Country Profile: Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean basin in the world, bordered by Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia. It encompasses significant waterways that are vital for international trade, including the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz. The ocean's climate is influenced by monsoon seasons, leading to unique environmental conditions. The Indian Ocean is a crucial area for marine resources and biodiversity, although it faces challenges from pollution and overfishing.
Geography
The Indian Ocean stretches over an impressive area of 70.56 million sq km, making it almost seven times the size of the United States. Its geographical coordinates are 20° S, 80° E, and it has a coastline measuring 66,526 km. The ocean contains numerous critical features including continental shelves, slopes, and various marine environments, which play a key role in its ecology.
- 264 million cu km is the total volume of the Indian Ocean, representing 19.8% of the world ocean's total volume.
- The ocean includes diverse natural resources such as oil and gas fields, fish, and polymetallic nodules.
- The Java Trench, at -7,192 m, is the deepest point in the Indian Ocean.
Environment
The Indian Ocean is facing several environmental issues including marine pollution from dumping, oil spills, and the degradation of coral reefs. It is also home to some of the most productive fisheries globally, accounting for 15.5% of the world's catch in 2020. Significant catches include tuna and shrimp, particularly in the Eastern Indian Ocean region.
- 12,220,000 mt of fish were caught globally from the Indian Ocean in 2020.
- The Eastern Indian Ocean region produced 6,590,000 mt of this total, with India being a major contributor.
- Environmental threats include loss of biodiversity and endangered marine species.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 70.56 million sq km | Total area of the Indian Ocean |
| Coastline | 66,526 km | Total length of the coastline |
| Ocean Volume | 264 million cu km | Total volume of the Indian Ocean |
| Mean Depth | -3,741 m | Average depth of the ocean |
| Deepest Point | -7,192 m | Depth of the Java Trench |
| Global Catch (2020) | 12,220,000 mt | Total fish catch from the ocean |
| Eastern Indian Ocean Catch | 6,590,000 mt | Fish catch from the Eastern region |
| Western Indian Ocean Catch | 5,630,000 mt | Fish catch from the Western region |
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