Consider the following countries:

1. Finland

2. Germany

3. Norway

How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

The correct answer is (b) Only two.

Finland: Does not have a border with the North Sea. Finland is bordered by the Baltic Sea, specifically the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland .
Germany: Has a border with the North Sea. Germany’s coastline includes the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Norway: Has a border with the North Sea. Norway’s coastline extends along the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, and the Barents Sea .
Russia: Does not have a border with the North Sea. Russia’s borders include the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Pacific Ocean, but not the North Sea.

Thus, only Germany and Norway have borders with the North Sea.

Location: The North Sea is a shallow northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the British Isles and the mainland of northwestern Europe.
Borders: It is bordered by Great Britain to the southwest and west, the Orkney and Shetland islands to the northwest, Norway to the northeast, Denmark to the east, Germany and the Netherlands to the southeast, and Belgium and France to the south.
Connections: It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the English Channel in the south and the Norwegian Sea in the north. It also connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat straits.
Economic Importance: The North Sea is one of Europe’s most productive fisheries, a prominent shipping zone, and a source of petroleum and natural gas.
Geopolitical Significance: Historically, the North Sea has been crucial for maritime trade and military strategy, influencing the rise of the Vikings, the Hanseatic League, and the British Empire.
Environmental Issues: The North Sea faces environmental challenges such as overfishing, industrial and agricultural runoff, dredging, and dumping, leading to efforts to prevent degradation and safeguard economic benefits.

Reflection in IAS EXPRESS