Where Is the Sargasso Sea?

The Sargasso Sea is unique among the world seas because it has no land boundaries. Instead, it is defined by four Atlantic currents: the Gulf Stream to the west, the North Atlantic Current to the north, the Canary Current to the east, and the North Atlantic Equatorial Current to the south. Covering roughly 3.1 million km², it is named after the floating Sargassum seaweed that accumulates on its surface, creating a distinctive golden-brown mat. The sea is remarkably clear (visibility up to 60 metres), warm, and low in nutrients. It is the only place where European and American eels migrate to spawn, in one of nature great mysteries — no one has ever observed them mating there.