The Atlantic Ocean is Earth´s second largest ocean, covering about one-fifth of the surface. This ocean is divided into the North and South Atlantic regions. Icebergs can be common in the north-western Atlantic from February to August. Persistent fog, as well as ship superstructure icing can also cause problems at certain times of the tear. The Atlantic Ocean is one of the busiest waterways in the world, allowing ships to cross between the eastern and western hempisheres.

What Can You Find There?

The ocean is a great natural source of petroleum and gas fields, fish, seals and whales, sand and gravel aggregates and even precious stones.

Issues of Concern in the Atlantic Ocean

- endangered sea mammals

- depleted fish stocks due to drift net fishing (the subject of international dispute)

- oil pollution in adjoining seas

- industrial waste and sweage pollution in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Mediterranean Sea.