Country Profile: Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean basin in the world, bordered by Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Southern Ocean. Its geographic location encompasses key maritime routes such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca, making it a critical hub for international trade. The ocean holds a significant ecological role, featuring a diverse array of marine life and resources, including extensive fisheries. Governed by various regional agreements, the Indian Ocean is also subject to environmental challenges, including pollution and biodiversity loss.

Geography

The Indian Ocean stretches over an area of approximately 70.56 million sq km, making it almost seven times larger than the United States. It features a coastline of 66,526 km and is characterized by a variety of oceanic and geological features including abyssal plains, mid-ocean ridges, and underwater terrain. The ocean's climatic conditions are influenced by seasonal monsoons, which can lead to tropical cyclones during certain months.

70.56 million sq km - Total area
66,526 km - Length of coastline
3,741 m - Mean depth of the ocean
19.8% - Volume of the world's oceans
264 million cu km - Total ocean volume
-7,192 m - Deepest point at Java Trench

Environment

The Indian Ocean faces several environmental issues, including marine pollution from oil spills and waste disposal. It is also threatened by the degradation of coral reefs and loss of marine biodiversity. Fisheries in the region are vital to local economies but must contend with the pressures of overfishing and habitat loss.

15.5% - Global catch contribution from Indian Ocean fisheries in 2020
12,220,000 mt - Total global catch attributed to Indian Ocean
6,590,000 mt - Catch from Eastern Indian Ocean in 2020
5,630,000 mt - Catch from Western Indian Ocean in 2020
Major species include tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Area	70.56 million sq km	Total area of the Indian Ocean
Coastline	66,526 km	Length of the coastline
Mean Depth	3,741 m	Average depth of the ocean
Ocean Volume	264 million cu km	Total volume of the ocean
Global Catch Contribution	15.5%	Percent of global catch in 2020