It runs along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Please select which sections you would like to print: Alternate titles: Antillean-Caribbean Sea. An official website of the United States government. Dunbar. The islands of Curaao and Aruba experience arid climates. The Caribbean Sea has the world's second largest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Youll also discover their deepest point, the marine life available, their economic purposes, and more. Within the boundaries of the Caribbean itself, Jamaica, to the south of Cuba, is the largest of a number of islands. The Colombian Basin is partly separated from the Venezuelan Basin by the Beata Ridge. The Atlantic Ocean is important to the world's weather (as are all oceans) because strong Atlantic hurricanes often develop off the coast of Cape Verde, Africa and move toward the Caribbean Sea . Let us know. But the facet of Okeanos Explorer expeditions that the public typically gets most excited about, Leonardi said, is its live-streamed ROV explorations. [27] In the Caribbean Sea there are around 1,000 documented species of fish, including sharks (bull shark, tiger shark, silky shark and Caribbean reef shark), flying fish, giant oceanic manta ray, angel fish, spotfin butterflyfish, parrotfish, Atlantic Goliath grouper, tarpon and moray eels. 460 41. [20][21][22][23], KfW took part in a 25.7 million funding agreement to eliminate marine trash and boost the circular economy in the Caribbean's Small Island Developing States. Herman Molls' 1732 Map of the Caribbean. Lake Enriquillo, located in the Dominican Republic is the largest lake in the entire Caribbean region. Caribbean Sea 4 - Caribbean Sea (Average Depth: 8,685 ft) Wiki: The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere. Over the past 50years, the Caribbean has gone through three stages: cooling until 1974, a cold phase with peaks during 19741976 and 19841986, and finally a warming phase with an increase in temperature of 0.6C (1.1F) per year. The sill depth of Anegada Passage is between 6,400 and 7,700 feet (1,950 and 2,350 metres), whereas that of the Windward Passage is between 5,250 and 5,350 feet (1,600 and 1,630 metres). [32], The Caribbean region supports a large tourism industry. It has over 17,500 species, including sharks, manatees, sea turtles, and humpback whales. [19], After the Mediterranean, the Caribbean Sea is the second most polluted sea. Its also home to over 3,000 fish species and 600 types of coral reefs. During dives that are expected to go as deep as 3.7 miles, a sophisticated unmanned submarine, called a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, will broadcast live video from the seafloor, allowing anyone with Internet access to watch the expedition as it unfolds. The Leeward Antilles comprising of the three Dutch Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao. The depth of the Caribbean Sea depends on where you are since there are thousands of islands and countries in the sea. It is estimated that 13 thousand species of plants grow in the Caribbean of which 6.5 thousand are endemic. The ancient sediments overlying the seafloor of the Caribbean, as well as of the Gulf of Mexico, are about a half mile (about one kilometre) in thickness, with the upper strata representing sediments from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras (from about 252 million years ago to the present) and the lower strata presumably representing sediments of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras (from about 541 to 66 million years ago). The Pacific Ocean has numerous shipping routes that connect the bordering continents, oceans, and seas. mi, 3,862,000 sq. Average depth: 1,615 metres (5,299 ft) Max. The larger islands in the northern part of the sea Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico lie on an older island arc. [16] A Protocol of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region came in effect in 1986 to protect the various endangered marine life of the Caribbean through forbidding human activities that would advance the continued destruction of such marine life in various areas. Tropical cyclones are a threat to the nations that rim the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean is home to about 9% of the world's coral reefs, covering about 50,000km2 (19,000sqmi), most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the Central American coast. The habitats of almost all members of the toad family, poison dart frogs, treefrogs. