Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/273.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 4KB | 78 lines

{bigtext=26,120,"Indian Ocean"}{4}


{1}Geography{4}

{2}Location:{4} body of water between Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and Australia

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 73.6 million sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} 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)
{3}note:{4} 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

{2}Coastline:{4} 66,526 km

{2}International disputes:{4} some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

{2}Climate:{4} 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

{2}Terrain:{4} 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
{3}lowest point:{4} Java Trench -7,258 m
{3}highest point:{4} sea level 0 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,
polymetallic nodules

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil
pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea

{2}natural hazards:{4} ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme south near Antarctica from May
to October

{2}international agreements:{4} NA

{2}Geographic note:{4} major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca,
southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait


{1}Government{4}
the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes appendix


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East,
Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of
petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are
of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export.
Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for
shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi
Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production
comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits
are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand.


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Ports:{4} Calcutta (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Madras
(India), Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richard's Bay (South Africa)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephone system:{4}
{3}international:{4} submarine cables from India to UAE and Malaysia and from Sri Lanka to Djibouti
and Indonesia