Our planet is luxurious in every way: a huge variety of vegetation, a myriad wealth of wildlife and an endless abundance of aquatic life.All this and more is contained in our beautiful land.
Surely everyone knows that on this planet there are four immense ocean.They are all great in their own way.Pacific, for example, the biggest, the Atlantic - salty Arctic - the cold, and Indian - the warmest.Here is the last we will dedicate our article.
Did you know that the Indian Ocean is the third largest?Its area is no more nor less than 76.17 million km, and is 20% of the entire globe.So what are the secrets of the mysterious hero of our stores?We will understand later.
General information on the location of the north
ocean is mysterious Asia, in the east - adventurous Australia, in the west - the sun Africa, and in the south - freezing Antarctica.At 30 degrees north latitude, the meridian is the highest point in the Indian Ocean.It is situated in the Persian Gulf.According to the meridian 20o east border with the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific - at 146o 55 of the same longitude.The length of the Indian Ocean - 100,000 km.
few words about the history of
Some areas of ancient civilizations is located on the shores of our hero.The researchers argue that one of the first seafaring realized upon the waters of the Indian Ocean, about 6 thousand. Years ago.We describe in detail the ocean route Arab sailors.The first geographic information appeared in the 90s of the 15th century, during the life of Vasco de Gama, the first in the history overcame the way from Europe to India.It was he who told about the water countless beauty, which gave the Indian Ocean.
depth of the ocean for the first time measured the world renowned navigator James Cook, famous for its world expedition and numerous discoveries in the field of geography.Explore the ocean in all respects, have begun in the XIX century, members of one of the famous British expedition, the endless expanse of the furrows on the famous ship "Challenger".
Which countries washed by the Indian Ocean?
This giant huge number of washes, with both mainland and island.
Mainland countries of the Indian Ocean:
- India;
- Australia;
- Thailand;
- Saudi Arabia;
- Iran;
- Iraq;
- Indonesia;
- Egypt;
- Somalia;
- Kenya;
- South Africa;
- Pakistan;
- United Arab Emirates;
- Myanmar;
- Malaysia;
- Mozambique;
- Bangladesh;
- Oman.
island countries of the Indian Ocean:
- Mauritius;
- Maldives;
- Sri Lanka;
- Madagascar;
- Seychelles.
Here is such a vast Indian Ocean.
depth of the ocean
Indian Ocean has in its composition of five seas.They form the depth and size of our hero.So, for example, the Arabian Sea is one of the deepest in the Indian Ocean.The significant point is mid-ocean ridges, in the center, where is the Rift Valley.Depth over it is neither more nor less, and 3600 m. The deepest point of the Indian Ocean is located near the island of Java, in the Sunda Trench, and is 7455 m. In contrast to the Pacific Ocean, it is not enough, because its maximum depth of 11,022 m. (Mariana Trench).
climate Indian Ocean
Most of the ocean lies in the tropical, equatorial and sub-equatorial belts, just south of its area is located in the high latitudes.
represent monsoon climate and seasonal winds in the northern part of the ocean.In this area there are two seasons: warm, calm winters and hot, rainy, cloudy, stormy summers.Towards the south is hosting the southeast trade winds.In temperate latitudes constantly prevails a strong west wind.Maximum precipitation occurs in the equatorial belt (about 3000 mm per year).Minimum - off the coast of the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf.
salinity
Maximum Performance salinity of surface waters of the Indian Ocean - in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf (41%).It is also a fairly high rate of salinity is observed in the territory south of the tropics in the eastern part.As we move towards the Bay of Bengal indicators are significantly reduced - to 34%.
largely depends on the salinity increase in the coefficient of precipitation and evaporation.
minimum performance characteristic of the Antarctic waters.As a rule, this coefficient in the area affected by the melting of glaciers.
temperature
temperature of the Indian Ocean on the surface of the water is + 29o C. This is the highest indicator.Less seen in the African shores, where Somali lies within - * 22-23o C. At the equator, the temperature of the surface waters in the middle of + 26-28o C. If you move to the south, it reaches -1o C (near Antarctica).
