Major Seas of the World

The oceans and seas of the world, which make up around 71% of the surface of the planet, are vital to maintaining life as we know it. The earth has several important seas in addition to the five major oceans. Seas are smaller saltwater bodies that are partially surrounded by land and have a significant role in the geology of the planet.

The world's great seas are essential for international trade and transportation, for maintaining marine life, and for regulating the climate of our planet.

List of Major Seas of the World

Major seas of the world are −

Mediterranean Sea

• With a surface area of 2.5 million km2, it is the largest inland sea in the world.

• It is situated halfway between Asia, Europe, and Africa.

• The Mediterranean Sea can be found as deep as 5,267 meters.

• Through the Strait of Gibraltar, it is connected to the Atlantic Ocean.

• The sea is renowned for its agreeable weather, diversified marine life, and extensive cultural history.

• Barcelona, Naples, Marseille, and Alexandria are a few of the important ports situated on the Mediterranean coast.

• It is the location of a number of significant islands, including Cyprus, Crete, Sicily, and Sardinia.

Caribbean Sea

• The Caribbean region includes the Caribbean Sea, which is a portion of the Atlantic Ocean.

• It extends over a region of about 2,754,000 square km.

• The Cayman Trench, which is 7,686 meters deep, is the Caribbean Sea's deepest point.

• Diverse marine life, such as coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, and dolphins, can be found in the sea.

• Several island countries, including Cuba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, around it.

South China Sea

• The South China Sea, a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, is bordered by Singapore to the south, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines to the west, and China to the north.

• It has a surface size of 3.5 million square kilometres and a depth of roughly 1,200 meters.

• Over 3,000 species of fish, many of which are economically significant, can be found in the water, which has a great biodiversity.

• Territorial conflicts over a number of tiny islands and reefs have occurred in the region between numerous nations, most notably China and the Philippines.

Bering Sea

• In between Alaska and Russia, the Bering Sea spans an area of around 2.3 million square kilometres.

• The average depth of the sea is 50 meters, making it a rather shallow body of water.

• Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer who first discovered the region in the 18th century, is honoured with the sea's name.

• Salmon, crabs, and whales are just a few of the abundant and varied species of marine life that can be found in the Bering Sea.

• With valuable commercial fish species like pollock and crab being captured there, the sea is also a significant fishing area.

Sea of Okhotsk

• The Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, the Russian Far East, and Japan's Hokkaido Island are all separated by the Sea of Okhotsk.

• It has an area of 1,583,000 square kilometres and a depth of 859 meters on average.

• High mountains encircle the sea, which in the winter is ice-covered.

• Salmon, cod, herring, sea urchins, and other marine creatures are abundant in the Sea of Okhotsk.

• Oil and gas are also abundant in the water.

• It is a significant fishing area, and both Japan and Russia have sizable fishing operations there.

• Due to its geographic location, the Sea of Okhotsk frequently encounters extreme weather, including earthquakes and tsunamis.

Arabian Sea

• The Arabian Sea is a portion of the northern Indian Ocean located between the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.

• It has an average depth of 2,850 meters and a surface area of about 3,862,000 square kilometres.

• Pakistan and Iran border the sea to the north, Oman and Yemen to the west, India and the Maldives to the east, and Yemen and Pakistan to the south.

• The Arabian Sea is a significant commerce route and a significant source of natural gas and oil.

• Additionally, a wide diversity of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and many fish species, call it home.

Sea of Japan

• The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea located in the western Pacific Ocean.

• It is bounded by Japan, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea.

• The sea has a maximum depth of 3,742 meters and a surface size of roughly 978,000 square kilometres.

• It has an abundance of marine resources and is home to several fish, crab, and shrimp species.

• Due to naming variations between neighbouring nations, the sea suffers a special phenomenon known as the "Sea of Japan/East Sea Divide."

• It is a crucial shipping route for the area and has a number of significant ports along its shore, including Vladivostok, Busan, and Niigata.

Hudson Bay

• North-eastern Canada is home to the sizable saltwater body known as Hudson Bay.

• After the Bay of Bengal, it is the second-largest bay in the world.

• The bay has an average depth of 100 meters and a surface size of around 1.2 million square km.

• The Canadian Shield, a sizable region of exposed Precambrian rocks and minerals, encircles it.

• Beluga whales, polar bears, and harbour seals are just a few of the marine mammals that depend on Hudson Bay as a habitat.

• The Inuit and Cree people, as well as other indigenous populations, reside in the bay and depend on its resources for their survival.

East China Sea

• An area of around 1,249,000 square kilometres is covered by the East China Sea, a marginal sea.

• Between Taiwan, China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, it is situated.

• With an average depth of 267 meters and a maximum depth of 2,911 meters, the sea is comparatively shallow.

• Over 1,000 different types of fish are supported by its abundant biodiversity and big number of marine creatures.

• A significant shipping route connecting China, Japan, and other nations in the region, the East China Sea is crucial for global trade as well.

Andaman Sea

• The Andaman Sea is surrounded by Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India in the north-eastern Indian Ocean.

• Approximately 797,700 square kilometres make up its surface.

• The average depth of the ocean is 870 meters, making it a rather shallow body of water.

• Numerous islands, notably the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands, are found there.

• Over 700 different species of fish, coral reefs, sea turtles, and dolphins are just a few of the various marine life that can be found in the sea.

Top 10 Major Sea of the World

The given table highlights the major sea of the world −

Major Sea	Location	Extent	Maximum Depth (m)
Mediterranean Sea	Between Europe, Asia, and Africa	2,510,000 km²	5,267
Caribbean Sea	Between Central America and the Caribbean Islands	2,754,000 km²	7,686
South China Sea	South of China, east of Vietnam, west of Philippines	3,500,000 km²	5,016
Bering Sea	North of Alaska, east of Russia	2,292,000 km²	4,040
Sea of Okhotsk	Between Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan	1,583,000 km²	3,372
Arabian Sea	North-western part of the Indian Ocean	3,862,000 km²	6,652
Sea of Japan	Between Japan, Russia, and Korea	978,000 km²	3,742
Hudson Bay	In north-eastern Canada	1,230,000 km²	300
East China Sea	Between China, Taiwan, and South Korea	1,249,000 km²	2,519
Andaman Sea	Between the Andaman Islands and Myanmar	797,700 km²	4,376

Conclusion

In terms of trade, transportation, and marine biodiversity, the world's major seas are an essential component of the topography of the planet. They support a wide range of human endeavours including fishing and tourism and are home to a wide variety of marine species.

Because every sea is different from the others in terms of depth, location, and size, it is crucial to study and comprehend them. It's crucial to keep an eye on and manage these seas' health in light of the continuous changes in the world to maintain their sustainability for coming generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which one is the largest sea in the world?

The largest sea in the world is the Philippine Sea.

Which sea is located between Asia and Australia?

The sea located between Asia and Australia is the Arafura Sea.

What is the average depth of the Mediterranean Sea?

The average depth of the Mediterranean Sea is 1,500 meters.

Which sea is known for its pink colour?

The Pink Sea in the Middle East is known for its pink colour.

Which sea has the highest salt content?

The Red Sea has the highest salt content.

What is the largest inland sea in the world?

The Caspian Sea is the largest inland sea in the world.

Which sea is located between Europe and Africa?

The Mediterranean Sea is located between Europe and Africa.

Which one is the largest sea in the Western Hemisphere?

The largest sea in the Western Hemisphere is the Caribbean Sea.

Which sea is located between Japan and the Korean Peninsula?

The Sea of Japan is located between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.