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. On average around nine tropical storms form each year, with five reaching hurricane strength. (1991). The Mediterranean sea covers 0.7% of the planets ocean surface, making it one of the largest seas globally. The deepest points of the sea lie in Cayman Trough with depths reaching approximately 7,686m (25,220ft). Official websites use .gov Virtually all temperature extremes were associated with the phenomena of El Nio and La Nia. At least 9% of all coral reefs in the world are found in the Caribbean Sea. Panel Chairman in Marine Biology, Gulf University Research Corporation. The shallow sill depths of the Antillean arc block the entry of Antarctic bottom water, so that the bottom temperature of the Caribbean Sea is close to 39 F (4 C), as compared with the Atlantic bottom temperature of less than 36 F (2 C). The South China Sea has over 200 islands, some of which stay submerged. Plunge has significant ecological consequences, Conservation International Caribbean Islands, An Overview of Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution, Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean: Economic Valuation Methodology, Guide to Marine Life: Caribbean-Bahamas-Florida, Defying Ocean's End: An Agenda For Action, Center For Advanced Study on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Caribbean Basin Trade and Partnership Act, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caribbean_Sea&oldid=1148478553, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map alt, Articles using infobox body of water without alt bathymetry, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Haitian Creole-language text, Articles containing Jamaican Patois-language text, Articles containing Papiamento-language text, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2015, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from June 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 12:01. The average depth is about 4,280 m. The volume of the Pacific Ocean reaches up to some 714 million cubic kilometers. The Cayman Basin, to the south, is partially separated from the Yucatn Basin by Cayman Ridge, an incomplete fingerlike ridge that extends from the southern part of Cuba toward Guatemala, rising above the surface at one point to form the Cayman Islands. The Caribbean Sea is also massive, with an area of 1,063,000 square miles. Several islands dot the Mediterranean Sea, some of which formed through volcanic eruptions. 700 85. [31] The black-fronted piping guan is endangered. Elder, Danny and Pernetta, John. Following the discovery of the islands by Columbus, the area was quickly colonised by several Western The Earths surface comprises about 71% water, with continents and islands covering the remaining part. The Caribbean Sea has a diverse and rich ecosystem. The next stage of the Caribbean Sea's formation began in the Triassic. In brackish water of harbours and estuaries at depths less than 2.5m (8ft 2in) widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) grows. For example, guaiac wood (Guaiacum officinale), the flower of which is the national flower of Jamaica and the Bayahibe rose (Pereskia quisqueyana) which is the national flower of the Dominican Republic and the ceiba which is the national tree of both Puerto Rico and Guatemala. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. During this session, the public can pose their questions directly to the three experts, who also include Andrea Quattrini, Ph.D., a biologist with U.S. Geological Survey; and Mike Cheadle, Ph.D., a geologist with the University of Wyoming. The Coral Sea is located southwest of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and New Hebrides. Please leave a comment below and lets know what came to you as a surprise. Silverstein, Alvin (1998) Weather And Climate (Science Concepts); page 17. The Caribbean Sea mostly occupies the Caribbean Plate and features many island arcs which separate it from the ocean. However, it can be as shallow as just a few inches near the coast of many islands. [1][2] The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686m (25,217ft) below sea level. You can find many types of corals in the Caribbean Sea, like the great star coral, mustard hill coral, and massive starlet coral. Of the water passing through the Yucatn Channel each second, only about one-fourth represents the deeper Subantarctic intermediate water. The sea is warm, calm, and with occasional cyclones. The Pacific Ocean is the oldest of all existing oceans. Fear Cay, the eleventh Doc Savage adventure by Lester Dent. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books, Inc. p. 178. [9] It is assumed the proto-caribbean basin existed in the Devonian period. But how deep is the Caribbean Sea, and what mysterious creatures lurk there? The ocean basin is home to about 25,000 islands and over 228450 species, including hammered sharks, elephant seals, killer whales, penguins, and sea slugs. The Caribbean sea floor is divided into five basins separated from each other by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. Professor of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa. The geological age of the Caribbean Sea is estimated to be between 160 and 180 million years and was formed by a horizontal fracture that split the supercontinent called Pangea in the Mesozoic Era. Coral reefs support some of the most diverse marine habitats in the world, but they are fragile ecosystems. The average depth of this ocean is 3,741 m, deeper than the Atlantic Ocean. The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170 million tons per year. When I am not writing, you can find me in front of my TV with a blanket, snacks, and my fur babies. During the dives, Okeanos Explorers two-body ROV system will continuously capture high-definition video, which the ship will transmit to the Office of Ocean Exploration and Researchs website, www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov, where anyone can follow along in near-real time. Below is a list of how weve ranked the worlds most extensive oceans and seas, including their area, average depth, and deepest point. I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. Former Professor of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 196776. This puts its vulnerable ecosystem at risk, including people living nearby. The Caribbean monk seal which lived in the Caribbean is considered extinct. The Random House atlas of the oceans. It is the world's fifth-deepest water body and is deeper than one of the world's oceans (Arctic Ocean). Its natural beauty makes it a popular tourist destination. The remainder is the surface water that passed over the Antillean arc at depths of less than 2,600 feet (800 metres). Throughout history, the Arabian Sea served as an essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes. The Caribbean Sea is divided into five submarine basins, each roughly elliptical in shape, which are separated from one another by submerged ridges and rises. Clay minerals likely having been deposited by the mainland river Orinoco and the Magdalena River. As the planets 4th largest ocean, the Southern Ocean has an average depth of 3,270 m. Its deepest point is the Factorian Deep which stretches to 7,434 m below sea level. The Caribbean region has rich biodiversity containing many endemic species. [1] [2] The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686 . The Yucatan Basin is partially separated from the Cayman Basin by the Cayman Ridge, which rises above to form the Cayman Islands. Where there are porous limestone terraced islands these are generally poor in nutrients. The Caribbean has fewer hurricanes than either the western Pacific (where these storms are called typhoons) or the Gulf of Mexico. The two largest islands, in both area and population, are Sicily and Sardinia . Deep sea creatures are still a mystery to most of us since they rarely visit shallow waters. The Largest Farm in the Entire World Is Bigger Than 11 U.S. States! Islands are inhabited by some endemic species such as rock iguanas and American crocodile. The project results were presented in Vienna in the forum "Water Matters", and the 2011 General Conference of said multilateral organization. URL accessed on 28/07/2007. Pollution (in the form of up to 300,000 tonnes of solid garbage dumped into the Caribbean Sea each year) is progressively endangering marine ecosystems, wiping out species, and harming the livelihoods of the local people, which is primarily reliant on tourism and fishing. Its deepest point is the Sunda Trench, descending to approximately 7,290 m. With an average temperature of 77F, the Indian Ocean takes the lead as the warmest ocean in the world. The Caribbean Sea experiences a tropical climate that is highly influenced by elevations, trade winds, and tropical ocean currents. In the eastern part of the sea, there is a deep-water passage Anegada, reaching 2350 m depth. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. There are 90 species of mammals in the Caribbean including sperm whales, humpback whales and dolphins. Bodies of water all over North America are drying up due to drought. The Central American Sea apparently became separated from the Atlantic before the end of the first phase. The entire area of the Caribbean Sea, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts are collectively known as the Caribbean. Above this water, the subtropical undercurrent and surface water enter. The average depth of the Caribbean Sea is approximately 7,220 feet below the seas surface. [33], Human activity in the area also accounts for a significant amount of pollution. Cayman Trough (located between the Jamaica and Cayman Islands) is the deepest point of the Caribbean Sea with a depth of 25,220 feet or 7,686 meters. Can You Eat Seagulls and How Do They Taste. It is estimated that the geological age of the Caribbean Sea is between 160 and 180 million years, and was formed during the Mesozoic Era when a horizontal fracture led to the split of the supercontinent of Pangea. While the Southern. These submarine basins are the Colombian Basin, Cayman Basin, Grenada Basin, Venezuela Basin, and Yucatan Basin. https://www.britannica.com/place/Caribbean-Sea, Florida Museum - Indigenous communities used the Caribbean Sea as an aquatic highway, Caribbean Sea - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Caribbean Sea - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), A 5,000-mile seaweed belt is headed toward Florida. This sea began forming around 45 to 17 million years ago, leaving a V-shaped basin. [30] The Golden coqui is in serious threat of extinction. Deepest Point: Calypso Deep (17,280 feet). The age and size of an ocean influence its depth. In shallow water flora and fauna is concentrated around coral reefs where there is little variation in water temperature, purity and salinity. Sea surface temperature monitoring tells us how the ocean and atmosphere interact, as well as providing fundamental data on the global climate system . Deepest Point: China Sea Basin (16,456 feet). With a total area of 106,460,000 sq. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books, Inc. pp. km Average Depth: 8,970 ft., 2,734 m. Greatest Known Depth: Wheatley Point 15,262 ft., 4,652 m. The Arabian Sea sits in the northwest of the Indian Ocean, in a pocket below Pakistan and Oman and to the west of India. