file9.ai
← Back to profiles

Country Profile: Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean basin in the world, situated between continents including Africa, Europe, and the Americas. It encompasses an area of approximately 85.133 million square kilometers, which is about 7.5 times the size of the United States. The ocean's diverse marine ecosystem supports a wide range of species and is vital for global fisheries, despite facing environmental challenges such as overfishing and pollution. The governance of this vast body of water is influenced by various nations and international bodies responsible for maritime and environmental regulations.

Geography

The Atlantic Ocean is strategically located between multiple continents, including Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with geographic coordinates of 0° N, 25° W. Its total area is approximately 85.133 million square kilometers, featuring a coastline that extends 111,866 km. The environmental dynamics include tropical cyclones that frequently develop along its coast, particularly from May to December.

  • 23.3% of the world's ocean volume is contained within the Atlantic, approximately 310,410,900 cubic kilometers.
  • The ocean is home to significant features such as the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest point at -8,605 meters.
  • It has a mean depth of -3,646 meters, creating various ecological zones.

People and Society

(The section is omitted as there was no provided source text.)

Economy

(The section is omitted as there was no provided source text.)

Government

The name "Atlantic Ocean" originates from the ancient Greek term Atlantis thalassa, which translates to "Sea of Atlas." This historical naming reflects the ocean's long-standing significance in human culture and exploration.

Military and Security

(The section is omitted as there was no provided source text.)

Energy

(The section is omitted as there was no provided source text.)

Environment

The Atlantic Ocean faces numerous environmental issues, including endangered marine species and pollution from various sources. Fishery problems such as overfishing and unregulated practices are significant concerns. Furthermore, maritime transport and offshore drilling contribute to pollution levels that affect both marine life and coastal communities.

  • In 2020, the Atlantic Ocean fisheries accounted for 25.8% of the global catch, totaling 20,300,000 metric tons.
  • The Northeast Atlantic region produced 10.5% of the global catch, with major contributions from Norway and Russia.
  • Significant pollution issues have been reported in areas such as the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America.

Transportation

Transportation across the Atlantic Ocean is facilitated by notable waterways like the Kiel Canal and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. These routes are crucial for both commercial and recreational navigation, especially along the eastern seaboard of the US.

  • The Intracoastal Waterway serves as an important navigational route on the central and southern Atlantic coast.

Communications

(The section is omitted as there was no provided source text.)

Key Metrics

MetricValueNote
Area85.133 million sq kmTotal surface area of the ocean.
Coastline111,866 kmTotal coastline measurement.
Ocean Volume310,410,900 cu kmVolume of the ocean.
Deepest Point-8,605 mPuerto Rico Trench.
Mean Depth-3,646 mAverage depth of the ocean.
Percentage of World Ocean Volume23.3%Contribution to global ocean volume.