What is the area of the Atlantic Ocean?

Some sources cite data characterizing the area of the Atlantic Ocean without taking into account the marginal and inland seas of this basin. But more often it is necessary to operate with indicators relating to the entire water area. Let's consider several variants of answers to the question made in the title of the article. In addition, we will compare the area of the Atlantic basin with other parts of the World Ocean (MO). Also, we will touch on the possible increase in the water level, which threatens to flood huge coastal areas, densely populated and with a complex infrastructure.

Problems of determining the area and boundaries of water areas

Calculating the dimensions and comparing the territories of individual parts of the MODs make it difficult to different views on their number. It is generally recognized that the four seas are divided into the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian and the Arctic. There is another point of view, when the North and South Atlantic are separated, or the southern parts of the basins are united in one part of the Moscow Region. The features on which the division is based are the character of the bottom relief, atmospheric and water circulation, temperature and other indicators. Complicating the situation is the fact that some sources refer the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic, considering one of the seas the entire territory near 90 ° N. W. This point of view did not find official recognition.

General characteristics of the Atlantic (briefly)

The ocean occupies a vast territory stretched in the meridional direction. The length of the Atlantic from north to south is 16 thousand km, which leads to significant differences in the natural and climatic conditions of the basin. The smallest width of the water area is near the equator, the influence of the continents is stronger here. Taking into account the seas, the area of the Atlantic Ocean is 91.66 million km ² (according to other sources - 106.46 million km ² ).

In the relief of the bottom, two powerful mid-oceanic ridges are distinguished: the Northern and Southern Ranges. The Atlantic Ocean reaches its maximum depth in the area of the Puerto Rican depression - 8742 m. The average distance from the surface to the bottom is 3736 m. The total volume of water in the basin is 329.66 million km ³ .

The considerable length and huge area of the Atlantic Ocean affect the diversity of the climate. When moving away from the equator to the poles, there are considerable fluctuations in the temperatures of air and water, and the content of dissolved substances in it. The lowest salinity is found in the Baltic Sea (8%), in tropical latitudes this indicator increases to 37%.

Large rivers flow into the seas and gulfs of the Atlantic: the Amazon, the Congo, the Mississippi, the Orinoco, the Niger, the Loire, the Rhine, the Elbe and others. The Mediterranean Sea communicates with the ocean through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar (13 km).

Form of the Atlantic

The configuration of the ocean on the map resembles the letter S. The widest parts are located between 25 and 35 ° N. W., 35 and 65 ° S. W. The magnitude of these water areas has a significant impact on the total area of the Atlantic Ocean. Its basin is characterized by considerable dismemberment in the Northern Hemisphere. It is here that the largest seas, bays and archipelagos are located. Tropical latitudes abound in coral structures and islands. If we do not take into account the marginal and inland seas, the area of the Atlantic Ocean (million km ² ) is 82.44. The width of this water basin varies considerably from north to south (km):

• Between the islands of Ireland and Newfoundland - 3320;
• On the breadth of Bermuda, the water area is expanding - 4800;
• From the Brazilian cape San Roque to the coast of Liberia - 2850;
• Between Horn in South America and m. Of Good Hope in Africa - 6500.

Borders of the Atlantic in the west and east

The natural boundaries of the ocean are the coasts of North and South America. Previously, these continents were connected by the Isthmus of Panama, through which, about 100 years ago, the same navigable canal was laid. He connected a small Pacific gulf with the Caribbean Sea of the Atlantic Ocean, while dividing the two American continents. In this part of the basin there are many archipelagoes and islands (Great and Small Antilles, Bahamas and others).

The shortest distance between South America and Antarctica is in the Drake Passage. It is here that the southern border with the Pacific basin passes. One of the differentiation options is along the meridian 68 ° 04 h. From the South American Cape Horn to the nearest point on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The easiest way to find a border with the Indian Ocean. It is laid exactly on 20 ° c. Etc. - from the coast of Antarctica to the South African m. Igolny. In the southern latitudes, the area of the Atlantic Ocean reaches its highest values.

Borders in the North

It is more difficult to divide the waters of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans on a map. The border passes near the Labrador Sea and to the south of Fr. Greenland. In the Danish Channel, the waters of the Atlantic reach the Arctic Circle, Iceland the border is lowered slightly to the south. The western coast of Scandinavia is almost completely washed by the Atlantic Ocean, here the borderline is 70 ° N. W. Large marginal and inland seas in the east: North, Baltic, Mediterranean, Black.

What is the area of the Atlantic Ocean (in comparison with other parts of the MOD)

The Pacific basin is the largest on Earth. The Atlantic takes the 2nd place in terms of water area and depth, covering 21% of the surface of our planet, the first place in the catchment area. Together with the seas, the area of the Atlantic Ocean (million km2) is between 106.46 and 91.66. The smaller figure is almost twice as low as in the Pacific basin. The Atlantic Ocean is about 15 million km ² larger than the Indian Ocean.

In addition to calculations relating to the present time, experts identify possible increases and decreases in the level of MO, flooding coastal areas. So far no one can say when this will happen and how. The area of the Atlantic Ocean can change in the case of melting ice in the north and south with a warming climate. Fluctuations of the level occur constantly, but there is also a noticeable general tendency to reduce the ice area in the Arctic and Antarctic. As a result of the rise of water in the Atlantic Ocean, large areas on the east coast of Canada and the USA, in the west and in the north of Europe, including the shores of the Baltic Sea, may be flooded.