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The Indian Ocean is often described as ‘S’-shaped when viewed on a map or globe. This distinctive shape results from the ocean’s position between the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the southern polar region. The narrowing and widening of the ocean at different latitudes give it an ‘S’-like curvature.
Why is the Indian Ocean ‘S’-shaped?
The Indian Ocean appears ‘S’-shaped due to the following geographic features:
- Widening in the Southern Hemisphere near Australia and Madagascar.
- Narrowing near the equator and northern parts between the Arabian Peninsula and the Bay of Bengal.
- Its curve follows the natural alignment of landmasses around it, giving it the visual resemblance of an “S”.
Table: Key Features of the Indian Ocean
| Feature | Details |
| Shape | S-shaped |
| Area | Approx. 70.56 million sq. km |
| Location | Between Africa (west), Asia (north), Australia (east), Antarctica (south) |
| Deepest Point | Java Trench (approx. 7,258 meters deep) |
| Notable Marginal Seas | Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea |
| Major Countries Along Coast | India, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Somalia |
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