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Atlantic Ocean, Map, Countries, Ocean Currents, Deepest Point

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is a body of salt water that covers roughly one-fifth of the Earth’s surface and separates the continents of Europe and Africa to the east and North and South America to the west. The ocean’s name is derived from Greek mythology and means “Sea of Atlas.” It is second only to the Pacific Ocean in size.

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean, covering about 106,460,000 square kilometers. It is located between North and South America to the west and Europe and Africa to the east. The ocean formed as North and South America drifted westward due to plate tectonics. Its shape is S-like, and it has an average depth of 3646 meters. The currents in the Atlantic Ocean affect the climate in Northwestern Europe and Africa. These currents are driven by the Earth’s rotation, wind, sunlight, and water density. This article provides helpful information about Atlantic Ocean currents for IAS 2024 candidates to help in their preparation.

Atlantic Ocean
Size Second largest Ocean  in the world
Location Body of water between Africa, Europe, the Arctic Ocean, the Americas, and the Southern Ocean
Area  85.133 million sq km
Coastline Length 111,866 km
Ocean Volume 23.3% of the world

Read about: Indian Ocean Dipole

Atlantic Ocean Countries

Seas that make up the Atlantic Ocean and their bordering Countries are given below in the table:

Name of Sea  Bordering Countries
Argentine Sea Argentina, Uruguay, Antarctica
Baltic Sea Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland
Black Sea Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey
Gulf of Mexico US, Mexico, Cuba
Greenland Sea Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard (Norway)
Caribbean Sea Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Rep, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras Belize, Venezuela, Columbia, Panama
Hudson Bay Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Nunavut provinces of Canada
Irminger Sea Iceland, Greenland, Canada
James Bay Quebec and Ontario provinces of Canada
Labrador Sea Labrador peninsula of Canada, Greenland

Atlantic Ocean Deepest Point

The Milwaukee Depth is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, located about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Puerto Rico. It reaches a depth of 8380 m and is part of the Puerto Rico Trench, situated between the North Antillean Arc and the Puerto Rico Ridge.

Atlantic Ocean Water Circulation

  • The Atlantic Ocean is shaped by prevailing winds and nearby land.
  • Ocean currents circulate water in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • It is the second-largest ocean, covering about one-fifth of Earth’s surface.
  • Atlantic currents significantly affect the climates of North-Western Europe and North-Western Africa.
  • These currents also support rich fishing grounds in the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, Canada.

Read More: Ocean Waves

Atlantic Ocean Currents

Ocean currents are the steady flow of water in a certain direction. Several things influence these currents:

  • Heating by the Sun: When the sun warms the water, it expands.
  • Wind: Wind blowing over the ocean surface helps push the water.
  • Gravity: Gravity pulls water in, causing differences in pressure.
  • Coriolis Effect: In the Southern Hemisphere, water moves to the left, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it moves to the right.

All these factors affect the ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean.

Read More: Ocean Tides

Equatorial Atlantic Ocean Currents

The Easterly Trade Winds in the area push two currents from east to west. These are called the North Equatorial Current and the South Equatorial Current, and they start near the west coast of Africa. Between these two currents, there is an eastward-flowing current called the Equatorial Counter-Current. All three of these currents are warm because they are close to the equator. Here are the three currents in the equatorial region:

1. North Equatorial Current

 Normally, this equatorial current forms between the equator and 10° N latitude. This current is created when cold water rises up off the west coast of Africa. It flows from east to west but changes direction to the north when it reaches the mid-Atlantic Ridge near 15°N latitude, and then it turns south. Along the east coast of Brazil, the land splits the current into two parts: the Antilles Current and the Caribbean Current.

2. South Atlantic Equatorial Current

This warm current moves from the west coast of Africa to the east coast of South America, between the equator and 20° S latitude. When it reaches Brazil’s east coast, it splits into two parts: one goes north to join the north equatorial current near Trinidad, and the other goes south along South America’s east coast.

3. Counter-Equatorial Current

The counter-equatorial current flows westward between the strong equatorial currents to the north and south. The eastward drift, known as the Guinea Stream, is stronger. It has a higher temperature and lower density than the other two equatorial currents.

Read More: Ocean Currents

North Atlantic Ocean Currents

The trade winds in the North Atlantic play an important role in maintaining consistent east-west currents. The following are the major ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere’s Atlantic Ocean:

1. Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream is a system of several currents that originates in the Mexican Gulf around 20° N latitude. It continues north-eastward along the eastern coast of North America until it reaches the western coasts of Europe around 70° N latitude. The current system consists of the following components:

  • The Florida Current flows from the Florida Strait to Cape Hatteras.
  • The Gulf Stream begins at Cape Hatteras and travels to Grand Bank.
  • The North Atlantic Drift moves from Grand Bank to the Western European coast.

