The UN Atlas of the Oceans

Traditionally, an atlas was a bound collection of maps, charts, plates and tables illustrating a subject. The UN Atlas of the Oceans is an on-line version, an encyclopedic survey of the best ocean information. The project is a partnership of six UN Agencies and other public and private partners, including the World Ocean Observatory.

To access information, the Atlas offers four main points of entry:

• About the Oceans: history, biology, maps and statistics to research, climatology and ecology;
• Uses of the Oceans: from fishing, shipping and mining to tourism, dumping and marine biotechnology;
• Issues: from food security and climate change to governance and human health;
• Geography: information categorized by geographical area.

The Atlas is the most comprehensive on-line resource for inquiry about the full spectrum of ocean issues. It is an essential tool for students, teachers, and others interested in detailed information about ocean systems and services.