The Norwegian Sea or the Norwegian Norskehavet is part of the
Northern Atlantic Ocean despite its proximity to the
Arctic Ocean. It is surrounded on the northwest and northeast by the
Greenland and
Barents seas, the
North Sea,
Atlantic Ocean and the
Shetland and
Faroe islands to the south,
Norway on the east and
Iceland and
Jan Mayen Island on the west. What separates it from the Atlantic Ocean is an
underwater ridge which goes between northern
Scotland, Iceland, Greenland and the Farow Islands. Thanks to the
Norway Current, a warm
current sometimes considered an extension of the
gulf stream, there is often no ice and the mix of warm and cold water makes for a good fishing ground. Fish such as
cod and
herring can be found near the coasts it boarders. As the ice in the arctic melts, the sea is filled with cold fresh water which over time will affect its ability to support
marine wildlife.
Maximum Depth: 13,020 feet (3,970 m)
Average Salinity: 35 PPT
Fjords: Andfjorden (And) Fjord in northwestern Norway, Trondheimsfjorden in west central Norway, Folda in northern Norway and Vestfjorden off of Norway's northwestern coast
There is also a popular cruise ship run by Norwegian Cruise Line by the name of Norwegian Sea. At 700 feet long with a crew of 630 people it can house 1,518 passengers on nine decks. The Bahamas registered ship was put in service in 1988 under the name of the Seaward and refitted in January 2003. Designed for the younger crowd with children it boasts a number of dining choices and evening options. Its cabins are fairly sizable and the cheaper cabins are meant for three to four people which makes them good for families on vacation. Amenities include two pools, a spa and fitness center, snorkeling, a casino, a disco, art auctions and shopping in addition to the standard range of cruise ship daily activities.
Sources:
"Norwegian Sea." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
19 Jan. 2004 <http://www.search.eb.com/eb/article?eu=57718>.
"Norwegian Sea." Cruise Mates 2004. 19 Jan. 2004 <http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/reviews/ncl/sea.cfm>.