Indian Ocean: Geography#
| Location | body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia |
|---|---|
| Geographic Coordinates | 20 00 S, 80 00 E -20.0,80.0 |
| Land boundaries | NA |
| Coastline | 66,526 km |
| Elevation Extremes | lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m highest point: sea level 0 m |
| Highest Mountains | |
| Terrain | surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge |
| Natural Hazards | occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches |
| Natural Resource | oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules |
| Land Use | NA |
| Climate | northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean |
| Irrigated Land | NA |
| Renewable Water Resources | NA |
| Environment_CurrentIssues | endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea |
| Environment - international agreements | NA |
| Large Cities | |
| Geography-note | major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait |