Indian Ocean
14580
225832084
2008-07-15T16:35:36Z
Bazonka
561069
Parallel and meridian links added - some red links, I will fix these!
{{refimprove|date=June 2007}}
{{Five oceans}}
:''This article is about the water body. For the Indian fusion music band, see [[Indian Ocean (band)]].''
The '''Indian Ocean''' is the third largest of the world's [[ocean]]ic divisions, covering about 20% of the water on the [[Earth]]'s surface. It is bounded on the north by [[Asia]] (including the [[Indian subcontinent]], after which it is named); on the west by [[Africa]]; on the east by [[Indochina]], the [[Sunda Islands]], and [[Australia]]; and on the south by the [[Southern Ocean]] (or, traditionally, by [[Antarctica]]). One component of the all-encompassing [[World Ocean]], the Indian Ocean is delineated from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] by the [[20th meridian east|20° east meridian]] running south from [[Cape Agulhas]],<ref>[http://www.iho.shom.fr/publicat/free/files/S23_1953.pdf ''Limits of Oceans and Seas'']. International Hydrographic Organization Special Publication No. 23, 1953.</ref> and from the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] by the [[147th meridian east|147° east meridian]]. The northernmost extent of the Indian Ocean is approximately [[30th parallel north|30° north]] in the [[Persian Gulf]] and, thus, has asymmetric ocean circulation. This ocean is nearly 10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi) wide at the southern tips of Africa and Australia; its area is 73,556,000 square kilometres (32.1 mi), including the [[Red Sea]] and the [[Persian Gulf]].
The ocean's volume is estimated to be 292,131,000 cubic kilometers (70,086,000 mi³). Small islands dot the continental rims. [[Island]] nations within the ocean are [[Madagascar]] (formerly Malagasy Republic), the world's fourth largest island; [[Comoros]]; [[Seychelles]]; [[Maldives]]; [[Mauritius]]; and [[Sri Lanka]]. [[Indonesia]] borders it on the east. The ocean's importance as a transit route between [[Asia]] and Africa has made it a scene of conflict. Because of its size, however, no nation had successfully dominated most of it until the early 1800s when the [[United Kingdom]] controlled much of the surrounding land. After the decline of the [[British Empire]], the ocean has been dominated by [[India]] and [[Australia]].
[[Image:Indianocean.PNG|right|300px|Indian Ocean]]
==Geography==
The African, Indian, and Antarctic crustal plates converge in the Indian Ocean. Their junctures are marked by branches of the Mid-Oceanic Ridge forming an inverted Y, with the stem running south from the edge of the [[continental shelf]] near [[Mumbai]], [[India]]. The eastern, western, and southern basins thus formed are subdivided into smaller basins by ridges. The ocean's continental shelves are narrow, averaging 200 kilometres (125 mi) in width. An exception is found off Australia's western coast, where the shelf width exceeds 1,000 kilometres (600 mi). The average depth of the ocean is 3,890 metres (12,760 ft). Its deepest point, is in the [[Diamantina Deep]] close to the coast of south west [[Western Australia]]. North of [[50th parallel south|50° south latitude]], 86% of the main basin is covered by [[pelagic]] sediments, of which more than half is [[Globigerinida|globigerina ooze]]. The remaining 14% is layered with [[terrigenous]] sediments. Glacial outwash dominates the extreme southern latitudes.
A spring 2000 decision by the [[International Hydrographic Organisation]] delimited a [[Southern Ocean|fifth world ocean]], stripping the southern portions of the Indian Ocean. The new ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to [[60th parallel south|60° south latitude]] which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Indian Ocean remains the third-largest of the world's five oceans.
Major choke points include [[Bab el Mandeb]], [[Strait of Hormuz]], [[Strait of Malacca]], southern access to the [[Suez Canal]], and the [[Lombok Strait]]. Seas include [[Andaman Sea]], [[Arabian Sea]], [[Bay of Bengal]], [[Great Australian Bight]], [[Gulf of Aden]], [[Gulf of Oman]], [[Laccadive Sea]], [[Mozambique Channel]], [[Persian Gulf]], [[Red Sea]], [[Strait of Malacca]], and other tributary water bodies.
