Norwegian Sea
The Norwegian Sea is a marginal sea, associated with either the Atlantic Ocean or the Arctic Ocean, positioned northwest of Norway. It lies between the North Sea to its south and the Greenland Sea to its northwest, while adjoining the Barents Sea to the northeast. The sea is bounded to the southwest by a submarine ridge that stretches between Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Geography and Oceanography
Unlike many other seas, much of the Norwegian Sea's basin is not part of a continental shelf and thus is characterized by deep waters, averaging about two kilometers in depth. The region is significantly influenced by the warm North Atlantic Current, which ensures relatively stable and elevated water temperatures, unlike the Arctic seas, keeping the Norwegian Sea ice-free throughout the year.
Natural Resources
Beneath the sea's depths lie rich deposits of oil and natural gas, which are actively explored and exploited, particularly in areas where the sea depth reaches up to about one kilometer. This exploitation plays a crucial role in the economy of Norway.
Marine Life
The Norwegian Sea's coastal zones are teeming with fish, including species like cod, which migrate from the North Atlantic Ocean or the Barents Sea into the Norwegian Sea for spawning. This biological richness supports both local and commercial fishing enterprises.
Historical Significance
Historically, the Norwegian Sea was considered the edge of the known world. The sea's mysterious nature, coupled with the frequent disappearance of ships, gave rise to numerous legends and myths, such as those surrounding the mythical kraken and maelstroms. These legends were popularized by works such as "Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus" by Olaus Magnus and were even remarked upon in the "Encyclopædia Metropolitana" by Erik Pontoppidan.