Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South
Atlantic Ocean

Government

Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard
for hydrographic codes--see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic
Data Codes appendix

Economy

Economy--overview: The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's
most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern
and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the
exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, the dredging of
aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and
natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).

Communications

Telephone system:
international: numerous submarine cables with most between
continental Europe and the UK, between North America and the UK, and
in the Mediterranean; numerous direct links across Atlantic via
satellite networks

Transportation

Ports and harbors: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp
(Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca
(Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal),
Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas
(Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal),
London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal
(Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran
(Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de
Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg
(Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)

Transportation--note: Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two
important waterways

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: some maritime disputes (see littoral
states)

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@Australia
---------

Introduction

Background: Australia became a British commonwealth in 1901.
Blessed by rich natural resources, the country enjoyed rapid gains
in herding, agriculture, and manufacturing and made a major
contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Australia
subsequently developed its minerals, metals, and fossil fuel
markets, all of which have become key Australian exports. Long-term
concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone
layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially
the Great B