North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/6006-050-7AA8BFF2/Baltic-Sea-North-English-Channel.jpg)
North Sea, shallow, northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the British Isles and the mainland of northwestern Europe and covering an area of 220,000 square miles (570,000 square km). It is connected to the Atlantic by the Strait of Dover and the English Channel.
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/80/12580-050-50C8797D/harbour-Cromarty-mouth-Scotland-Firth-inlet-North.jpg)
North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/179459-138-F932DAE5/Overview-efforts-energy-waves-power-generator-coast.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)
North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/6006-050-7AA8BFF2/Baltic-Sea-North-English-Channel.jpg)
North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/59040-050-BEAE1332/fjords-North-Sea-coast-Norway.jpg)
North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/20/29920-050-9F0B73AA/Bergen-harbour-Nor-North-Sea.jpg?w=300&h=169&c=crop)
North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/72028-050-FEA458DE/cliffs-Flamborough-Head-North-Sea-East-Riding.jpg)
North Sea, Definition, Location, Map, Countries, & Facts