The Indian Ocean is an integral part of the world's oceans. Its maximum depth is 7729 m (Sunda Trench), and the average depth is slightly more than 3700 m, which is the second result after the depths of the Pacific Ocean. The size of the Indian Ocean is 76.174 million km2. This is 20% of the world's oceans. The volume of water is about 290 million km3 (together with all the seas).
The waters of the Indian Ocean are light blue and have good transparency. This is due to the fact that very few freshwater rivers flow into it, which are the main “troublemakers”. By the way, due to this, the water in the Indian Ocean is much more salt than the salinity of other oceans.
Indian Ocean Location
Most of the Indian Ocean is located in the Southern Hemisphere. In the north, it borders with Asia, in the south with Antarctica, in the east with Australia and in the west with the African continent. In addition, in the southeast, its waters connect with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and in the southwest with the Atlantic Ocean.
Seas and bays of the Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean does not have as many seas as other oceans. For example, in comparison with the Atlantic Ocean, there are 3 times less of them. Most of the seas are located in its northern part. In the tropical zone are Red (the most saline sea on Earth), Lakkadivskoe, Arabian, Arafura, Timor and Andaman seas. In the Antarctic zone the sea of Durville, the Commonwealth, Davis, Rieser-Larsen, Cosmonauts is located.
The largest bays of the Indian Ocean are Persian, Bengal, Omani, Aden, Prudes and Greater Australian.
Islands of the Indian ocean
The Indian Ocean is not distinguished by the abundance of islands. The largest islands of mainland origin are Madagascar, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Java, Tasmania, Timor. Also, there are volcanic islands, such as Mauritius, Reunion, Kerguelen, and coral ones - Chagos, Maldives, Andaman and others.
The underwater world of the Indian Ocean
Since more than half of the Indian Ocean is located in the tropical and subtropical zones, its underwater world is very rich and diverse in species terms. The coastal zone in the tropics abounds with numerous colonies of crab and unique fish - silt jumpers. Coral lives in shallow water and a variety of algae grow in temperate waters - calcareous, brown, red.
The Indian Ocean is home to dozens of species of crustaceans, molluscs and jellyfish. A rather large number of sea snakes also live in ocean waters, among which poisonous species are also present.
A special pride of the Indian Ocean is sharks. Many species of these predators plough its waters, namely, tiger, mako, grey, blue, great white shark, etc.
Mammals are represented by killer whales and dolphins. Several species of pinnipeds (seals, dugongs, seals) and whales live in the southern part of the ocean.
Despite all the wealth of the underwater world, the seafood trade in the Indian Ocean is rather poorly developed - only 5% of the world catch. Sardines, tuna, shrimp, spiny lobsters, stingrays and lobsters are caught in the ocean.
Interesting facts about the Indian Ocean
1. The ancient name of the Indian Ocean is East.
2. In the Indian Ocean, ships are regularly found in good condition, but without crew. Where it disappears is a mystery. Over the past 100 years, there have been 3 such ships - Tarbon, Houston Market (tankers) and the Cabin Cruiser.
3. Many species of the underwater world of the Indian Ocean have a unique property - they can glow. This explains the appearance of luminous circles in the ocean.
The Indian Ocean, in which you can find many rare specimens of flora and fauna, is the third largest. In it, according to researchers, navigation began about 6 thousand years ago. The first navigators were Arabs, they also compiled the first maps. He was once investigated by Vasco de Gama, James Cook.
The waters of the Indian Ocean, clean, transparent and surprisingly beautiful due to the fact that few rivers flow into it, can be dark blue and even azure.