Atlantic

Atlantic commonly refers to the Atlantic Ocean, the second-largest body of ocean water on Earth. The ocean covers about 106 million square kilometers (41 million square miles), representing roughly 20% of the planet’s surface and about 26% of its water surface. It lies between the Americas to the west and Europe and Africa to the east, with the Arctic Ocean to the north and the Southern Ocean to the south. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs north–south through its center, separating divergent tectonic plates.

Historically, the Atlantic has been central to global exchange and conflict. From the era of transatlantic exploration to the development of long-distance trade, the ocean facilitated cultural contact, commerce, and migration. It has also been the stage for the transatlantic slave trade and other complex historical processes. Today, it hosts major shipping routes, fisheries, offshore energy resources, and regional governance arrangements under international law and various fisheries management organizations.

Climate and ecology are closely linked to the Atlantic’s dynamics. Warm currents such as the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift help modulate temperatures for adjacent regions and influence weather patterns. The ocean supports diverse marine life and habitats, though it faces pressures from overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Beyond the body of water, "Atlantic" can denote broader cultural and historical concepts like the Atlantic World, as well as uses in media, organizations, and place names.