North Sea

North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located between Great Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. An epeiric (or "shelf") sea on the European continental shelf, it connects to the ocean through the English Channel in the south and the Norwegian Sea in the north. It is more than 970 kilometres (600 mi) long and 580 kilometres (360 mi) wide, with an area of around 570,000 square kilometres (220,000 sq mi).

Geography

The North Sea is bounded by the Orkney Islands and east coast of Great Britain to the west and the northern and central European mainland to the east and south, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In the southwest, beyond the Strait of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean.

History

The North Sea has long been the site of important European shipping lanes as well as a major fishery. The sea is a popular destination for recreation and tourism in bordering countries and more recently has developed into a rich source of energy resources including fossil fuels, wind, and early efforts in wave power.

Economy

The North Sea has been central to the economies of its bordering nations for centuries. Today, it is home to extensive petroleum and natural gas reserves, large fisheries, and a burgeoning renewable energy sector.

Ecology

The North Sea is home to a rich array of marine life, including numerous species of fish, birds, and marine mammals. However, it also faces numerous environmental challenges, including overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change.

See also

• Baltic Sea
• English Channel
• Norwegian Sea

North Sea Resources
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