Editing North Sea (section)

== Geography ==

The North Sea extends about 960 kilometres from the Strait of Dover to its northern opening near the [[Shetland Islands]] and the Norwegian coast. It reaches a maximum width of about 580 kilometres and covers approximately 570,000 square kilometres. Its northern boundary is broad and open, while the southern entrance narrows sharply between England and France.

Water depth increases from south to north. Much of the southern basin is less than 50 metres deep, and broad parts of the central basin remain below 100 metres. The northern section commonly reaches depths of 100 to 200 metres. The main exception is the [[Norwegian Trench]], which follows the coast of Norway and reaches a maximum depth of about 725 metres in the Skagerrak.

The [[Dogger Bank]] is the largest shallow bank in the central North Sea. Its highest parts lie only 15 to 30 metres below the surface. The bank affects tidal movement, sediment transport, navigation, and the distribution of fishing grounds. Farther north, deeper channels and depressions interrupt the otherwise gradual slope of the continental shelf.

The northern and western coasts are generally rocky, especially around Norway and Scotland. The southern and eastern shores are lower. Broad estuaries interrupt long sandy coasts, while dunes and engineered flood defences protect extensive lowlands. Tidal flats occupy the most sheltered coastal waters. The [[Wadden Sea]] extends behind the [[Frisian Islands]] along the Dutch, German, and Danish coasts. This sheltered coastal zone is separated from the open sea by barrier islands and shifting sandbanks.

The Rhine–Meuse system supplies the largest continental river discharge. The [[Elbe]], [[Scheldt]], [[Weser]], and [[Ems]] enter along the mainland coast. Eastern Britain drains through the [[Thames]] and [[Humber]]. These rivers carry fresh water and sediment into estuaries, where salinity and seabed conditions differ from those of the open sea.