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Explain the currents of the North Atlantic Ocean.

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Explain the currents flowing in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean along with a diagram.

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Atlantic Ocean is a semi-ocean is the second largest ocean in the world after the Pacific Ocean. Its shape is similar to the letter ‘S’ of the English alphabet. The equator divides this ocean into two parts. The part of this ocean parting from the equator to the north is called the North Atlantic Ocean. The expansion of the South Atlantic Ocean is found in the part south of the equator. 

The cold and warm water currents flow in the North Atlantic Ocean, whose description is as follows:

1. North Equatorial Warm Current: This warm current flows between 5 degree and 20 degree northern latitudes near the equator. This flows from the coast of Africa in the east to the western islands. This current was firstly mentioned by Findley in the year 1853. 

2. Antilles Warm Current: South Equatorial Current divides into two parts near the Cape Sao Roque of Brazil. The northern branch joins the North Equatorial Current and enters into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Its remaining part on the eastern edge of the Western Islands is known by the name of Antilles Current. 

3. Florida Current: This is actually an extension of the North Equatorial Current which enters the Gulf of Mexico through Yucatan Channel. Its features are similar to the equatorial water body.

4. North Atlantic Current: On the Gulf Stream, away from Grand Bank, the effect of the westerlies Winds is clearly visible. It turns to the east. 

5. Gulf Stream Warm Current: From the Cape Hatteras to Grand Bank, this current is called Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream receives a considerable amount of hot water in the Gulf of Mexico which it carries to the cold regions. 

6. Canary Current: This is the cold water current. It flows between western coast Madeira of North Africa and Cape Verde Islands. The warm water of Gulf Stream changes into cold current on reaching here. This current, eventually, merges into the North Equatorial Current. The seasonal changes occur in this current. 

7. Labrador Cold Current: This is the cold current flowing in the North Atlantic Ocean which flows towards the south from the Gulf of Baffin to Davis Strait. This current works to balance the oceanic bottom. Dense fog is found around Newfoundland due to the merging of hot and cold water. This is an ideal condition for the fishery industry. 

8. Sargasso Sea: Nearly calm and sedentary water area located in the intermediate part of the North Atlantic Ocean, which is surrounded by the regular and uninterrupted flow order of the North Equatorial Current, Gulf Stream and Canary Current is called the Sargasso Sea. The thick sea grass floats on its coast. This grass is called sargassum in Portuguese language. On the name of this grass only, it is termed as Sargasso Sea.

Its area is about 11,000 sq. km.

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