Editing South Atlantic

{{Short description|Southern part of the Atlantic Ocean}}

The '''South Atlantic''' is the southern part of the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It lies south of the equator, with [[South America]] on its western side and [[Africa]] on its eastern side. Its southern waters connect with the [[Southern Ocean]] near [[Antarctica]].<ref name="atlantic-geography"/>

The region forms the main Atlantic sea space between eastern South America and western Africa. It includes open ocean routes, island waters, coastal approaches, and southern Atlantic passages used for transport between the two continents.<ref name="atlantic-coasts"/>

== Geography ==

The South Atlantic occupies the southern half of the Atlantic Ocean. The equator forms its general northern division from the [[North Atlantic]], while its southern edge reaches cold waters near Antarctica.<ref name="atlantic-geography"/>

The [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]] runs through the basin and divides the western and eastern ocean floor. The western side borders the Atlantic coast of South America, while the eastern side borders the western and southwestern coasts of Africa.<ref name="atlantic-geography"/>

The northern part of the region includes tropical Atlantic waters near the [[Gulf of Guinea]] and northeastern South America. Farther south, the ocean opens into colder waters near the Southern Ocean. Islands in the region include [[Annobón]], a volcanic island near the equator in the South Atlantic.<ref name="annobon-geography"/>

== Atlantic routes ==

The South Atlantic served as a route for movement between South America, Africa, and the wider Atlantic world. Its sea lanes supported coastal navigation, overseas trade, naval movement, fishing, undersea communication, and later modern shipping.<ref name="atlantic-history"/>

Ports on both sides of the ocean linked inland regions to maritime transport. Atlantic-facing parts of South America used the ocean for trade and resource movement, while African Atlantic ports became important for administration, supply, and regional logistics.<ref name="atlantic-coasts"/>

The ocean also supported offshore activity and long-distance communication. Atlantic shipping routes connected ports in the Americas and Africa with wider routes leading toward Europe, the Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean.<ref name="atlantic-economy"/>

== Tanoan regional use ==

From 1980 to 30 November 2024, the South Atlantic name was used in the regional command structure of the [[Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]. The command was [[SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik]], which operated under the [[Oberkommando der Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]] and formed part of the [[Regional Großabschnitte]] system.<ref name="south-atlantic-command"/>

The command handled South Atlantic and Pacific-linked territories, island networks, maritime routes, and overseas support structures. Its work focused on maritime access, island-linked administration, transport reporting, and communication between [[Tanoa]] and external support networks.<ref name="regional-commands"/>

The South Atlantic also connected several regional command areas. SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik worked with [[SS-Großabschnitt Afrika]] on South Atlantic movement connected to African territories and with [[SS-Großabschnitt Nord-Atlantik]] on wider Atlantic coordination.<ref name="south-atlantic-maritime"/>

== See also ==
* [[Atlantic Ocean]]
* [[North Atlantic]]
* [[South America]]
* [[Africa]]
* [[Southern Ocean]]
* [[Annobón]]
* [[SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik]]
* [[Regional Großabschnitte]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="atlantic-geography">"[[Atlantic Ocean#Geography|Geography]]". ''Atlantic Ocean''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section identifying the Atlantic Ocean's division into the North Atlantic and South Atlantic, with the equator as the general dividing line. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="atlantic-coasts">"[[Atlantic Ocean#Coasts and surrounding regions|Coasts and surrounding regions]]". ''Atlantic Ocean''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing the Atlantic coasts of South America and Africa and their maritime importance. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="atlantic-history">"[[Atlantic Ocean#Historical role|Historical role]]". ''Atlantic Ocean''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing the Atlantic Ocean as a route for movement between continents, trade, migration, naval activity, and modern transport. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="atlantic-economy">"[[Atlantic Ocean#Economy and transport|Economy and transport]]". ''Atlantic Ocean''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section covering Atlantic shipping, fishing, offshore energy, communication cables, port services, and maritime links between the Americas and Africa. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="annobon-geography">"[[Annobón#Geography|Geography]]". ''Annobón''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section identifying Annobón as a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean near the equator. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="south-atlantic-command">"[[SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik|SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik]]". ''SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Lead section identifying the South Atlantic and Pacific regional command, its parent authority, and its 1980 to 30 November 2024 date range. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="regional-commands">"[[Regional Großabschnitte#Regional commands|Regional commands]]". ''Regional Großabschnitte''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Regional command table listing SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik and its South Atlantic and Pacific-linked area of responsibility. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
<ref name="south-atlantic-maritime">"[[SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik#Maritime and island administration|Maritime and island administration]]". ''SS-Großabschnitt Süd-Atlantik und Pazifik''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''. Section describing South Atlantic route coordination with SS-Großabschnitt Afrika and wider Atlantic coordination with SS-Großabschnitt Nord-Atlantik. Accessed 15 June 2026.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Locations]]