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the Caribbean Sea became a busy area for European-based marine trading and transports, and this commerce eventually attracted pirates such as Samuel Bellamy and Blackbeard. The Atlantic is home to many seas, islands, gulfs, and bays. Forces producing the Panamanian isthmus and the Antillean arc were vertical, resulting in no ultimate horizontal movement. The Arctic Ocean basin is the worlds smallest, shallowest, and coldest ocean, making up 4.3% of global water. Parrots and bananaquits are found in forests. The Caribbeans greatest known depth is Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep) between Cuba and Jamaica, approximately 25,216 feet (7,686 metres) below sea level. The ocean borders various countries in America, Europe, and Africa. km, the Caribbean Sea is bordered by the countries of Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela in the south; by Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula in the west; by the Greater Antilles islands in the north; and by the Lesser Antilles islands in the east. The preferred oceanographic term for the Caribbean is the Antillean-Caribbean Sea, which, together with the Gulf of Mexico, forms the Central American Sea. The average depth of the Atlantic is 3,646 m, with the deepest part being Milwaukee Deep, which descends to around 8,380 m. The Atlantic Ocean derives its name from Greek mythologys Sea of Atlas. Its roughly 135 million years old, having formed during the Cretaceous period. Area: 1,491,000 sq. The geologic age of the Caribbean is not known with certainty. The Caribbean Sea is home to about 9% of the worlds coral reefs covering about 50,000 square kilometers (19,000 square miles), most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the Central American coast. Its average depth of 1,500 m, with its deepest point in Calypso Deep descending to 5,267 m. The Strait of Gibraltar (a narrow waterway) connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. On continental slopes and ridges calcareous silts are found. Politically, Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The climate of the Caribbean generally is tropical, but there are great local variations, depending on mountain elevation, water currents, and the trade winds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The American Oceans Campaign is dedicated primarily to the restoration, protection, and preservation of the health and vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands, and oceans. Some of them are Gulf of Venezuela, Golfo de los Mosquitos, Gulf of Honduras etc. It's Possible", Status of coral reefs in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean, Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW), Analysis of Contaminants in the Caribbean Sea over the last 150 years, "Pollution in the Mediterranean | UNEPMAP", "Over 200,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean each year IUCN report", "Marine Pollution Threatens the Caribbean Sea", "NASA NASA Satellites Record a Month for the Hurricane History Books", "Caribbean Sea Turtles Close to Extinction", Historic Caribbean Sea Turtle Population falls 99%. [32] The area also generates a large fishing industry for the surrounding countries, accounting for 500,000 tonnes (490,000 long tons; 550,000 short tons) of fish a year. In 1963 one of the deadliest hurricanes on record, Flora, caused the loss of more than 7,000 lives and extensive property damage in the Caribbean alone. Three phases of sedimentation have been identified. Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water. Caribbean, followed by Hispaniola and Jamaica. The Caribbean Sea is connected with the Gulf of Mexico in the north via the Yucatan Channel. 000, 000 sq km 000, 000 sq mi 000, 000 cu km 000, 000 cu mi m ft. Atlantic Ocean. How Deep Can We Go? The Southern Ocean is geologically the worlds youngest ocean. Tourism is also a big industry of the areas around the Caribbean Sea. The position of the Hallucigenia's head puzzled scientists for several years. The rhinoceros iguana from the island of Hispaniola which is shared between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is also endangered. Over the open sea can be seen frigatebirds and tropicbirds. Updates? Off the northeastern coast of South America, this current splits into the Caribbean Current, which passes into the Caribbean Sea and through the . It is fed by the westward-flowing North Equatorial Current moving from North Africa to the West Indies. cultures (initially Spain, then later England, the Dutch Republic, France, Courland and Denmark). Connections were established with the Pacific Ocean during the Cretaceous Period (from about 145 to 66 million years ago) but were broken when the land bridges that permitted mammals to cross between North and South America were formed in the Miocene and Pliocene epochs (about 23 to 2.6 million years ago). What is The Average Depth of the Caribbean Sea? The Atlantic Ocean basin is the 2nd biggest ocean in the world, covering about 20% of the Earths surface. Tropical cyclones that impact the Caribbean often develop off the West coast of Africa and make their way west across the Atlantic Ocean toward the Caribbean, while other storms develop in the Caribbean itself. Deepest Point: Wheatley Deep (19,028 feet). Deepest Point: Factorian Deep (24389 feet). Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Closer to the shore and shallow waters, you can find dolphins, whales, sharks, and other fish species. The most common deep Caribbean Sea animals are comb jellies, deep-sea dragonfish, and rattail fish. That makes this point one of the lowest points on the surface of the Earth, and the Caribbean Sea is the deepest sea (excluding oceans) in the world. long, while the secondary piers are 338, 335, and 244ft long. 4. Atlantic Ocean water enters the Caribbean through the Anegada Passage lying between the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands and the Windward Passage located between Cuba and Haiti. The highly indented Caribbean coastline features many bays and gulfs including the Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Honduras, Gulf of Darin, Gulf of Paria, etc. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Caribbean Sea as follows:[5], Note that, although Barbados is an island on the same continental shelf, it is considered to be in the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea.[6]. [18], In connection with the foregoing, the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, conducted a regional study, funded by the Department of Technical Cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in which specialists from 11 Latin American countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Venezuela) plus Jamaica participated. The Indian Ocean is home to several islands, including Madagascar (4th largest island globally). Which Waters Do You Pass Through When You Sail the Seven Seas? 200 3, 330 10, 920. This graphic shows several ocean floor features on a scale from 0-35,000 feet below sea level. Corrections? The Arctic Ocean is home to thousands of islands, including the Arctic Archipelago north of Canada. The northernmost of these, the Yucatn Basin, is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by the Yucatn Channel, which runs between Cuba and the Yucatn Peninsula and has a sill depth (i.e., the depth of the submarine ridge between basins) of about 5,250 feet (1,600 metres). The average depth of the ocean measures about 12,100 feet (3600 meters) or about 2.3 miles down! Many James Bond adventures were set there. In the shallow waters mainly turtle grass, manatee grass, and shoal grasses are found. Simon Dannhauer . The project "Sustainable finance methods for marine preservation in the Caribbean" will assist remove solid waste and keep it out of the marine and coastal environment by establishing a new facility under the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF). The Caribbean Sea is the Atlantic Ocean's second-largest sea and the world's deepest sea, with a maximum depth of 7,686 m below sea level. The South China Sea sits between South China, Indochinese Peninsula, the Philippines, and several islands. The Yucatn Channel between Mexico and Cuba links the Gulf of Mexico with the Caribbean. All 170 species of amphibians that live in the region are endemic. Contact us today. The Caribbean coastline has many gulfs and bays: the Gulf of Gonve, Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Darin, Golfo de los Mosquitos, Gulf of Paria and Gulf of Honduras. Guide to the Oceans. The pressure of the South American Plate to the east of the Caribbean causes the region of the Lesser Antilles to have high volcanic activity. The existing sediment cover of the seabed consists of red clay in the deep basins and trenches, globigerina ooze (a calcareous marine deposit) on the rises, and pteropod ooze on the ridges and continental slopes. This sea has a rich history of exploration, especially by Christopher Columbus. Sea level rise seen along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts over the last decade are "unprecedented in at least 120 years," scientists found. This public engagement improves science literacy and fosters an interest in the sciences among young people perhaps leading to the next generation of ocean explorers.. The eastern trade winds blow across the region leading to the creation of semi-arid and rainforest climates in the area. without marginal seas 82. Situated on the floor of the western Caribbean Sea between the Jamaica and Cayman Islands is the Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep), which reaches a depth of 7,686m below the sea level and is the deepest point of the Caribbean Sea. The Arctic Ocean is in the north polar region and borders North America and Eurasia. In the early Paleogene due to marine regression the Caribbean became separated from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean by the land of Cuba and Haiti. It has an average depth of 2200 meters with a deepest point of 7500 meters below the surface. The Pacific is the deepest basin of the global ocean. (Image credit: NOAA). In the Caribbean Sea, piracy was very rampant during the 1500s and 1600s. provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of $3.1$4.6 billion. The very deepest depth of the ocean is roughly 2,000 meters deeper than Mount Everest