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Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean, covering approximately 70.56 million square kilometers and bordered by over 38 countries. It serves as a vital global trade route, influenced by monsoon winds and home to diverse marine life, though it faces significant environmental challenges. Key features include major seas, strategic choke points, and island nations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

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36 views2 pages

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean, covering approximately 70.56 million square kilometers and bordered by over 38 countries. It serves as a vital global trade route, influenced by monsoon winds and home to diverse marine life, though it faces significant environmental challenges. Key features include major seas, strategic choke points, and island nations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Uploaded by

kuldeep24lsa
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The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world and plays a crucial role in global trade,

climate, and biodiversity. Here's an overview of its key features:

🌍 Basic Facts

• Location: Bounded by Africa to the west, Asia to the north, Australia to the east, and the
Southern Ocean to the south.
• Size: About 70.56 million square kilometers (27.24 million square miles).
• Average depth: Approximately 3,741 meters (12,274 feet).
• Deepest point: Java Trench (or Sunda Trench) – about 7,258 meters (23,812 feet)
deep.

🗺️ Borders and Surrounding Countries

It touches the shores of over 38 countries, including:

• Africa: Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa


• Middle East: Oman, Yemen, Iran
• South Asia: India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
• Southeast Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia
• Australia

🌊 Major Seas and Gulfs

• Arabian Sea
• Bay of Bengal
• Andaman Sea
• Red Sea (via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait)
• Persian Gulf (via the Strait of Hormuz)

🚢 Strategic Importance

• Global Trade Route: One of the busiest maritime regions for oil and cargo shipping.
• Choke Points:
o Strait of Hormuz
o Strait of Malacca
o Bab el-Mandeb
• Major Ports: Mumbai (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Port of
Singapore

🌡️ Climate and Ocean Currents

• Influenced by monsoon winds (seasonal wind reversals).


• Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): A climate phenomenon that affects weather in Australia,
East Africa, and Asia.
• Warmest of all oceans, with less oxygen at deep levels compared to the Pacific or
Atlantic.

🐋 Marine Life

• Home to coral reefs, dugongs, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and various fish species.
• Major coral systems: Lakshadweep, Maldives, Seychelles.
• Rich in biodiversity but faces threats from overfishing and pollution.

⚠️ Environmental Issues

• Plastic pollution
• Oil spills
• Climate change: Rising sea levels and coral bleaching
• Overfishing and habitat destruction

🏝️ Island Nations and Territories

• Island Nations: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros


• Territories: Réunion (France), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India), Cocos (Keeling)
Islands (Australia)

Would you like a map, current geopolitical issues, or economic data about the Indian Ocean?

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