than 5 km and all four trenches with a depth of more than 10 km). Large uplifts, individual mountains and ridges divide the ocean floor into basins. In the southeast is the East Pacific Rise, which is part of the system of mid-ocean ridges.

Most of the ocean is on one lithospheric plate. Deep-sea trenches and island arcs are confined to the zones of its interaction with continental plates; "Fiery Pacific Ring"(a chain of active volcanoes and epicenters of terrestrial and underwater earthquakes that cause tsunamis), as well as deposits of ore minerals.

Mineral resources. Large reserves of ferromanganese nodules are concentrated at the bottom of the ocean. Oil and gas deposits have been discovered on the shelves off the coast of Asia and South America. Alluvial deposits of gold and tin were found in loose deposits near the coast. Phosphorite deposits are confined to the zones of deep water rise near the western tropical coasts of South America.Climate. Most of the Pacific Ocean lies in the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical zones. Here the air temperature is +16...+24 °C all year round. In the north of the ocean in winter, it drops below 0 ° C, off the coast of Antarctica, this temperature is constant. Trade winds dominate in tropical latitudes, westerly winds dominate in temperate latitudes, and monsoons off the coast of Eurasia. Strong storms and typhoons often occur. The maximum amount of precipitation (about 3000 mm) falls in the western part of the equatorial "belt, the minimum - in the eastern regions between the equator and the southern tropic (about 100 mm).

Near Antarctica, sea ice persists all year round. In the northern part - only in winter. Antarctic icebergs are observed up to 40 ° S. sh.

currents. There are two huge rings of water movement in the ocean. The northern ring includes the Northern Equatorial, Kuroshio, North Pacific and California currents; South - South Equatorial, East Australian, West Winds and Peruvian currents. They have a significant impact on the redistribution of heat in the ocean, on the nature of the adjacent land. For example, trade winds carry warm water from the eastern parts of the ocean to the western parts, so at low latitudes the western part of the ocean is much warmer than the eastern part. In middle and high latitudes, on the contrary, the eastern parts of the ocean are warmer than the western ones.organic world. In terms of the number of species and biomass, the organic world of the Pacific Ocean is richer than in other oceans (the fauna has about 100 thousand species, and phytoplankton - 380). Organic life is especially rich in equatorial-tropical latitudes, in areas of coral reefs. The northern part of the ocean is characterized by a variety of salmon species. Fishing in the ocean accounts for almost half of the world's catch. Main commercial species: salmon, cod, flounder, perch. The main fishing areas are upwelling areas off the coast of America (the waters off the coast of South America between 4 and 23 ° S are especially productive), areas of interaction between warm and cold waters, and western shelves.Natural complexes. In the Pacific Ocean there are all natural belts, except for the north polar one, they are elongated in the latitudinal direction.

In the Northern Subpolar Belt, there is an intensive circulation of waters, so they are rich in fish. The Northern temperate zone is characterized by the interaction of warm and cold water masses. The oxygen-rich waters are full of a variety of organisms.

The western part of the Northern subtropical belt is warm, the eastern part is cold. The waters are poorly mixed, and the number of plankton and fish is small.

In the Northern Tropical Belt there are many single islands and archipelagos, and the Northern Trade Wind is being formed. Water productivity is low. In the equatorial belt, a complex interaction of various currents is observed, at the boundaries of which ascending flows are formed and biological productivity increases. The most rich in life are the shelves of the Sunda Islands, aquatic complexes of coral reefs.

The natural belts of the Southern Hemisphere are similar to the northern ones, but differ in the composition of organisms.

Magellan discovered the Pacific Ocean in the autumn of 1520 and called the ocean the Pacific Ocean, “because, according to one of the participants, during the transition from Tierra del Fuego to the Philippine Islands, more than three months, we never experienced the slightest storm.” By the number (about 10 thousand) and the total area of ​​the islands (about 3.6 million km²), the Pacific Ocean ranks first among the oceans. In the northern part - the Aleutian; in the western - Kuril, Sakhalin, Japanese, Philippine, Greater and Lesser Sunda, New Guinea, New Zealand, Tasmania; in the central and southern - numerous small islands. 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 a maximum depth of the World Ocean - 11,022 m), Philippine, etc.; in the east - Central American, Peruvian, etc.