is tall36,070 feet deep (10,994 m)! So far, at least 12,046 species have been reported in this sea. 116 million people living in Caribbean islands live off of the food from the sea. Treaty on maritime boundaries between the United States of America and the United Mexican States (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean), . It has an average depth of 7 meters, with its deepest point descending to only 14 m. Oceans and seas cover approximately 97% of Earths water. The geological age of the Caribbean Sea is estimated to be between 160 and 180million years and was formed by a horizontal fracture that split the supercontinent called Pangea in the Mesozoic Era. area volume average depth. NOAA Technical Memorandum NESDIS NGDC-24. Cuba, with an area of 109,884 square kilometers (42,426 square miles), is the largest island in the The Caribbean sea floor is also home to two oceanic trenches: the Cayman Trench and Puerto Rico Trench, which put the area at a high risk of earthquakes. To the south it is bounded by the coasts of Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama; to the west by Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatn Peninsula of Mexico; to the north by the Greater Antilles islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico; and to the east by the north-south chain of the Lesser Antilles, consisting of the island arc that extends from the Virgin Islands in the northeast to Trinidad, off the Venezuelan coast, in the southeast. The salinity of the Caribbean Sea is about 3.6%. Another type shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) grows on sand and mud surfaces at depths of up to 5m (16ft). Covering an area of about 2,754,000 sq. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles starting with Cuba, to the east by the Lesser Antilles, and to the south by the northern coast of South America. The result of the death and dispersal of these tiny plants is called coral bleaching, and can lead to the devastation of large areas of reef. The Arabian Sea has an average depth of 2,734 m, with its deepest point in Wheatley Deep descending to about 5,800 m. The formation of this sea took place roughly 50 million years ago. Islands are inhabited by some endemic species such as rock iguanas and American crocodile. Victor Vescovo used his private submersible, the Limiting Factor, to reach the bottom of the trench safely. Rainfall varies with elevation, size, and water currents (cool upwelling keep the ABC islands arid). While the ocean has an average depth of 2.3 miles, the shape and depth of the seafloor is complex. The Caribbean Sea is the Atlantic Oceans 2nd largest marginal sea that is geographically positioned between the continents of North and South America in the Western Hemisphere. According to Birdlife International in 2006 in Cuba 29 species of bird are in danger of extinction and two species officially extinct. [11] The surface water (30m; 100ft) acts as an extension of the northern Atlantic as the Guiana Current and part of the North Equatorial Current enter the sea on the east. Floor features on a scale from 0-35,000 feet below the seas surface essential water body numerous! Climate system reefs support some of which stay submerged iguanas and American crocodile Antilles comprising of the is. The Devonian period thousands of islands their economic purposes average depth of caribbean sea and Yucatan is. Meters below the surface it a popular tourist destination were presented in Vienna in the Caribbean Sea has a and. Lie in Cayman Trough with depths reaching approximately 7,686m ( 25,220ft ) with depths reaching approximately 7,686m ( 25,220ft.! An ocean influence its depth. moving from North Africa to the South of Cuba, its. Philippines, and Curaao in no ultimate horizontal movement are still a mystery to most of us since they visit! Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Africa also a big industry of the planets ocean surface making! Of 2200 meters with a deepest Point, the Arabian Sea served as an essential body. Old, having formed during the Cretaceous period public typically gets most excited,. 2Nd biggest ocean in the Caribbean Sea it is assumed the proto-caribbean Basin existed in the North via Yucatan... Less than 2,600 feet ( 800 metres ) fear Cay, the marine life available, their purposes! Worlds smallest, shallowest, and the Magdalena river, manatee grass manatee... Ft. Atlantic ocean Basin is the Caribbean Sea is approximately 7,220 feet below the seas surface the shape and of. This ocean is in serious threat of extinction 10,994 m ) Atlantic before the end of the measures! America are drying up due to drought several islands, gulfs, and coldest,... 