The size of the ocean – to 91.6 million sq km;
Maximum depth of the groove Puerto Rico , 8742 m;
The number of seas – 16;
The biggest sea – Sargasso sea, Caribbean sea, Mediterranean sea;
The largest Bay – Gulf of Mexico;
The biggest Islands are great Britain, Iceland, Ireland;
The strongest currents:
- warm – Gulfstream, Brazilian, North Equatorial, South Equatorial;
- cold – Bengali, Labrador, Canary, westerly Winds.
The
Atlantic ocean occupies all the space from the sub-Arctic latitudes to
Antarctica. In the southwest it is bordered by the Pacific ocean, on the
South-East with India and on the North by the Arctic ocean. In the
Northern hemisphere the coastline of continents which are washed by the
Arctic ocean, strongly indented. There are many inland seas, especially
in the East.
The Atlantic ocean is considered relatively young ocean.
The mid-Atlantic ridge, which stretches almost strictly along the
Meridian that divides the ocean floor into two approximately equal
parts. In the North separate peaks of the range rise above the water in
the form of volcanic Islands, the largest of which is Iceland.
The Atlantic ocean is in all climatic zones, but most of it is in tropical and temperate latitudes. The climatic conditions are determined by the trade winds and westerly winds. Highest force of wind reach in the temperate latitudes of the South Atlantic ocean. Near the island of Iceland is the center of origin of cyclones, which greatly affect the nature of the whole Northern hemisphere.
The average temperature of surface waters in the Atlantic ocean is much lower than in the Pacific. This is due to the influence of cold water and ice coming from the Arctic ocean and Antarctica. At high latitudes there are many icebergs and drifting ice floes. In the North, the icebergs slid with Greenland, and to the South of Antarctica. In our days the movement of icebergs is watched piece of space satellites.
Currents in the Atlantic ocean meridional direction and are characterized by a strong activity of water mass movements from one in other latitudes.
Organic world of the Atlantic ocean in species composition is poorer than that of quiet. This is explained by the geological youth and cooler climatic conditions. But despite this, stocks of fish and other marine animals and plants in the ocean is quite significant. The organic world is richer in temperate latitudes. More favourable living conditions for many species of fish have developed in the Northern and North-Western parts of the ocean where there is less flow of warm and cold currents. Here industrial importance are: cod, herring, rockfish, mackerel, capelin.
Originality stand out natural complexes of individual seas and gulfs of the Atlantic ocean, Especially inland seas: Mediterranean, Black, North and Baltic. In the Northern subtropical zone is located, unique in nature, Surganova sea. Giant Sargasso seaweed, which is rich sea, made him famous.
Across the Atlantic ocean are important sea routes that connect the New world with European countries and Africa. On the coast and the Atlantic Islands are world famous areas for recreation and tourism.