Locations of the Indian Ocean & Syrian Desert: Hemispheres, Borders & Maps

Indian Ocean

• Hemispheres: Primarily Southern & Eastern; crosses Equator (Northern edge ~25°N).
• Boundaries: Africa (west), Asia (north), Australia (east), Southern Ocean (south, 60°S).
• Key Marginal Seas: Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Andaman Sea, Great Australian Bight.
• Area: ~70.6M km² (3rd largest ocean).

Syrian Desert (Badiyat al-Sham)

• Region: Southwest Asia (Middle East).
• Countries: Syria (~60%), Jordan (~20%), Iraq (~15%), Saudi Arabia (~5%).
• Coordinates: ~30°–35°N, 37°–45°E.
• Terrain: Basalt plateau (Harrat), sand/gravel plains, wadis. Part of larger Arabian Desert.
• Climate: Hyper-arid; <100 mm rain/yr; extreme diurnal temps.

Both features are pivotal: the Indian Ocean drives monsoon systems and global trade; the Syrian Desert shapes regional hydrology, migration routes, and military geography.