The correct option is Only three
Explanation
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 70,560,000 km². Its geographical boundaries are defined by the continental landmasses of Asia, Africa, and Australia, as well as the Southern Ocean.- Pair 1 is correctly matched: To the North, the Indian Ocean is bounded by Asia (specifically the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia). Unlike the Atlantic and Pacific, the Indian Ocean is landlocked to the north.
- Pair 2 is correctly matched: To the West, the ocean is bounded by Africa. The boundary is generally considered to run from Cape Agulhas along the 20° East meridian.
- Pair 3 is correctly matched: To the East, it is bounded by Australia and the Malay Archipelago (Indonesian islands). The boundary separates the Indian Ocean from the Pacific Ocean.
- Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: To the South, the Indian Ocean is bounded by the Southern Ocean (or Antarctica, depending on the specific hydrographic definition). South America borders the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west; it has no coastline along the Indian Ocean.
Key Takeaway: The Indian Ocean is bounded by Asia (North), Africa (West), Australia (East), and the Southern Ocean/Antarctica (South). It is the only major ocean that is closed to the north by a landmass.