Major and Important SEAS of the World - World Geography

1. Norwegian Sea: It is a part of North Atlantic Ocean and is located to the west of Europe. The salinity of this sea is quite high due to the influence of Gulf Stream. It is a shallow sea. Therefore, it is famous for the production of fish and mineral oil. It is a major region for fishes, like- Cod, Mackarel, Tuna etc. 

2. Beaufort Sea: Lying to the north of Alaska and Canada, it is a part of Arctic Ocean. It is ice capped nearly throughout the year. This sea has high reserves of petroleum. River Mackenzie forms its mouth in this sea. Rich in Cod, Haring fish and other marine resources. 

3. White Sea: Located to the north of Russia, it is a part of Arctic Ocean. The sea, however, remains frozen over greater part of the year. Therefore, it is called White Sea. It is famous for the production of Seal fish. It is connected to Moscow via canal. The N. Dvina and Onega River discharge their water in this sea. Arkhangelsk is its main seaport. 

4. Sargasso Sea: It is lying in North Atlantic Ocean between the Azores and the west Indies around 35 degree latitude. ‘Sargassam’ named long rooted grass is found here, which hinders navigation. The water here does not get motion. Therefore, its salinity is high. Maximum salinity (37%) of Atlantic Ocean is found in Sargasso Sea. Its average annual temperature is 26 degree centigrade. It is the breeding place of Eels. 

5. Baltic Sea: Lying in north part of Europe, it is a partially enclosed sea which is part of Atlantic Ocean. Its salinity is very low because many rivers drains here. The Kiel Canal having great commercial significance connects it to North Sea. Some of the important seaports of Europe, like-Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallin, Riga and Rostak, lies along its coast. 

6. Red Sea: Lying between Asia and Africa, it is part of Indian Ocean. It is separated Asia and Africa whereas the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb connects it to Indian Ocean. World famous Suez Canal connects it to Mediterranean Sea. Its main sea ports are Suez, Aqabah, Sharm-ul-Shekh, Jeddah, Mocha, Mossawa and Port Sudan. From the Shipping point of view, it is one of the busiest seas in the world. 

7. Arafura Sea: Lying to the north of Australia, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. This sea has high reserves of Bauxite and Manganese. Torres Strait connects it to Coral Sea. It is famous for pearl production. 

8. Caribbean Sea: Lying between South America and Cuba, it is a part of Atlantic Ocean. This sea has high salinity. Tropical cyclones called ‘Hurricane’ originate in this sea. It was famous for the pirates. It is a major commercial waterway for Latin American countries. It is characterized by a large number of coral formations. 

9. Banda Sea: This sea lies to the eastern part of Indonesia between the south and the central Molucca Islands. The surface temperature of the sea is about 25 degree Centigrade. 

10. Laptev Sea: Lying to the north of Russia, it is part of Arctic Ocean. It is ice capped nearly throughout the year. There are high possibilities of finding mineral oil and natural gas from here. It is rich in marine life especially in fisheries and Whales. 

11. Kara Sea: Lying to the north of Russia, it is part of Arctic Ocean. It is ice capped nearly throughout the year. ‘Novaya Zemlya’ Island is located in this sea, where Russia dumps its nuclear waste. Recently Mineral, oil and natural gas has been discovered from here. It is rich in marine life especially Whales, Seals, and Cods. The salinity of its waters is low (31%). 

12. Barent Sea: Lying to the north of Russia and Norway, it is part of Arctic Ocean. The effect of Gulf Stream can be easily seen here. This sea is famous for Cod and Haddock fishes. Russia’s famous ‘Murmansk’ port is located along its coast. 

13. Mediterranean Sea: It is a remnant of Tethys Sea, which lies between Europe and Africa. The Gibraltar Strait connects it to Atlantic Ocean. Nile and Rhone Rivers form their mouth in this sea. Stramboli Volcano lies in its middle. Its salinity is comparatively very high. The coastal regions of the countries and the islands have the Typical Mediterranean type of climate. 

