The vast majority of seas are located at the edges of oceans, adjacent to land, but the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic is known as the “sea within an ocean”. It is bordered on the west by a wide expanse of water from North America, while the other three sides are also vast stretches of water. Therefore, it is the only sea in the world without a coast, and consequently, there are no distinct boundaries.
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Sargasso Sea (Photo: cccturtle) |
The Sargasso Sea is located between 20-35o North latitude and 30-75o West longitude, covering an area of several million square kilometers. It is formed by the enclosing currents of the warm Gulf Stream, the North Equatorial Current, and the cold Canary Current.
The surface of the Sargasso Sea is filled with rootless green algae known as sargassum, resembling a lush green field that stretches endlessly. Additionally, this region is known for its calm waters. Before the advent of steamships, vessels relied on the winds for navigation. Today, if a boat finds itself in this area, it will be without wind to provide propulsion, often leading to being stranded, which is why it is referred to as the “Devil’s Sea.” On August 3, 1492, Columbus allowed his fleet to drift into the Sargasso Sea, and it took three weeks to escape.
The Sargasso Sea is far from river mouths, resulting in a scarcity of planktonic organisms, and its waters are remarkably clear, allowing visibility up to 66.5 meters deep; in some areas, visibility can reach 72 meters. Thus, the Sargasso Sea is also considered the clearest sea in the world.
This region is home to several unique fish species, such as flying fish, swordfish, seahorses, and sargasso fish, which primarily feed on sargassum. These fish are excellent at camouflage, changing colors to blend in with the algae. The most peculiar is the sargasso fish: its body color closely resembles sargassum, and its eyes can also change color. When faced with a predator, it can swallow a large amount of seawater, inflating its body to deter attackers.
Sargasso Fish (Photo: spadre)
