Arctic Ocean Borders
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world’s five oceans, but it is still an important body of water that plays a crucial role in the Earth’s climate system. The Arctic Ocean borders several landmasses, including three continents. These bordering continents are North America, Europe, and Asia. In this article, we will explore on which three continents the Arctic Ocean shares a border.
Arctic Ocean: Overview
The Arctic Ocean is located in the northern part of the world, surrounding the North Pole. It covers an area of about 14.05 million square kilometers, and its average depth is around 1,038 meters. The Arctic Ocean is primarily covered with sea ice, which helps regulate the Earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight back into space. The Arctic Ocean’s water is also an important source of food and natural resources, such as oil and gas.
Bordering Continents: Overview
The Arctic Ocean shares a border with three continents: North America, Europe, and Asia. These continents are connected by the Bering Strait, which separates Asia from North America. The Arctic Ocean’s borders are defined by the surrounding land masses, and they are influenced by the ocean’s currents, tides, and sea ice. Let’s explore each of these bordering continents in more detail.
North America: Arctic Ocean Border
The Arctic Ocean’s border with North America is defined by the continent’s northern coastline, which spans from Alaska in the west to the eastern coast of Greenland in the east. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago, which is a group of islands in the Arctic Ocean, also forms part of the Arctic Ocean’s border with North America. The Arctic Ocean’s border with North America is influenced by the Beaufort Gyre, which is a clockwise ocean current that circulates along the coast of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland.
Europe: Arctic Ocean Border
Europe’s Arctic Ocean border is defined by the northern coastlines of Norway and Russia. The Russian coastline is the longest of any country bordering the Arctic Ocean, spanning over 16,000 kilometers. The Arctic Ocean’s border with Europe is influenced by several ocean currents, including the Norwegian Current, which flows along the coast of Norway, and the East Greenland Current, which flows from the Arctic Ocean southwards along Greenland’s east coast.
Asia: Arctic Ocean Border
Asia’s Arctic Ocean border is defined by the northern coastline of Russia, which stretches from the Bering Strait in the east to the Kara Sea in the west. The Arctic Ocean’s border with Asia is influenced by the Transpolar Drift, which is a major ocean current that flows from Russia’s northern coast across the Arctic Ocean towards Greenland.
Details of Arctic Ocean Border with North America
The Arctic Ocean’s border with North America is defined by a series of islands, peninsulas, and inlets. The most important of these features are Alaska, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Baffin Island, and Greenland. The Arctic Ocean’s border with North America is also influenced by several ocean currents, including the Beaufort Gyre, the Labrador Current, and the Gulf Stream.
Details of Arctic Ocean Border with Europe
Europe’s Arctic Ocean border is defined by the northern coastlines of Norway and Russia, which are separated by the Barents Sea. The Arctic Ocean’s border with Europe is influenced by several ocean currents, including the North Atlantic Current, the Norwegian Current, and the East Greenland Current. The Arctic Ocean’s border with Europe is also home to several important ports and shipping routes, including the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage.
Details of Arctic Ocean Border with Asia
Asia’s Arctic Ocean border is defined by the northern coastline of Russia, which spans over 16,000 kilometers. The Arctic Ocean’s border with Asia is influenced by several ocean currents, including the Transpolar Drift, the East Siberian Sea Current, and the Laptev Sea Current. The Arctic Ocean’s border with Asia is also home to several important ports and shipping routes, including the Northern Sea Route and the Northeast Passage.
Political and Strategic Significance
The Arctic Ocean’s borders are of great political and strategic significance. The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, and several countries have overlapping claims to these resources. The Arctic Ocean’s borders are also important for shipping and transportation, as they offer shorter routes between Asia, Europe, and North America. The Arctic Ocean’s borders are therefore the subject of ongoing disputes and negotiations between the countries bordering the region.
Conclusion: Arctic Ocean Borders
In conclusion, the Arctic Ocean shares a border with three continents: North America, Europe, and Asia. The Arctic Ocean’s borders are defined by the surrounding land masses and influenced by ocean currents, tides, and sea ice. The region’s borders are of great political and strategic significance, as they are home to valuable natural resources and important shipping routes. The Arctic Ocean’s borders are therefore the subject of ongoing disputes and negotiations between the countries bordering the region.
References and Further Reading
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National Snow and Ice Data Center. "Arctic Ocean." Accessed September 1, 2021. https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/arctic-meteorology/arctic-ocean.
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Arctic Council. "The Arctic Ocean." Accessed September 1, 2021. .
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United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. "Part VI: Continental Shelf." Accessed September 1, 2021. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf.