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 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 ‰. The Pacific Ocean accounts for about half of the world's fish catch (pollock, herring, salmon, cod, sea bass, etc.). Extraction of crabs, shrimps, oysters.

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. Major ports: Vladivostok, Nakhodka (Russia), Shanghai (China), Singapore (Singapore), Sydney (Australia), Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, Long Beach (USA), Huasco (Chile). The International Date Line runs along the 180th meridian across the Pacific Ocean.

Plant life (except bacteria and lower fungi) is concentrated in the upper 200th layer, in the so-called euphotic zone. Animals and bacteria inhabit the entire water column and the ocean floor. Life develops most abundantly in the shelf zone, and especially near the coast at shallow depths, where the flora of brown algae and a rich fauna of mollusks, worms, crustaceans, echinoderms, and other organisms are diversely represented in the temperate zones of the ocean. In tropical latitudes, the shallow water zone is characterized by the widespread and strong development of coral reefs, and mangroves near the shore. With the advancement from cold zones to tropical ones, the number of species sharply increases, and the density of their distribution decreases. About 50 species of coastal algae - macrophytes are known in the Bering Strait, over 200 off the Japanese Islands, over 800 in the waters of the Malay Archipelago. In the Soviet Far Eastern seas there are about 4000 known species of animals, and in the waters of the Malay Archipelago - at least 40-50 thousand . In the cold and temperate zones of the ocean, with a relatively small number of plant and animal species, due to the mass development of some species, the total biomass greatly increases; in the tropical zones, individual forms do not receive such a sharp predominance, although the number of species is very large.

With distance from the coasts to the central parts of the ocean and with increasing depth, life becomes less diverse and less abundant. In general, the fauna of T. o. includes about 100 thousand species, but only 4-5% of them are found deeper than 2000 m. At depths of more than 5000 m, about 800 species of animals are known, more than 6000 m - about 500, deeper than 7000 m - slightly more than 200, and deeper than 10 thousand m - only about 20 species.

Among coastal algae - macrophytes - in temperate zones, fucus and kelp are especially distinguished by their abundance. In tropical latitudes, they are replaced by brown algae - Sargasso, green - Caulerpa and Galimeda and a number of red algae. The surface zone of the pelagial is characterized by the massive development of unicellular algae (phytoplankton), mainly diatoms, peridiniums and coccolithophorids. In zooplankton, the most important are various crustaceans and their larvae, mainly copepods (at least 1000 species) and euphausids; a significant admixture of radiolarians (several hundred species), coelenterates (siphonophores, jellyfish, ctenophores), eggs and larvae of fish and benthic invertebrates. In T. o. one can distinguish, in addition to the littoral and sublittoral zones, a transitional zone (up to 500-1000 m), bathyal, abyssal and ultraabyssal, or a zone of deep-water trenches (from 6-7 to 11 thousand m).

Planktonic and benthic animals serve as abundant food for fish and marine mammals (nekton). The fish fauna is exceptionally rich, including at least 2,000 species in tropical latitudes and about 800 in the Soviet Far Eastern seas, where, in addition, there are 35 species of marine mammals. The most commercially important fish are: anchovies, Far Eastern salmon, herring, mackerel, sardine, saury, sea bass, tuna, flounder, cod and pollock; from mammals - sperm whale, several species of minke whales, fur seal, sea otter, walrus, sea lion; from invertebrates - crabs (including Kamchatka), shrimps, oysters, scallops, cephalopods and many others; from plants - kelp (seaweed), agaronos-anfeltia, sea grass zoster and phyllospadix. Many representatives of the fauna of the Pacific Ocean are endemic (pelagic cephalopod nautilus, most Pacific salmon, saury, greenling fish, northern fur seal, sea lion, sea otter, and many others).