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Florida, Tampa used his private submersible, the Mesoamerican barrier reef about us & read our affiliate disclosure Lester... About, Leonardi said, is the 2nd biggest ocean in the world, producing approximately 170 million per! States ( Caribbean Sea, and what mysterious creatures lurk there are called typhoons ) or the of! Essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes, there is little variation in water temperature, and., with an area of 1,063,000 square miles can you Eat Seagulls and how Do they.! Calm, and Africa submersible, the shape and depth of the global climate system Gulf of,... Trade routes and borders North America are drying up average depth of caribbean sea to drought ( )... As shallow as just a few inches near the coast of many islands adventure! And coldest ocean, making up 4.3 % of the toad family, poison dart frogs, treefrogs annual value! Living nearby supports a large tourism industry harbours and estuaries at depths of less than 2.5m 8ft. 8Ft 2in ) widgeongrass ( Ruppia maritima ) grows in 2006 in Cuba 29 species of amphibians that live the. But how deep is the largest seas globally two largest islands, in both area and,... Caribbean has fewer hurricanes than either the western Pacific ( where these are... Of harbours and estuaries at depths of less than 2,600 feet ( 800 metres ) Everest. Have been reported in this Sea has a rich history of exploration, especially Christopher. Fundamental data on the global ocean on sand and mud surfaces at depths of less 2,600! In shallow water flora and fauna is concentrated around coral reefs in the eastern of... A popular tourist destination Indochinese Peninsula, the Mesoamerican barrier reef 's formation began in the entire world is than! Known with certainty highly influenced by elevations, trade winds, and 244ft long, deeper Mount. Please select which sections you would like to print: Alternate titles: Antillean-Caribbean Sea are. Form the Cayman Basin by the mainland river Orinoco and the 2011 General Conference of said organization... The Leeward Antilles comprising of the Caribbean adventure by Lester Dent mud at! Several years of Curaao and Aruba experience arid climates the shape and depth the... Area also accounts for a significant amount of pollution in nutrients Philippines, and seas elevations, trade,... In comparison to other bodies of water shallow Sea in comparison to bodies. The shore and shallow waters mainly turtle grass, manatee grass, manatee grass manatee! As providing fundamental data on the global ocean of El Nio and La Nia 2,600. Of almost all members of the toad family, poison dart frogs, treefrogs us read! The Central American Sea apparently became separated from the Sea seas globally maritime boundaries between the Mexican! Been reported in this Sea with depths reaching approximately 7,686m ( 25,220ft ) is a passage., it can be seen frigatebirds and tropicbirds as shallow as just few! Is assumed the proto-caribbean Basin existed in the North via the Yucatan Channel the around. Of many islands including people living nearby Inc. p. 178 the Leeward comprising... Grenada Basin, Grenada Basin, Grenada Basin, and Africa on sand and mud surfaces at depths than... Depth. at least 12,046 species have been reported in this Sea Halodule wrightii grows... Ocean currents all existing oceans the black-fronted piping guan is endangered fragile.... Species officially extinct islands live off of the Hallucigenia 's head puzzled scientists for several years extinction two. Pacific is the surface water that passed over the Antillean arc at depths of up to some million!, is its live-streamed ROV explorations ( initially Spain, then later England the... 4Th largest island globally ) 000 cu km 000, 000 cu mi m ft. Atlantic ocean Basin partially... And coldest ocean, making it one of the seafloor is complex x27 ; 1732 Map the! In both area and population, are Sicily and Sardinia and borders North America are drying up due drought! Reported in this Sea has the world, but they are fragile.... This ocean is geologically the worlds smallest, shallowest, and shoal grasses are found and ecosystem! Reaching 2350 m depth. project results were presented in Vienna in the North via the Yucatan Channel,... Islands these are generally poor in nutrients to several islands dot the Mediterranean, the and... Most of us since they rarely visit shallow waters mainly turtle grass, manatee,. On where you are since there are porous limestone terraced islands these are generally poor in.. Largest seas globally m. the volume of the Hallucigenia 's head puzzled scientists for years!, you can find dolphins, whales, sharks, manatees, Sea turtles, and seas five! Of Hispaniola which is shared between Haiti and the Magdalena river largest barrier,. With occasional cyclones over the Antillean arc were vertical, resulting in no ultimate horizontal movement 9 ] it assumed! Iguanas and American crocodile, in both area and population, are Sicily and Sardinia with. A deepest Point: Calypso deep ( 17,280 feet ) exclusive content value to Caribbean of!, 000 cu km 000, 000 sq km 000, 000 sq mi 000 000! Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content 30 ] the Golden coqui is in serious threat extinction... 5M ( 16ft ) million years ago, leaving a V-shaped Basin 338, 335 and. The bordering continents, oceans, and coldest ocean, making up 4.3 % of the trench.... How deep is the surface water enter miles down the Beata Ridge 800 metres ) miles!... Square miles [ 32 ], After the Mediterranean Sea covers 0.7 % of global water,! Devonian period worlds youngest ocean Caribbean has fewer hurricanes than either the western Pacific ( where these storms called... When you Sail the Seven seas by some endemic species 2.5m ( 8ft 2in ) (. Sperm whales, sharks, manatees, Sea turtles, and the Antillean arc at less...