Country Profile: Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean, the second largest ocean basin in the world, is a vital water body that separates continents including Africa, Europe, and the Americas. It plays a crucial role in global climate and biodiversity, hosting diverse marine resources and significant fishing industries. With a coastline of over 111,000 kilometers, it significantly influences trade routes and maritime security. Governance and environmental management are critical due to challenges like pollution and overfishing, making international cooperation essential for its sustainability.

Geography

The Atlantic Ocean is situated between Africa, Europe, the Arctic Ocean, the Americas, and the Southern Ocean, encompassing an area of approximately 85.133 million square kilometers, which is about 7.5 times the size of the United States. It features a plethora of oceanic structures, including major currents, sub-sea ridges, and trenches, shaping its unique ecosystem. The ocean's considerable coastline reaches 111,866 km.

310,410,900 cu km: Total volume of the Atlantic Ocean.
-8,605 m: The deepest point in the Atlantic is the Puerto Rico Trench.
3,646 m: The mean depth of the ocean.
23.3%: Proportion of the world's ocean total volume that the Atlantic contains.
Major ocean currents include the Gulf Stream and Canary Current.

People and Society

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Economy

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Government

The name "Atlantic Ocean" originates from the ancient Greek term Atlantis thalassa, meaning "Sea of Atlas." This historical context underscores the ocean's longstanding significance to various cultures and civilizations.

Military and Security

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Energy

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Environment

The Atlantic Ocean faces various environmental challenges, including endangered marine species and significant pollution from maritime transport and industrial activities. Overfishing and unregulated fishing practices threaten its rich biodiversity. Notably, the Atlantic fisheries represent 25.8% of the global catch, making it critical for food security and economic stability.

20,300,000 mt: Total global catch from the Atlantic in 2020.
Key fishing regions include the Northeast Atlantic and Eastern Central Atlantic.

Transportation

The Atlantic Ocean features important waterways such as the Kiel Canal in Germany and the Saint Lawrence Seaway in North America, crucial for international shipping and trade. This extensive network facilitates both commercial and recreational navigation along its shores.

Significant domestic use includes the Intracoastal Waterway on the US East Coast.

Communications

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Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Area	85.133 million sq km	Total area of the ocean
Coastline	111,866 km	Length of the coastline
Ocean Volume	310,410,900 cu km	Total volume of the ocean
Deepest Point	-8,605 m	Puerto Rico Trench
Mean Depth	-3,646 m	Average ocean depth
Marine Catch (2020)	20,300,000 mt	Total catch from Atlantic
% of Global Marine Catch	25.8%	Contribution of Atlantic fisheries