Indian Ocean covers 20 percent of the water on the Earth's surface. The ocean transports a heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Moreover, its fish are of significant importance to the bordering states for domestic consumption and export. Its beach sands are rich in heavy minerals and offshore deposits are vigorously exploited by the bordering nations, primarily India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. For some more interesting and fun facts about Indian Ocean, read on.
Interesting and Fun Facts About Indian Ocean
- Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean on the Earth's surface.
- The Indian Ocean is the warmest ocean in the world.
- The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas.
- Approximately 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean.
- Fishing in India Ocean is restricted to subsistence level.
- The Indian Ocean is known as 'Ratnakara' in the ancient Sanskrit literature. Ratnakara means 'the maker (creator) of jewels'.
- The lowest point in Indian Ocean is Java Trench with a depth of 7, 258 m.
- The highest point in Indian Ocean lies at 0 m.
- The ocean's volume is estimated to be 292,131,000 cubic kilometers.
- The average depth of the ocean is 3,890 meters (12,760 ft).
- The Island nations housed by the Indian Ocean are Madagascar (formerly Malagasy Republic), the world's fourth largest island; Comoros, Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
- The Ocean was dominated by the United Kingdom in early 1800s.
- After the decline of the British Empire, it was dominated by India and Australia.
