North Atlantic Current: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

World map showing major ocean current systems, with arrows indicating the direction and speed of warm and cold currents in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. Warm currents are marked in red and cold currents in blue, with currents labeled by name and symbols denoting those that reverse direction seasonally. A legend explains current speed categories and color codes.

Map of the North Atlantic Ocean showing the path of the North Atlantic Current as a bold orange arrow moving northeast from the east coast of North America toward northwestern Europe. The map includes labeled continents-North America, Europe, and Africa-and a small inset globe highlighting the current's location.

major surface currents of the oceans

Map of the North Atlantic Ocean showing major ocean currents, with warm currents like the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift highlighted in pink and cold currents in blue. Arrows indicate current directions and relative speeds, connecting the eastern coasts of North America, the western coasts of Europe and Africa, and the Arctic region.

See All Images →

Topics

Gulf Stream Benguela Current Labrador Current Canary Current Brazil Current Norway Current West Greenland Current Florida Current Falkland Current Irminger Current

water glass on white background. (drink; clear; clean water; liquid)

Water and its Varying Forms

water glass on white background. (drink; clear; clean water; liquid)

Water and its Varying Forms