===Climate===
The climate north of the [[equator]] is affected by a [[monsoon]] or [[tornado]] wind system. Strong north-east winds blow from October until April; from May until October south and west winds prevail. In the [[Arabian Sea]] the violent monsoon brings rain to the Indian subcontinent. In the southern hemisphere the winds generally are milder, but summer storms near Mauritius can be severe. When the monsoon winds change, cyclones sometimes strike the shores of the Arabian Sea and the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The Indian Ocean is the warmest ocean in the world.
===Hydrology===
[[Image:Indian Ocean bathymetry srtm.png|thumb|right|[[Bathymetry|Bathymetric]] map of the Indian Ocean]]
Among the few large rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean are the [[Zambezi]], [[Shatt al-Arab]], [[Indus River|Indus]], [[Ganges River|Ganges]], [[Brahmaputra]], [[Juba]] and [[Ayeyarwady River]]. Currents are mainly controlled by the monsoon. Two large circular currents, one in the northern hemisphere flowing clockwise and one south of the equator moving anticlockwise, constitute the dominant flow pattern. During the winter monsoon, however, currents in the north are reversed. Deep water circulation is controlled primarily by inflows from the [[Atlantic Ocean]], the [[Red Sea]], and Antarctic currents. North of [[20th parallel south|20° south latitude]] the minimum surface temperature is 22 °C (72 °F), exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) to the east. Southward of [[40th parallel south|40° south latitude]], temperatures drop quickly. Surface water [[salinity]] ranges from 32 to 37 parts per 1000, the highest occurring in the Arabian Sea and in a belt between southern Africa and south-western Australia. Pack ice and icebergs are found throughout the year south of about [[65th parallel south|65° south latitude]]. The average northern limit of icebergs is [[45th parallel south|45° south latitude]].
===Sub surface features===
As the youngest of the major oceans <ref> Stow, D. A. V. (2006) ''Oceans : an illustrated reference'' Chicago : University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0226776646 - page 127 for map of Indian Ocean and text </ref> has active spreading ridges :-
* Carlsberg, [[Southwest Indian Ridge]], [[Southeast Indian Ridge]] and the Mid Indian Ridges
==Economy==
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 oil fields of the [[Persian Gulf]] and [[Indonesia]]. 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 [[mineral]]s, and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly [[India]], [[South Africa]], [[Indonesia]], [[Sri Lanka]], and [[Thailand]].
The warmth of the Indian Ocean keeps [[plankton|phytoplankton]] production low, except along the northern fringe and in a few scattered spots elsewhere; life in the ocean is thus limited. [[Fishing]] is confined to subsistence levels. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from [[Russia]], [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], and [[Taiwan]] also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for [[shrimp]] and [[tuna]].
Endangered marine species include the [[dugong]],[[seal (mammal)|seal]]s, [[turtle]]s, and [[whale]]s.
Oil and ship [[pollution]] threatens the [[Arabian Sea]], [[Persian Gulf]], and [[Red Sea]],
==History==
The world's earliest civilizations in [[Mesopotamia]] (beginning with [[Sumer]]), [[ancient Egypt]], and the [[Indian subcontinent]] (beginning with the [[Indus Valley Civilization|Indus Valley civilization]]), which began along the valleys of the [[Tigris]]-[[Euphrates]], [[Nile]] and [[Indus River|Indus]] rivers respectively, had all developed around the Indian Ocean. Civilizations soon arose in [[Iran|Persia]] (beginning with [[Elam]]) and later in [[Southeast Asia]] (beginning with [[Funan]]). During [[Egypt]]'s first dynasty (c. 3000 BC), sailors were sent out onto its waters, journeying to [[Punt (region)|Punt]], thought to be part of present-day [[Somalia]]. Returning ships brought gold and myrrh. The earliest known maritime trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley (c. 2500 BC) was conducted along the Indian Ocean. [[Phoenicia]]ns of the late [[3rd millennium BC]] may have entered the area, but no settlements resulted.
