Frequently Asked Questions
You should find most of the answers to your questions in this page.
Many of the answers I give come from the book "Understanding the Indian Ocean" by T.S.S. Rao and Ray Griffiths - IOC Ocean Forum - UNESCO Publishing, which I strongly recommend.
However, would you have a specific question, please send them to me, I will try to make my best to reply to your request.
- Why is the Indian Ocean named such?
I have found no official reason for that. It seems that it was named such because early oceanography consisted of the knowledge and skill necessary to navigators and sea traders and since the latter were principally interested in the Indian Route, in order to reach India they might have given it the name of their interests.
- What is the depth of the Indian Ocean ?
The Indian Ocean's mean depth is 3800 m, between that of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Most basins show depths well below 5000m; in the east the Warton Basin exceeds 6000m depth. The Arabian Sea reaches depths below 3000m over most of its area, while depth in the Bay of Bengal decreases gradually from 4000m south of Sri Lanka to 2000m and less at 18°N. (from Tomczack and Godfrey, Regional Oceanography - An Introduction, 1994 - Pergamon)
The lowest point is : Java Trench -7,258 m
- What is the area of the indian ocean in square miles ?
It is the smallest of all oceans in the world and, including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, it is estimated to have a total area of about 73, 000, 000 km2 (28, 000, 000mi2).
- Where can I find general information about oceanography?
Visit the links page proposed by the Beaconsfield Primary School (Australia) .
You may find what you're looking for...Good Luck!Or have a look at the following links:
Encyclopedia Britannica -- Indian OceanCIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Indian Ocean
Encarta® Interactive World Atlas Online
DMA (NIMA) Pilot Chart Atlas Indian Ocean
General facts about the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean Books, Maps and Prints
- Where can I find teaching material ?