14. Black Sea: Lying in the middle of Eurasia, it is a partially enclosed sea. Despite being lying on middle latitudes, salinity is very low, because Europe’s 4 big river, like-Dneipper, Danube, Dneister and Don fall into it. It is a remnant of Tethys Sea. It is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosporus Strait and the Sea of Marmara. 

15. Caspian Sea: Surrounded by Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, it is world’s largest salt water lake. Ural and Volga rivers fall into it. Its southern part has huge reserves of mineral oil and natural gas. Baku is a famous city along its coast where there are many oil refineries. A number of important cities, like-Baku, Sumgait, Astrakhan and Babol are located along its coast. 

16. Okhotsk Sea: Lying to the east of Russia, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. The continental shelf here is very broad. Possibilities of mineral oil and natural gas in this sea are being claimed. It is ice capped in winter. It is an ideal fishing ground of the Russian. 

17. Japan Sea: Lying between Japan and East Asia, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. It is rich in petroleum and natural gas. This sea is famous for fishing. 

18. South China Sea: Lying to the east of Asia, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. It is world’s largest sea. This sea is a originating region of tropical cyclones called ‘Typhoon’. It is rich in mineral oil and natural gas. 

19. Aegean Sea: Lying between Greece and Italy, it is apart of Mediterranean Sea during the period of Greeks and Romans, it was an important centre of human interaction and navigation. 

20. Bering Sea: Lying between Alaska and Siberia, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. It is linked with Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait and the Chukchi Sea. 

21. Java Sea: It is lying to north of Java Island in Pacific Ocean. This sea is rich in petroleum and natural gas. Indonesia exploits its resources. Sunda Strait connects it to Indian Ocean.

22. Timor Sea: Lying to the north-west of Australia, it is a part of Indian Ocean. It is famous for Coral deposits. It is rich in mineral oil and natural gas. 

23. Coral Sea: Lying to the north-east of Australia, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. World’s largest coral reef ‘Great Barrier Reef’ is located in this sea. This sea is rich in coral deposits. A large number of coral reefs creates serious problem for the navigation of the merchant ships. 

24. Yellow Sea: Lying between China and Korea, it is a part of Pacific Ocean. China’s famous River Hwang Ho forms its mouth in this sea, which brings large amount of yellow silt. Therefore, its water is yellow. China’s largest port town Tianjin is located along its coast. 

25. Sea of Azov: It is a part of Black Sea. It is rich in petroleum and natural gas. 

26. Aral Sea: It is lying between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It is remnant of Tethys Sea. The size of this sea is reducing rapidly because the waters of Amu and Syr Dariya, the river draining into it, have been turned in other directions. This sea has high salinity. 

27. Labrador Sea: Lying between Greenland and Canada, it is a sea with low salinity. The cold Labrador Current flowing into it brings big icebergs along with it. It is ice capped in winter. 

28. Adriatic Sea: Lying between Italy and Balkan Peninsula, it is a part of Mediterranean Sea. ‘Otranto Strait’ connects it to lonian Sea. The Po and Adige River discharge their water in this sea. It is rich in marine life. Italy’s famous cultural city ‘Venice’ is located along its coast. Due to the influence of ‘Bora’ winds in winter, the navigation becomes difficult.

29. North Sea: A part of North Atlantic Ocean which is surrounded by Europe and British Islands. Wide and large continental shelfs is found here. It has unmeasureable reserves of oil and natural gas. Recently, Britain has discovered a very big reserves of natural gas. It is also important from fishing point of view, like-Dogger Bank. Important seaports of Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Norway are located along its coasts. 

30. Ionian Sea: Lying to the south of Italy and west of Greece, it is a part of Mediterranean Sea. Its salinity is very high (36%). 

31. Chukchi Sea: Lying to the north of the Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea is a part of Arctic Ocean. It is rich in fauna, especially in Cod fish. The Chukchi tribe living along its coast in the fish hunting stage. 

32. Weddal sea: This is a part of Antarctic Ocean lying adjacent to the Antarctica and the east of the Antarctic Peninsula. This sea is rich in fisheries and marine life.