2. Canaries Current

This current brings cold water from the polar regions. It continues from the North Atlantic Drift and flows south along the Canary Islands’ coast after turning near Spain. It cools the warm Western African coast between Madeira and Cape Verde, moving at an average speed of 8 to 30 nautical miles per day.

3. Labrador Current

The Labrador Current is a cold current that flows along the coasts of Newfoundland and the Grand Banks, coming from Baffin Bay and Davis Strait near Greenland. It carries large icebergs, making navigation tricky. Near Newfoundland, it meets the warm Gulf Stream around 50°W longitude, creating dense fog.

Read More: Ocean Deposits

South Atlantic Ocean Currents

The South Atlantic Ocean flows in a pattern similar to the North Atlantic Ocean, but in the opposite direction. The Southern Hemisphere is home to four major ocean currents. These are discussed further below:

1. Falkland Current

The Falkland Current carries cold water from the Antarctic Sea. It flows from the south to the north along the east coast of South America, reaching Argentina. It is strongest around 30°S latitude and can bring icebergs from Antarctica to the South American coast.

2. Brazilian Current

This warm current forms when the South Equatorial Current splits at Cape Sao Roque in Northeast Brazil. It flows south along the east coast of South America to about 40°S latitude. Then, the Westerlies and the Earth’s rotation push it eastward. Here, it meets the cold Falkland Current coming from the south.

3. South Atlantic Drift

The South Atlantic Drift, also called the Westerlies Drift, continues the Brazil Current eastward. The Westerlies push the Brazil Current to the east as it moves south, which is why it’s called the Westerlies Drift. This cold current is also known as the Antarctic Drift.

4. Benguela Current

When the South Atlantic Drift splits at the southern tip of Africa, one branch flows down the west coast of South Africa. This branch is called the cold Benguela Current. It eventually joins with the South Equatorial Current, completing the ocean current circuit.

Atlantic Ocean UPSC

The ten major Atlantic Ocean currents have been discussed in this article. Their origin, the factors that influence their movements, and the paths they take have all been identified. In addition to this topic, it is critical to study the Pacific and Indian Ocean currents to gain a comprehensive understanding of how they operate and the impact they have on climate systems.

Other Indian Geography Topics

Seasons of India Mountains of India
Mangrove Forests in India Important Mountain Passes in India
Monsoon in India
Indus River System
Climate of India
Rivers of India
Tributaries of Ganga
National Parks in India
Important Dams in India
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
Tiger Reserves in India
Northern Plains of India
Physiography of India
Important Lakes of India
Wetlands in India
Biodiversity in India
Natural Vegetation in India Earthquakes in India
Types of Soil in India
Ramsar Sites in India
Brahmaputra River System
Hydropower Plants in India
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Major Ports in India
Biosphere Reserves in India
Waterfalls in India

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

Solar System Types of Clouds
Structure of the Atmosphere Himalayan Ranges
Component of Environment
El Nino and La Nina
Coral Reef
Continental Drift Theory
Endogenic and Exogenic Forces
Indian Ocean Region
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean Dipole
Air Pollution
Environmental Impact Assessment
Tropical Cyclone
Western Disturbances
Types of Rocks

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FAQs

What separates the north and South Atlantic ocean?

The Equatorial Counter Current divides the Atlantic Ocean into two parts, with the North(ern) Atlantic Ocean and the South(ern) Atlantic Ocean splitting at about 8°N.

Where is the Atlantic ocean north or south?

The Atlantic Ocean connects North and South America to Europe and Africa to the west. The Atlantic Ocean connects to the Arctic Ocean in the north and the Southern Ocean in the south.

Is the north Atlantic Ocean the same as the Atlantic ocean?

The Atlantic Ocean is split into two basins: the North and South Atlantic. The North Atlantic is the larger of the two basins, covering 41,490,000 square kilometres (16,020,000 square miles).

What Four countries touch the Atlantic ocean?

The European (North East) Atlantic is bordered by four Member States (Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal), and it covers a large area with a diverse range of ecosystems.

What is the Atlantic Ocean also known as?

The Atlantic Ocean is also referred to as the Herring Pond. The Atlantic Ocean is the primary habitat of Herring fish, which are abundant there. As a result, it is known as the herring pond. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle. The Persian Gulf island of Bahrein is known as the Isle of Pearls.

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