Fun facts about Indian Ocean
5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.
The Indian Ocean has been known by its present name since at least 1515.
Indian Ocean
Global
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 (27,240,000 sq mi) or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east.
From the “Etymology” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: United States Central Intelligence Agency · Public Domain
The Indian Ocean is the warmest ocean in the world.
Indian Ocean
Global
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 (27,240,000 sq mi) or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east.
From the “Climate” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: United States Central Intelligence Agency · Public Domain
The Indian Ocean contains the largest submarine fans of the world, the Bengal Fan and Indus Fan.
Indian Ocean
Global
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 (27,240,000 sq mi) or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east.
From the “Oceanography” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: United States Central Intelligence Agency · Public Domain
Eighty percent of the Indian Ocean is open ocean and includes nine large marine ecosystems.
Indian Ocean
Global
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 (27,240,000 sq mi) or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east.
From the “Marine life” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: United States Central Intelligence Agency · Public Domain
Of Earth's 36 biodiversity hotspots, nine are located on the margins of the Indian Ocean.
Indian Ocean
Global
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 (27,240,000 sq mi) or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east.
From the “Biodiversity” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: United States Central Intelligence Agency · Public Domain