The large extent of the Pacific Ocean from North to South determines the diversity of its climates - from equatorial to subarctic in the North and Antarctic in the South. Most of the ocean surface, approximately between 40 ° north latitude and 42 ° south latitude, is located in the zones of equatorial, tropical and subtropical climates. The circulation of the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean is determined by the main areas of atmospheric pressure: the Aleutian Low, the North Pacific, South Pacific and Antarctic Highs. The indicated centers of action of the atmosphere in their interaction determine the great constancy of northeast in the North and southeast in the South winds of moderate strength - trade winds - in the tropical and subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean and strong westerly winds in temperate latitudes. Especially strong winds are observed in the southern temperate latitudes, where the frequency of storms is 25-35%, in the northern temperate latitudes in winter - 30%, in summer - 5%. In the West of the tropical zone, from June to November, tropical hurricanes - typhoons are frequent. The monsoon circulation of the atmosphere is typical for the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. The average air temperature in February decreases from 26-27°C near the equator to -20°C in the Bering Strait and -10°C off the coast of Antarctica. In August, the average temperature varies from 26-28°C near the equator to 6-8°C in the Bering Strait and to -25°C off the coast of Antarctica. Throughout the Pacific Ocean, located north of 40 ° south latitude, there are significant differences in air temperature between the eastern and western parts of the ocean, caused by the corresponding dominance of warm or cold currents and the nature of the winds. In tropical and subtropical latitudes, the air temperature in the East is 4–8 °C lower than in the West. In the northern temperate latitudes, the opposite is true: in the East, the temperature is 8–12 °C higher than in the West. The average annual cloudiness in areas of low atmospheric pressure is 60-90%. high pressure - 10-30%. The average annual precipitation at the equator is more than 3000 mm, in temperate latitudes - 1000 mm in the West. and 2000-3000 mm to the east. The least amount of precipitation (100-200 mm) falls on the eastern outskirts of the subtropical regions of high atmospheric pressure; in the western parts, the amount of precipitation increases to 1500-2000 mm. Fogs are typical for temperate latitudes, they are especially frequent in the area of ​​the Kuril Islands.

Under the influence of the atmospheric circulation developing over the Pacific Ocean, surface currents form anticyclonic gyres in subtropical and tropical latitudes and cyclonic gyres in northern temperate and southern high latitudes. In the northern part of the ocean, circulation is formed by warm currents: the Northern Trade Wind - Kuroshio and the North Pacific and cold California currents. In the northern temperate latitudes, the cold Kuril Current dominates in the West, and the warm Alaska Current dominates in the East. In the southern part of the ocean, anticyclonic circulation is formed by warm currents: the South Equatorial, East Australian, zonal South Pacific and cold Peruvian. To the north of the equator, between 2-4° and 8-12° north latitude, the northern and southern circulations are separated during the year by the Intertrade (Equatorial) countercurrent.

The average temperature of the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean (19.37 °C) is 2 °C higher than the temperature of the waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which is the result of the relatively large size of that part of the Pacific Ocean area, which is located in well-heated latitudes (over 20 kcal/cm2 per year). ), and limited communication with the Arctic Ocean. The average water temperature in February varies from 26-28 °С near the equator to -0.5, -1 °С north of 58° north latitude, near the Kuril Islands and south of 67° south latitude. In August, the temperature is 25-29 °С near the equator, 5-8 °С in the Bering Strait and -0.5, -1 °С south of 60-62 ° south latitude. Between 40 ° south latitude and 40 ° north latitude, the temperature in the eastern part of the T. o. 3-5 °C lower than in the western part. To the north of 40 ° north latitude - on the contrary: in the East, the temperature is 4-7 ° C higher than in the West. To the south of 40 ° south latitude, where zonal transport of surface waters prevails, there is no difference between water temperatures in the East and in the West. In the Pacific Ocean, there is more rainfall than evaporating water. Taking into account the river runoff, more than 30 thousand km3 of fresh water comes here annually. Therefore, the salinity of the surface waters of the T. o. lower than in other oceans (average salinity is 34.58‰). The lowest salinity (30.0-31.0‰ and less) is observed in the West and East of the northern temperate latitudes and in the coastal regions of the eastern part of the ocean, the highest (35.5‰ and 36.5‰) - respectively in the northern and southern subtropical latitudes. At the equator, water salinity decreases from 34.5‰ or less, in high latitudes - to 32.0‰ or less in the North, to 33.5‰ or less in the South.

