Indian Ocean Borders of the oceans

the indian ocean, according cia world factbook (blue area), , defined iho (black outline - excluding marginal waterbodies).

the indian ocean washes upon southern asia , separates africa , australia.

the 3rd edition, in force, of international hydrographic organization s (iho) limits of oceans , seas defines limits of indian ocean (excluding seas contains) follows:

on north. southern limits of arabian sea , lakshadweep sea, southern limit of bay of bengal, southern limits of east indian archipelago, , southern limit of great australian bight.






on west. cape agulhas in 20° long. east, southward along meridian antarctic continent.






on east. south east cape, southern point of tasmania down meridian 146°55 e antarctic continent.






on south. antarctic continent.

note definition excludes marginal waterbodies separately defined iho (such bay of bengal , arabian sea), though these considered part of indian ocean.

in 2002 draft, iho redefined indian ocean, moving southern limit 60°s, waters south of line identified southern ocean. new definition has not yet been ratified (and, in addition, reservation lodged in 2003 australia.) while name southern ocean used, geographic authorities such 10th edition of world atlas u.s. national geographic society show atlantic, indian, , pacific oceans continuing antarctica. if , when adopted, 2002 definition published in 4th edition of limits of oceans , seas, re-instituting 2nd edition s southern ocean , omitted 3rd edition.

the boundary of indian ocean constitutional issue australia. imperial south australia colonisation act, 1834, established , defined colony of south australia defined south australia’s southern limit being “southern ocean.” definition carried through australian constitutional law upon federation of australia in 1901.

notes