His contribution to the temperature changes and make the icebergs that are rarely swim in the territory of southern latitudes.
As can be seen, the average temperature of the Indian Ocean as a whole is high, which is why our hero and awarded the title of "the warmest ocean in the world."
Bays
Indian Ocean has 19 bays (three of them belong to the Red Sea):
- the Gulf of Aden.It is of sufficient importance in the economy.It is used to transport oil and gas to Europe.The bay is connected to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea.It is an integral part of the Arabian Sea.The length of it is 890 square kilometers.In recent years, the territory of the Gulf of Aden, the cases of pirate robberies.
- Great Australian Bight.Length - 1335 thousand sq. Km.Depth - 5670 km.The bay stretches from the Western Cape to the Cape, located in Tasmania.
- Carpentaria.Depth - 69 m. The bay belongs to the Arafura Sea.It juts into the land of 600 km.
- Shark.Located 650 km from the city of Perth.All the bays of the Indian Ocean have their own history and features, shuffling - the only one of its kind Heritage Site.Every year, its natural beauty attracts 120,000 visitors a year.
- Spencer.It located in South Australia.Its length - 322 km, width - 129 km.Washed York Peninsula and Eyre.
- Van Diemen Gulf.He named discoverer Abel Tasman in honor of the Governor-General Anthony van Diemen.Bay Area is 14,000 square meters.km.
- Manza.Located on the coast of Tanzania, 16 km from the town of Tanga.
- Gulf of Cambay.It is an important commercial center, connects the Indian Ocean trade routes with India.The length is 130 km.
- Gulf of Oman.It connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.Its length - 45 km, width - 330 km, depth - 3695 km.
- Zhosef Bonaparte.Named in honor of the eldest brother of Napoleon.Its area is 26,780 sq km.In this bay there are numerous oil fields.
- Maputo.Its length - 112 km, depth - 16 m, width - 40 km.This bay is well developed fisheries, particularly shrimp fishing.
- St. Vincent.One of the largest bays in the southern part of Australia.
- Persian Gulf.Rich in oil reserves.It is the most important geopolitical entity.The area - 233,000 sq km, depth - 75 m, width - 320 km, the length - 925 km.
- Tadjoura.Washed Djibouti and Somalia.At the initiative of NI Ashinova its territory was built a village called "New Moscow".
- Phang Nga.It is popular among tourists.Area - 400 sq.km.
- Gulf of Martaban.Washes the shores of Myanmar.Length - 150 km, width - 220 km, depth - 20 m.
- Gulf of Mannar.The richest flora and fauna in the Indian Ocean.There are more than 3,500 species of fish.Developed for pearl production.On the territory of the Bay National Park was established, later declared a biosphere reserve.
Bays Indian Ocean, the Red Sea
- Aqaba.In recent years the resort has acquired importance.Length - 175 km, width - 29 km.Egypt belongs to the West Bank, East - Saudi Arabia, North - Jordan and Israel.
- Makadi.It attracts tourists with its magnificent coral beaches.It is a bay stretched for 30 kilometers along the coast of the Red Sea.
- Gulf of Suez.Asian Sinaiysky separates the peninsula from Africa.Length - 290 km, width - 55 km.
Relief
relief of the Indian Ocean is characterized by its depth of the ridge called the Indian central ridge.It stretches along the western coast of the Indian subcontinent.The average depth of the above it is 3.5 km away.In some locations it is reduced and is approximately 2.4 km.After this ridge divides.The first branch goes towards the east and reaches the area of the Pacific Ocean, almost touching Antarctica, and ends at the Southeast Indian Ridge, the depth of which - 3.5 km.
Another branch goes to Antarctica to the south and ends ridge called Kargelen-Gausberg, the minimum depth above which - 0.5 km, maximum - 2.3 km.
