NorthSea

The North Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the United Kingdom and Norway to the north and west; by Denmark to the east; and by the coasts of the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France to the south. It connects to the Atlantic through the Channel and the Dover Strait, and to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat.

The sea covers about 570,000 square kilometers. It is relatively shallow, with an average depth around 90 meters; the seabed includes the North Sea Shelf and several deeper troughs, including the Norwegian trench along its eastern margin where depths reach several hundred meters.

The North Sea is rich in energy resources, with extensive offshore oil and natural gas production, mainly from the UK and Norwegian sectors. It supports important commercial fisheries and is a major route for European shipping. Offshore wind farms have rapidly expanded in recent years, contributing to regional energy supply.

The North Sea has long been central to European maritime trade, fishing, and military activity. Today, governance is shared among bordering states and supranational bodies; activities are regulated through international law, the OSPAR Convention for protection of the marine environment, and, for fishing, the Common Fisheries Policy and relevant national regimes.

The sea experiences temperate maritime climate with seasonal storms and relatively moderate temperatures. It has faced ecological pressures from pollution and overfishing but has seen improvements due to stricter regulation. Ongoing conservation and pollution prevention, coupled with climate change, pose ongoing challenges.