Maritime geography

Maritime Geography is often discussed in terms of four loosely-defined regions: riverine, brown water, green water, and blue water.

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The riverine environment consists of all navigable rivers of interest.

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The brown water environment consists of the littoral areas, from the coast and estuarial areas to perhaps a hundred miles from shore. It is the most important maritime arena, including all coastal traffic and territorial waters, in which are found the great majority of a nation?s maritime police, customs, environmental, and economic concerns.

Related Topics:
Littoral - Estuarial - Maritime police

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The green water environment extends from of the outer edge of the brown-water zone past any continental shelves, archipelagos and islands; perhaps a thousand miles from shore.

Related Topics:
Continental shelves - Archipelago - Island

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The blue water environment extends from the outer edge of the green-water zone through the global deep ocean.

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A "blue water navy" is capable of extended operations, including full-scale warfighting, beyond the range of shore-based support. Conversely, a "brown water navy" focuses on coastal operations and takes a more defensive role in the navy. Both terms can apply to a general attitude of a nation as well as the equipment of an individual fleet.

Related Topics:
Blue water navy - Warfighting - Brown water navy - Fleet

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"Blue water sailing" refers to trans-oceanic cruising in recreational yachts, typically for an extended period of time.

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