<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Indian Ocean<nl>Geography</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Location:</hi> body of water between Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica
<item><hi format=bold>Area:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>total area:</hi> 73.6 million sq km
<item>• <hi format=ital>comparative area:</hi> 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)
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> includes Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, and other tributary water bodies
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<item><hi format=bold>Coastline:</hi> 66,526 km
<item><hi format=bold>International disputes:</hi> some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
<item><hi format=bold>Climate:</hi> northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the north Indian Ocean and January/February in the south Indian Ocean
<item><hi format=bold>Terrain:</hi> surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the south Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the north 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
<item><hi format=bold>Natural resources:</hi> oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules
<item><hi format=bold>Environment:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>current issues:</hi> endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
<item>• <hi format=ital>natural hazards:</hi> NA
<item>• <hi format=ital>international agreements:</hi> NA
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Note:</hi> major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme south near Antarctica from May to October
