Sea of Okhotsk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sea of Okhotsk |
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Map of the Sea of Okhotsk
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| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 55°N 150°E / 55°N 150°E |
| Type | Sea |
| Basin countries | Russia, Japan |
| Surface area | 1,583,000 km2 (611,200 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 859 m (2,818 ft) |
| Max. depth | 3,372 m (11,063 ft) |
The Sea of Okhotsk is a large body of water in the western Pacific Ocean. It is a marginal sea, which means it is partly enclosed by islands or land. This sea is located between the Kamchatka Peninsula to the east and the Kuril Islands to the southeast. To the south, you'll find the Japanese island of Hokkaidō. Along its western side are the island of Sakhalin and a long part of eastern Siberia in Russia. The city of Okhotsk, the first Russian town in the Russian Far East, gave the sea its name.
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Exploring the Sea of Okhotsk
The Sea of Okhotsk is quite large, covering about 1,583,000 square kilometers (611,000 square miles). Its average depth is around 859 meters (2,818 feet). The deepest part of the sea goes down to 3,372 meters (11,063 feet).
How is the Sea of Okhotsk Connected to Other Waters?
This sea connects to the Sea of Japan in two places: through the Sakhalin Gulf and the Strait of Tartary. In the south, it connects through the La Pérouse Strait.
Winter in the Sea of Okhotsk
During the winter months, the Sea of Okhotsk becomes very cold. Large pieces of ice, called ice floes, form on its surface. This makes it very hard, and sometimes impossible, for ships to travel across the sea.
Who Owns the Sea of Okhotsk?
Most of the land surrounding the Sea of Okhotsk belongs to Russia. The only exception is the island of Hokkaidō, which is part of Japan. Because it is mostly surrounded by Russian land, people often say the Sea of Okhotsk is part of Russia.
Islands of the Sea of Okhotsk
The Sea of Okhotsk has several islands, and some of them are very big!
Iony Island: A Special Place
Iony Island is unique because it is the only island in the open waters of the Sea of Okhotsk. It belongs to the Khabarovsk Krai region of Russia. Most of the islands in this sea do not have people living on them. This makes them perfect places for many animals to live and raise their young. You can find seals, sea lions, and many different kinds of seabirds on these islands.
Important Seaports on the Sea of Okhotsk
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Several important cities and towns are located along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. These places often have ports where ships can dock.
- Abashiri, Hokkaidō, Japan
- Magadan, Magadan, Russia
- Monbetsu, Hokkaidō, Japan
- Palana, Kamchatka, Russia
- Wakkanai, Hokkaidō, Japan
Images for kids
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Sea of Okhotsk full map
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The Sea of Okhotsk in winter and summer
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Most of the Sea of Okhotsk was well mapped by 1792
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Nagayevo Bay near Magadan, Russia
See also
In Spanish: Mar de Ojotsk para niños
