Índico

Índico, in reference to the Indian Ocean, is the third-largest of the world's oceans, covering about 70.56 million square kilometers and reaching depths of several thousand meters. It is bounded by Africa to the west, the coasts of southern Asia and the Arabian Peninsula to the north, the Indonesian archipelago and Australia to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south. The ocean's marginal seas include the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, which play key roles in regional climate and biodiversity.

The Indian Ocean is notable for its intense monsoonal winds, which reverse seasonally and drive seasonal currents that influence rainfall patterns in South Asia and East Africa. Oceanography features such as the Agulhas Current along Africa's southeast coast and the seasonal reversing monsoon-driven current system shape its circulation. The Indian Ocean hosts diverse marine life and important habitats including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and upwelling zones that support fisheries for many countries.

Economically, the Indian Ocean is central to global shipping and energy trade, providing routes for petroleum from the Middle East to Asia and Europe. It is also the site of ongoing geopolitical activity and regional cooperation through frameworks such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Environmental concerns include overfishing, coastal degradation, warming temperatures, and plastic pollution. The term Índico derives from Latin Indicus, meaning Indian.