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Explore how submarine cables connect almost every country in the world, forming a network of more than 1,3 million kilometers of submerged optical fiber, essential for 99% of global communications.
How does the internet connect entire continents in a matter of seconds? The answer lies underwater: undersea cables. These giant wires form the backbone of global communication, supporting nearly 99% of data transmissions between countries. Now, with an interactive map, we can literally “navigate” this fascinating infrastructure and understand how the modern world is interconnected.
The essential role of submarine cables
Submarine cables are like the digital arteries of the planet, carrying essential data for everything from video calls to streaming movies. There are so many of them that together they could circle the Sun. The difference between them goes beyond length: some are as thin as a computer wire, while others are the diameter of a garden hose.
If you can now send a message to someone in Europe in seconds, you can thank undersea cables. Countries like the United States and Japan have dense networks, but even more isolated regions like French Polynesia are connected. But this dependence also creates vulnerabilities: geopolitical threats and natural disasters can disrupt crucial connections.
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How it works and what it shows
This interactive map is a veritable “Google Map” of undersea cables. It details where they are located, who owns them, and when they were installed. It’s like seeing the invisible “skeleton” that underpins our daily digital interactions.
Some areas on the map stand out as veritable underwater highways. The North Atlantic, for example, connects the northeastern United States to Europe with cables such as the Marea and Grace Hopper, while the Suez Canal is a crucial crossroads for communications between Europe and Asia.
The North Atlantic is one of the busiest routesCables like Marea, which connects Bilbao to Virginia, and Grace Hopper, which runs from the US to England, show how large technology companies invest heavily in this infrastructure.
In Asia, the density of cables is impressive. SeaMeWe-5, with 20 thousand kilometers, connects from France to Singapore. In the Pacific, Pacific Crossing-1 connects Japan, Hawaii and the USA, forming one of the longest data bridges on the planet.
The 2Africa project, which is 45 kilometers long, is one of the largest ever built. It not only runs around the entire African continent, but also connects Europe and Asia. This infrastructure promises to revolutionize connectivity in regions that are still largely unexplored.
Exponential growth and technological needs
Between 2023 and 2025, more than 300 kilometers of new cables will come into operation, the result of an investment of 10 billion dollars. With the advancement of artificial intelligence and streaming, the demand for this infrastructure will only increase.
While essential, undersea cables are subject to deliberate cuts and political disputes. Regions like North Korea remain isolated, while countries like Cuba rely on a few cables to connect to the rest of the world.
Submarine cables are the lifeblood of our digital world. This interactive map not only reveals this crucial infrastructure, but also makes us reflect on the complexity and interdependence of the modern world. Next time you watch a video or send a message, remember: behind this simplicity, there are thousands of kilometers of cables. working to connect you to the world.
