The term “sea” generally refers to the large body of salt water, that is partially or completely surrounded by land. The only exception is the Sargasso Sea, which is defined only by ocean currents. Seas have their unique geographical features including coastlines, islands, and peninsulas.
Some Important Seas Of The World
Several seas around the world have their own historical, economic human-made, and cultural significance.
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Sea
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Characteristics
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Mediterranean Sea
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- It is one of the most iconic seas in the world, bordered by Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- It is also referred to as the incubator of Western Civilisations.
- The eastern Mediterranean Sea is divided into two basins – the Ionian Basin and the Levantine Basin.
- The highest temperature of the Mediterranean is in the Gulf of Sidra- off the coast of Libya
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Caribbean Sea
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- It is located in the western Atlantic Ocean in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere, known for its crystal clear water and stunning coral reefs.
- It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles starting with Cuba, to the east by the Lesser Antilles, and to the south by the northern coast of South America.
- The Gulf of Mexico lies to the northwest.
- It has the world’s second-largest, it’s barrier reef – the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
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Arabian Sea
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- It is surrounded by the Arabian Peninsula to the north and east, the Indian Subcontinent in the East, and the Horn of Africa in the South.
- It merges with the Gulf of Oman to the northwest and the Gulf of Aden to the southwest and spans a total area of 1,491,000 square miles.
- It is one of the most important features of this sea is the Maldive Ridge which runs along the ocean floor from the Arabian Sea into the Indian Ocean.
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Red Sea
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- It is located between the northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
- It is the world’s northernmost tropical sea as well as the world’s warmest sea.
- It is connected to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to the south through the Gulf of Aden and the narrow strait of Bab el-Mandeb.
- The northern portion of the Red Sea is bifurcated by the Sinai Peninsula into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, where it is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the famous Suez Canal.
- The world’s famous island found in the Red Sea is the Tiran Island.
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North Sea
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- It is situated between, Great Britain, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe.
- It covers an area of approximately 570,000 square kilometers.
- The Kiel Canal, one of the world’s busiest artificial waterways, connects the North Sea with the Baltic.
- The sea’s deepest part is the Norwegian trench which is 725 meters deep.
- The shallowest area is the Dogger Bank, which is only 12 meters deep.
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Baltic Sea
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- It is surrounded by several Northern European countries, including Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Denmark.
- It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits.
- The Baltic Sea contains three major gulfs: the Gulf of Bothnia to the north, the Gulf of Finland to the east, and the Gulf of Riga slightly to the south-southwest.
- It is the largest body of brackish waters and has a unique ecosystem
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Bodies of Water
About 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. Bodies of water are stagnant or moving water accumulations on the earth’s surface. They come in various sizes and shapes ranging from small ponds to vast oceans.
In this particular article, we will focus on its types, characteristics, and importance along with some examples.