The Barents Sea is a part of the Arctic Ocean and is located northeast of Norway and northwest of Russia. It is named after the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz and stretches over 1,400 km from the southern coast of Novaya Zemlya to the northern coast of Norway. The sea is home to abundant marine life including various species of fish, whales, and seals. Synonyms for the Barents Sea include the Barentsz Sea, Barentsza, Barentsovo More, and Barentsevo More. It is also sometimes referred to as the Arctic Ocean's European sector due to its location. The Barents Sea is an important area for oil and gas exploration, fishing, and shipping routes.