Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world. It generally occupies 20% of Earth’s surface and 26% of water surface area. It has occupied area of 106,400,000 square kilometers and has depth of 3,926 m. Atlantic Ocean is located between the continents of America, Europe, Africa and Antarctica.
‘Puerto Rico Trench’ is the deepest spot found in Atlantic Ocean having a depth of 8,381 m. 4,830 km is the largest distance between United States and North Africa across Atlantic Ocean and shortest distance occurs between Senegal and Brazil, which generally count 2,575 km. The Atlantic Ocean is S shaped, as it is S shaped it results in two distinct basins in its own circulation system. The water in Northern Atlantic flows in a clockwise direction and the water in Southern Atlantic flows in an anticlockwise direction.
Temperatures of the water current and ocean surface water, winds influence the climate in Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Ocean has the great retention capacity and that’s why marine climate is more proper and have very fewer seasonal variations rather than inland climates. Ocean is the key source of moisture which is obtained by the process of evaporation. Due to latitude the zones of climate in this regeion vary. The warmest zone is stretched towards the Atlantic north equator. In high latitude, there are the coldest zones corresponding with coldest regions to the areas covered by the sea ice. The flow of current in the ocean influences the climate by transporting warm and cold waters to the other regions. Moisture and air over the land areas are transported by wind in the bordering countries of Atlantic Ocean.
Development of hurricanes is found in the southern part of the North Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Ocean is contributing on a large scale for the development and improvement of economy in the bordering countries. It is also known as biggest Shipping Ocean. Atlantic Ocean is a major artery between the western and eastern hemispheres. Crude oil and natural gas are found abundantly in continental shelves of Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Ocean is known for hosting world’s richest resources especially in water covering shelves. The major fishes found in Atlantic Ocean are cod, haddock, hake, bearing and mackerel.