Central Indian Ocean ridge divides into two different-sized parts: eastern and western.On the territory located east of the Indo-Australian and South Australian Basin, the depth of which varies from 500 to 7455 m. In the north-eastern part of the Indo-Australian Basin is the deepest depression, which has the Indian Ocean.The depth of the ocean, or rather, its highest point is located near the island of Java (7455 m).
bottom of the Indian Ocean in the western part of the relief is significantly different from the east, it is more complicated in structure.This is due to the fact that in the last quite often carried a significant increase in the bottom (at the expense of most of the generated small size of the island) and uneven layout basins.
located north of the island of Madagascar, called the Somali Basin, the depth of which is 5.2 km away.To the south of the island is a plateau, the name of Crozet, surrounded on all sides of the basins.Depth over it is 2.5 km away.If you move to the northeast, there is the Central Indian Basin.Depth over it is 5.5 km away.Between Madagascar and Crozet, a little to the north, it is called the Madagascar Basin with a depth of 5.78 km.To the south - Basin belonging to the Cape Agulhas, the depth of which - 5.5 km.The relief of the Indian Ocean in the direction of Antarctica is characterized by the omission of the bottom.The depth of the area up to 5.8 km.
Flora and fauna
Nature Indian Ocean diverse and very interesting.It is home to animals and plants that are accustomed to regular droughts and floods.
Many tropical coast of the Indian Ocean are presented mangrove or Rhizophora (mangroves).The animals in the territory inhabited by numerous species of crabs.Fish called mudskipper inhabits almost the entire mangrove area of the Indian Ocean.
In shallow waters of tropical corals accustomed to living on their fish and numerous invertebrates.
In temperate zones grow brown, blue-green and red algae, most of them are kelp and fucus mikrotsistisy.Among the phytoplankton is dominated by diatoms, and in tropical areas - peridinians.
most famous crayfish, which are more predominant in the territory of the Indian Ocean, are copepods.Now there are more than 20,000 species.In second place among the animals that live in the ocean, there are jellyfish and squid.Among the known tuna fish, sailing, flying fish, dorado and bright anchovies.
territory chosen by the ocean and dangerous species.Sharks, crocodiles and poisonous snakes regularly strikes fear in local residents.
mammals in the Indian Ocean is dominated by dolphins, whales, dugongs and seals.Birds - penguins, albatrosses and frigate birds.
Pool
Indian Ocean is quite diverse.This includes African rivers - the Zambezi and Limpopo;major Asian rivers - the Irrawaddy, Salween;Euphrates and Tigris, which merge with each other just above the confluence of the Persian Gulf;Indus, which flows into the Arabian Sea.
Fisheries and Maritime fishing
The business activities of the coastal population is engaged in a long time.To this day, fishing and seafood is of great importance for the economy of many countries which are washed by the Indian Ocean.The depth of the ocean provides a rich gifts to people, for example, in Sri Lanka, in the north-west of Australia and Bahrain Islands goes intensive production of nacre and pearls.
Near Antarctica people are actively engaged in whaling, and near the equator is carried out tuna fishing.
located in the Persian Gulf oil-rich sources, with both the coastal area and underwater.
Ecological problems of the Indian Ocean
human activities have led to disastrous consequences.Water Ocean become significantly contaminated, which gradually leads to the extinction of some species of marine life.For example, several species of whales in the late 20th century were under threat of extinction.Greatly reduced the number of sei and sperm whales.
In the 80s of the 20th century Whaling Commission was introduced a complete ban on hunting them.Violation of the moratorium strictly punishable by law.But in 2010, under the influence of such countries as Japan, Denmark, Iceland, the ban, unfortunately, it was canceled.
great danger to marine life is the pollution of ocean waters oil, all kinds of nuclear waste and heavy metals.Also the way across the ocean are oil tankers that carry oil from the Persian Gulf to Europe.If an accident happens suddenly on such transport, it will lead to mass destruction of underwater inhabitants.
study geography is quite interesting, especially when it comes to beauty and marine inhabitants.The most detailed studies the Indian Ocean 7 class of secondary school.Children enthusiastically listen to everything the teacher says about this beautiful and mysterious giant, which is teeming with the diversity of vegetation and rich wildlife.
