North Sea

The North Sea, located in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the arctic north polar region, is the smallest, and shallowest of Elara's five major oceanic divisions. Alternatively, the North Sea can be seen as the northernmost lobe of the all-encompassing world ocean.
Bordered on one side by Phaara, the North Sea is largely covered by sea ice throughout the year. The North Sea's temperature and salinity vary seasonally as the ice cover melts and freezes; its salinity is the lowest on average of the five major oceans, due to low evaporation, heavy freshwater inflow from rivers and streams, and limited connection and outflow to surrounding oceanic waters with higher salinities.
The North Sea occupies a roughly circular basin and covers an area of about 14,056,000 km2 (5,427,000 sq mi). Ice covers most of the ocean surface year-round, causing subfreezing temperatures much of the time. The North Sea is a major source of very cold air that inevitably moves toward the equator, meeting with warmer air in the middle latitudes and causing rain and snow. Marine life abounds in open areas, especially the more southerly waters.
The Northern Passage is a reference to a trade route using the Aos Sea to connect the Apenic Sea to the North Sea. Due to the ice pack, it is rarely used, and only attempted in the summer months when the ice has receeded as much as it can.
Category:Seas
Category:Bodies of water
Category:Phaara locations
Category:Elara Locations