The density of water on the surface of the Pacific Ocean increases fairly evenly from the equator to high latitudes in accordance with the general nature of the distribution of temperature and salinity: near the equator 1.0215-1.0225 g/cm3, in the North - 1.0265 g/cm3 and more, in the South - 1.0275 g/cm3 and more. The color of the water in the subtropical and tropical latitudes is blue, the transparency in some places is more than 50 m. In the northern temperate latitudes, the dark blue color of the water prevails, off the coast it is greenish, the transparency is 15-25 m. In the Antarctic latitudes, the color of the water is greenish, the transparency is up to 25 m .

Tides in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean are dominated by irregular semidiurnal (height up to 5.4 m in the Gulf of Alaska) and semidiurnal (up to 12.9 m in the Penzhina Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk). Near the Solomon Islands and off part of the coast of New Guinea, daily tides, up to 2.5 m. 40° north latitude. The maximum height of wind waves in the Pacific Ocean is 15 m or more, the length is over 300 m. Tsunami waves are characteristic, especially often observed in the northern, southwestern and southeastern parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Ice in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean is formed in seas with severe winter climatic conditions (Bering, Okhotsk, Japanese, Yellow) and in bays off the coast of Hokkaido, the Kamchatka and Alaska peninsulas. In winter and spring, ice is carried by the Kuril Current to the extreme northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. Small icebergs are found in the Gulf of Alaska. In the South Pacific, ice and icebergs form off the coast of Antarctica and are carried by currents and winds into the open ocean. The northern limit of floating ice in winter passes at 61-64 ° S latitude, in summer it shifts to 70 ° S latitude, icebergs are carried out to 46-48 ° S latitude at the end of summer. Icebergs form mainly in the Ross Sea.

1. Highlight the most common features of the nature of the Pacific Ocean. Explain their reasons.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and oldest of all oceans. Its area is 178.6 million. It can freely accommodate all the continents and islands combined, which is why it is sometimes called the Great.

The warm waters of the ocean contribute to the work of corals, of which there are many. The Great Reef stretches along the eastern coast of Australia. This is the largest "ridge" created by organisms.

The Pacific Ocean is the deepest. Its average depth is 3980 meters, and the maximum reaches 11022 m in the Mariana Trench

2. The Pacific Ocean has the greatest influence on the climate of which continents? Why?

Eurasia and Australia. North and South America are protected from the influence of the Pacific air masses by mountains, and Africa does not interact directly with the Pacific Ocean in any way.

4. Name the types of economic activity in the Pacific Ocean, rank them in order of importance.

The Pacific Ocean is heavily exploited by humans. Minerals are mined from the bottom of the ocean; the coastline changes with the construction of ports; recreational areas are expanding. The Pacific Ocean plays a huge role in the development of maritime transport, in the implementation of economic and cultural ties between the countries located on its coasts.

5. What is the negative impact of man on the nature of the Pacific Ocean?

Man pollutes the Pacific Ocean, thereby killing its inhabitants. Also, people illegally capture endangered species, thereby causing the death of several species along the food chain.

The choice of a tourist route is associated with endemic flora and fauna, as well as with a mild climate and the relative ease in obtaining visas for traveling to the countries represented. The scientific route is connected with the study of volcanoes.

7. What is the interaction between the Indian Ocean and the surrounding land?

The waters of the ocean constantly interact with the surrounding land. The shores under the influence of water are destroyed, over time becoming more indented. The softer rocks are composed of land, the faster the destruction of the coast and the change in the coastline.

Water evaporating from the surface of the ocean forms clouds that bring precipitation to land. Especially a lot of them falls where warm currents flow near the continents. Monsoons blowing from the Indian Ocean in summer bring rainfall to South Asia. Rivers originating in the Himalayas desalinate the northern part of the ocean.

8. What types of economic activities are developed in the Indian Ocean?

Fishing and fishing. Fish are caught off the coast of the continents, and fisheries - in Antarctic waters - whaling, Off the coast of Australia and Sri Lanka

pearl fisheries, on the shelf off Australia - tin, gold, phosphorites. In the Persian Gulf basin, near India and Australia, oil, gas, iron, manganese.

9. Name the largest ports on its coast.

Major ports in the Indian Ocean - Aden, Calcutta, Mumbai, Madras, Karachi,

Fremantle, Rangoon, Durban, Mombasa, Mogadishu, Chittagong.