Norwegian Sea

Where is Norwegian Sea?

Part of: Atlantic Ocean.

Countries on its coasts: Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom.

The story behind it

The Norwegian Sea lies between Norway, Iceland and the island of Jan Mayen, and in the south it reaches the Faroe and Shetland Islands. It is much deeper than the North Sea: on average about 2 000 metres, and in its deepest place about 3 970 metres. Although it lies so far north, it does not freeze, because the warm North Atlantic Current flows up along the Norwegian coast. In summer the sun does not set at night here. At spawning time, huge numbers of cod gather at the Lofoten Islands to lay their eggs, and fishing boats follow them. Herring and minke whales live in the sea too. On the dark seabed grow large reefs of cold-water coral. Between two of the Lofoten Islands swirls the Moskenstraumen, a powerful whirlpool whose water can rush at about 15 km/h. Today oil and gas are also taken from beneath the seabed.

Find it on the globe

Norwegian Sea is there as a name written across its water — tap the water and its card opens. From far away the planet is only a blue ball; detail arrives as you zoom in, and this one appears once you are close enough. Open it on the globe.