The North Sea (historically also known as the German Ocean) is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is located between Norway and Denmark in the east, Scotland and England in the west, and Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in the south.
Also to the south, the North Sea connects with the rest of the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Dover into the English Channel and to the north through the Norwegian Sea.
The major rivers that drain into the North Sea include the 'Forth River' in Edinburgh, 'Ythan River' in northern Scotland, 'Elbe River' in Cuxhaven, the 'Weser River' in Bremerhaven, the 'Ems River' in Emden, the 'Rhine' and 'Meuse' in Rotterdam, the 'Scheldt in Flushing, the 'River Thames' and the Humber in Hull. The Kiel Canal, one of the world's busiest artificial waterways, connects the North Sea with the Baltic Sea.
The bed of the North Sea forms two basins. The main northern one lies to the north of a ridge between north Norfolk and Frisia. The southern basin, if not flooded, would now drain towards the Strait of Dover through to the English Channel.
There is a substantial amount of petroleum and natural gas under the seabed of the North Sea, however, as recognised by the energy policy of the United Kingdom this production is declining and must be supplanted by other sources.
There are substantial flora and fauna resources at the land margin of the North Sea. On the coast of the United Kingdom there are numerous nature reserves including the Ythan Estuary, Fowlsheugh Nature Preserve and Farne Islands. These locations provide specialised breeding habitat for Terns, Atlantic puffins, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and other seabirds.
Due to it's very strong winds, the North Sea offers great potential for offshore wind farms. A small number has been commissioned (Horns Rev and Scroby Sands for example) and several more are in the planning phase.
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A North Sea Tern on the shore. |
North Sea Sea lions. |
For more information on the North Sea, see Dogger Bank and Silver Pit
