We see a great blue expanse when we look at the map of the Atlantic Ocean Photo only pole to pole? The Atlantic Ocean: Comprising one of the five oceans, it lies between North America and South America in the west, and Europe and Africa to the east Picture.
it is this huge body of water that connects these lands and ships can travel over if they so choose, or where fish could swim from one end to the other. Today we’re diving into the wonders of the Atlantic Ocean and learning all about it!
What is the Atlantic Ocean?
The Atlantic, the second largest ocean on Earth (covering some 20% of our planet’s surface) A mighty liquid blanket that covers the belly of our planet, metaphorically curling up over Central and South America while drifting in a rather unstressed fashion between Europe and Africa. See how the ocean becomes a road, opening our world for people to move everything around reminding us of that old but gold-like trading.
Atlantic Ocean -Shape and Size
When you look at a map from above of the Atlantic Ocean, it will appear in a shape similar to one huge letter “S”. It is thinner in the middle, near the Equator and grows wider toward its top and bottom.
And remember that the sea is very deep, with some parts of it believed to be more than 8km in depth (that’s equivalent to putting nearly eight thousand tall buildings on top of one another!) It is not that there is no difference, it has the same mountain valleys and plans just like on Earth.
Atlantic World Continents
The Atlantic Ocean is encased by four large land masses. North and South America are to the west, as well as you have Europe plus Africa to the east.
This is like acreage that sits about the ocean, with altered countries and bodies active on them. The Atlantic Ocean has connected these locations for thousands of years. Ships have sailed its waters carrying humans, foodstuffs, herbs and even ideas to cross-boundaries.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a unique feature of the Atlantic Ocean. Think of a massive mountain range down on ground level but beneath water! This ridge the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge, extends from near the Arctic Ocean in the north to close to Antarctica and is thought by scientists to be an erupting event on top of a molten pool there.
Almost like the backbone of the ocean. As the Earth’s plates slowly pull away from each other, creating a new ocean floor at this mid-ocean ridge. This shifting is why there are small earthquakes here but do not worry as they take place miles underground and we don’t feel them!
Islands in the Atlantic Ocean
We find many islands in the Atlantic Ocean, some large and others small. Classical examples of these islands are the Azores, the Canary Islands and so on as well as Caribe Cuba or Jamaica.
All these islands are small pieces of dirt in the ocean, but every island has once had its own culture, wildlife and history. For instance, the Caribbean islands are known for their idyllic beaches and warm weather that draws holidaymakers to flock in.
The Water of the Atlantic
It is a salty ocean like all the other oceans. However, have you ever thought that water temperature might vary at different locations? At the Equator, where there is a lot of sunlight water also tends to be warm.
The water, though, is colder the closer you get to the poles. In the north, close to Arctic waters, it is so cold that even icebergs could form big pieces of ice just floating on top of oceans.
Ocean Currents
Why are there ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean? It’s Like Rivers of Water Flowing in the Ocean. A prime example is the Gulf Stream. It originates in the Gulf of Mexico and sweeps across into the Atlantic deepening towards Europe.
The Gulf Stream is so valuable to Europe because it guarantees that the climate will remain warmer than It would otherwise have been without its effect. They also aid faster transportation of ships by utilizing the “river,” carrying them.
Animals of the Atlantic Ocean
Many incredible animals live in the Atlantic Ocean. Certain organisms, such as plankton many of which look like minuscule blobs in the microscope but are a vital part of marine food webs can serve as an important clue for researchers struggling to understand how different elements move through ocean-atmosphere systems.
Others are huge, like whales! You might also see dolphins, sharks and sea turtles in the waters of The Atlantic. There are various animals found in each part of the ocean as all have adapted themselves to reside on their own. Near the shores, you might come across crabs and lobsters, but way deep down below in the ocean live bizarre creatures such as a squid of gigantic proportions.
The Atlantic Ocean and People
The Atlantic Ocean has been used by people for thousands of years as a way to travel, and catch fish. We created the world with what we had and long ago, explorers sailed from their regions over to this one hundreds of years before my time.
This is still the case today when goods are imported and exported between countries through maritime trade. The Atlantic is highly significant for fishery because worldwide, so many people consume seafood from this ocean. But, let’s dish responsibly and not destroy our oceanic ecosystems.
Protecting the Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is an incredibly rich and valuable resource but our seas are under enormous pressure. Plastic waste is an example of pollution that can harm the animals that inhabit the ocean.
Because of climate change, even the ocean is being affected. It has helped in global warming as it causes sea levels to rise and water temperatures to increase wait for a few seconds We need to maintain the cleanliness and health of the Atlantic Ocean by reducing pollution and protecting animals that live there. This helps us protect this beautiful ocean for years to come.
Interesting Facts about The Atlantic Ocean
Before that, the term “Atlantic” came from Greek mythology for Atlas, a Titan who held up the sky hence the Atlantic Ocean.
The widest distance across the Atlantic Ocean is 3,000 miles.
The Bermuda Triangle — a mysterious region in the Atlantic that has sparked countless myths and legends.
In 1912, the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Ocean is not just simply a large expanse marked by lines on the map. It is an integral part of our world, linking people and cultures from one continent to another and connecting the wildlife in between.
We need to know what we are a basin of and think about it to better understand how not to take the wrong action. Next time you take a look at an Atlantic Ocean map, think about all the great things hidden beneath and how dependent we are on him.
