What is Andaman Sea?
[[File:LocationAndamanSea.png|right|Map of Andaman Sea]] The '''Andaman Sea''' or '''Burma Sea''' is a body of water to the southeast of the [[Bay of Bengal]]. It is south of [[Burma]], west of [[Thailand]] and east of the [[Andaman Islands]], [[India]]. It is part of the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref name=bse>[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article057639.html Andaman Sea], [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]] (in Russian)</ref><ref name=brit>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/23505/Andaman-Sea Andaman Sea], Encyclopædia Britannica on-line</ref> The sea has been used for fishery and transportation of goods between the coastal countries. Its [[coral reef]]s and islands are popular for tourism. Many building were badly damaged by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]]. The average depth of the sea is about 1,000 meters (3,300&nbsp;ft). The northern and eastern parts are shallower than 180 meters (600&nbsp;ft) due to the [[silt]] deposited by the [[Irrawaddy River]]. This major river flows into the sea from the north through Burma. The western and central areas are 900–3,000 meters deep (3,000–10,000&nbsp;ft). Less than 5% of the sea is deeper than 3,000 meters (10,000&nbsp;ft). In a system of submarine valleys east of the Andaman-Nicobar Ridge, the depth is more than 4,000 meters (13,200&nbsp;ft).<ref name=brit/> The sea floor is covered with pebbles, gravel and sand.<ref name=bse/> ==Flora== The coastal areas of the Andaman Sea have [[mangrove]] forests and [[seagrass]] meadows.<ref name=p25>Panjarat, pp. 25–26</ref> The mangrove roots trap soil and sediment. They provide shelter and are a nursery for fish and small aquatic organisms. Their body protects the [[shore]] from the wind and waves. Their [[detritus]] are a part of the aquatic food chain. Other important sources of nutrients in the Andaman Sea are seagrass and the mud bottoms of lagoons and coastal areas. Many aquatic species move from and to seagrass either daily or at certain stages of their [[life cycle]]. ==Fauna== [[File:Phantom Bannerfish -