The Indian Ocean is far calmer and thus opened to trade earlier than the Atlantic or [[Pacific]] Oceans. The powerful monsoons also meant ships could easily sail west early in the season, then wait a few months and return eastwards. This allowed [[Indonesia]]n peoples to cross the Indian Ocean to settle in Madagascar.
In the second or first century BC, [[Eudoxus of Cyzicus]] was the first [[Greece|Greek]] to cross the Indian Ocean. [[Hippalus]] is said to have discovered the direct route from [[Arabia]] to India around this time. During the first and second centuries intensive [[Roman commerce|trade relations]] developed between [[Roman Egypt]] and the [[Tamil people|Tamil kingdoms]] of the [[Cheras]], [[Cholas]] and [[Pandyas]] in [[South India|Southern India]]. Like the Indonesian peoples above, the western sailors used the monsoon to cross the ocean. The unknown author of the ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' describes this route and the ports and trade goods along the coasts of Africa and India around AD 70.
From 1405 to 1433, Admiral [[Zheng He]] led large fleets of the [[Ming Dynasty]] on several voyages to the Western Ocean ([[Chinese language|Chinese]] name for the Indian Ocean) and reached the coastal country of [[East Africa]]. (see [[Zheng He]] for reference)
In 1497, [[Vasco da Gama]] rounded the [[Cape of Good Hope]], and became the first European to sail to India. The European ships, armed with heavy cannon, quickly dominated trade. [[Portugal]] at first attempted to achieve pre-eminence by setting up forts at the important straits and ports. But the small nation was unable to support such a vast project, and they were replaced in the mid-17th century by other European powers. The [[Dutch East India Company]] (1602-1798) sought control of trade with the East across the Indian Ocean. [[France]] and Britain established trade companies for the area. Eventually Britain became the principal power and by 1815 dominated the area.
The opening of the [[Suez Canal]] in 1869 revived European interest in the East, but no nation was successful in establishing trade dominance. Since World War II the United Kingdom has withdrawn from the area, to be only partially replaced by India, the [[Soviet Union|USSR]], and the [[United States]]. The last two have tried to establish hegemony by negotiating for naval base sites. Developing countries bordering the ocean, however, seek to have it made a "zone of peace" so that they may use its shipping lanes freely, though the United Kingdom and United States maintain a military base on [[Diego Garcia]] atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
On [[December 26]], [[2004]], the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean were hit by a [[tsunami]] caused by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]]. The waves resulted in more than 226,000 deaths and over 1 million were left homeless.
==Culture and literature==
The Indian Ocean is known as '''Ratnakara''' in the ancient [[Sanskrit]] literature. Ratnakara means ''"the maker(creator) of jewels"''.
:''See [[Culture of the Indian Ocean Islands]] and [[Indian Ocean literature]]''
==Major ports and harbours==
