Norwegian Sea

Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian Sea (Norwegian: Norskehavet) is a marginal sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Norway. It is located between the North Sea (i.e., north of the United Kingdom) and the Greenland Sea and borders the Barents Sea to the northeast. In the southwest, it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a submarine ridge running between Iceland and the Faroe Islands. To the North, the Jan Mayen island separates it from the Greenland Sea.

Map of the Norwegian Sea

Geography and Hydrography

The Norwegian Sea is about 3,800,000 square kilometers (1,500,000 sq mi) in area and is about 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) deep. The Norwegian trench running along its length, reaching a depth of 3,000 meters (9,800 ft), contains rich resources of oil and natural gas.

Climate

The Norwegian Sea's climate is significantly influenced by the Gulf Stream, which makes it unusually warm for its latitude. This results in a relatively stable, high fish production, which makes the Norwegian Sea important for fisheries.

Marine Life

The Norwegian Sea is home to a wide variety of marine life, including several species of whale, dolphin, seal, and seabirds. It is also a significant breeding ground for cod, which has been a major factor in the economic development of Norway.

Economic Importance

The Norwegian Sea has significant economic importance. It is a major shipping route, with oil tankers and cargo ships traversing its waters. The sea also has substantial oil and gas reserves, which are a major source of income for Norway.

Environmental Concerns

There are environmental concerns related to the exploitation of the Norwegian Sea's resources, particularly the potential for oil spills and the impact of fishing on the sea's ecosystems.