. Index
. 1996 Index
. Flag
. Geography
. People
. Government
. Economy
. Transportation
. Commun'tions
. Defense
. Geo Names
. Feedback
===========
|
Indian Ocean Geography 1996
body of water between Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and Australia
slightly less than eight times the size of the US; third-largest ocean
(after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Arctic
Ocean)
includes Arabian Sea, Bass Straight, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight,
Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, and other tributary
water bodies
some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October);
tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern
Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean
surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of
currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents
in the northern Indian Ocean, low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia
from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and
southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern
Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and
northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the
Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge,
Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninety East Ridge; maximum depth is 7,258
meters in the Java Trench
oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer
deposits, polymetallic nodules
endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales;
oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme south near Antarctica from
May to October
international agreements:
major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of
Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait
|
|