{{main|List of ports and harbours of the Indian Ocean}}
==See also==
{{wiktionary}}
{{commons}}
*[[Indian Ocean states]]
*[[List of islands in the Indian Ocean]]
==References==
<references />
==External links==
* [http://www.whoi.edu/imageOfDay.do Oceanography Image of the Day ], from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
* [http://dapper.pmel.noaa.gov/dchart/index.html?map=-11.25,73.125&z=2 NOAA In-situ Ocean Data Viewer] Plot and download ocean observations
* [http://www.rttp-io.org/en/ The Regional Tuna Tagging Project-Indian Ocean with details of the importance of Tuna in the Indian Ocean]
* [http://www.alphavilla.co.uk/mauritius_map_indian_ocean.html Detailed maps of the Indian Ocean]
* [http://www.bu.edu/africa/outreach/materials/handouts/indian.html The Indian Ocean Trade: A Classroom Simulation]
* [http://www.indian-ocean-islands.com Travel in the Indian Ocean]
{{Waters of South Asia}}
{{coor title d|20|S|80|E|type:waterbody_scale:100000000}}
[[Category:Indian Ocean| ]]
[[af:Indiese Oseaan]]
[[ar:محيط هندي]]
[[an:Ozián Indico]]
[[frp:Ocèan Endien]]
[[ast:Océanu Índicu]]
[[az:Hind okeanı]]
[[bn:ভারত মহাসাগর]]
[[zh-min-nan:Ìn-tō͘-iûⁿ]]
[[be:Індыйскі акіян]]
[[be-x-old:Індыйскі акіян]]
[[bcl:Kadagatan Indio]]
[[bs:Indijski okean]]
[[br:Meurvor Indez]]
[[bg:Индийски океан]]
[[ca:Oceà Índic]]
[[cv:Инди океанĕ]]
[[ceb:Kadagatang Indyan]]
[[cs:Indický oceán]]
[[cy:Cefnfor India]]
[[da:Indiske Ocean]]
[[de:Indischer Ozean]]
[[dv:ހިންދު ކަނޑު]]
[[et:India ookean]]
[[el:Ινδικός Ωκεανός]]
[[es:Océano Índico]]
[[eo:Hinda Oceano]]
[[ext:Océanu Índicu]]
[[eu:Indiako Ozeanoa]]
[[fa:اقیانوس هند]]
[[fr:Océan Indien]]
[[ga:An tAigéan Indiach]]
[[gd:Cuan Innseanach]]
[[gl:Océano Índico]]
[[ko:인도양]]
[[hy:Հնդկական Օվկիանոս]]
[[hi:हिन्द महासागर]]
[[hr:Indijski ocean]]
[[io:Indiana Oceano]]
[[ig:Indian Ocean]]
[[id:Samudra Hindia]]
[[ia:Oceano Indian]]
[[is:Indlandshaf]]
[[it:Oceano Indiano]]
[[he:האוקיינוס ההודי]]
[[jv:Samudra Hindia]]
[[pam:Indian Ocean]]
[[kn:ಹಿಂದೂ ಮಹಾಸಾಗರ]]
[[ka:ინდოეთის ოკეანე]]
[[sw:Bahari ya Hindi]]
[[ht:Endyen]]
[[ku:Okyanûsa Hindî]]
[[la:Oceanus Indicus]]
[[lv:Indijas okeāns]]
[[lt:Indijos vandenynas]]
[[li:Indische Oceaan]]
[[ln:India (lombú)]]
[[hu:Indiai-óceán]]
[[mk:Индиски Океан]]
[[mg:Ranomasimbe Indiana]]
[[ml:ഇന്ത്യന് മഹാസമുദ്രം]]
[[mt:Oċean Indjan]]
[[mr:हिंदी महासागर]]
[[ms:Lautan Hindi]]
[[mn:Энэтхэгийн Далай]]
[[nah:Ilhuicaātl Índico]]
[[nl:Indische Oceaan]]
[[new:हिन्द महासागर]]
[[ja:インド洋]]
[[no:Indiahavet]]
[[nn:Det indiske havet]]
[[oc:Ocean Indian]]
[[om:Indian Ocean]]
[[km:មហាសមុទ្រឥណ្ឌា]]
[[pl:Ocean Indyjski]]
[[pt:Oceano Índico]]
[[kaa:Hind okeanı]]
[[crh:İnd okeanı]]
[[ro:Oceanul Indian]]
[[rm:Ocean indic]]
[[qu:Indiku mama qucha]]
[[ru:Индийский океан]]
[[sa:सिन्धु महासागर]]
[[simple:Indian Ocean]]
[[sk:Indický oceán]]
[[sl:Indijski ocean]]
[[so:Badweynta Hindiya]]
[[sr:Индијски океан]]
[[fi:Intian valtameri]]
[[sv:Indiska oceanen]]
[[ta:இந்தியப் பெருங்கடல்]]
[[te:హిందూ మహాసముద్రం]]
[[th:มหาสมุทรอินเดีย]]
[[vi:Ấn Độ Dương]]
[[tg:Уқёнуси Ҳинд]]
[[tr:Hint Okyanusu]]
[[uk:Індійський океан]]
[[ur:بحر ہند]]
[[wa:Oceyan Indyin]]
[[wo:Mbàmbulaanug End]]
[[zh-yue:印度洋]]
[[diq:Okyanuso Hind]]
[[bat-smg:Indėjės ondenīns]]
[[zh:印度洋]]