Oceans | Definition, Distribution, Map, Formation, & Facts
About 71% of the Earth is covered in salt water. We call this main body of water the ocean. The ocean is divided into 5 great oceans, but they are actually interconnected. They are mainly divided by seven continents of the world. Go here to learn more about ocean habitats.
The 5 Oceans in the World with description of each:
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean that covers about a third of the Earth’s surface. It separates Asia and Australia from North and South America. The Pacific Ocean takes its name from explorer Ferdinand Magellan. He called it Mar Pacifico, which means “sea of peace” in Portuguese.
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The Mariana Trench is located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the deepest place in the world at 35,797 feet under the ocean. The largest island in the Pacific Ocean is New Guinea Island in the South Pacific Ocean. Other notable features include the Hawaiian Islands and the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world. It separates Europe and Africa from North and South America.
The Gulf Stream is a strong warm ocean current that flows in the Atlantic Ocean from the tip of Florida, to the coast of the United States, and then to Europe. Gulf currents have a significant impact on the climate of the eastern United States and western Europe.
Years ago, some people believed that the Earth was flat and that ships would fall off the Earth somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Christopher Columbus proved them wrong when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas. The Atlantic Ocean gets its name from the Greeks who called it the Atlas Sea.
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean in the world. It is located south of Asia and India and separates East Africa from Australia. It is the warmest ocean in the world.
The Indian Ocean includes the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Important islands include Madagascar, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka.
Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is found in the northern part of the Earth, mainly around the North Pole. This is the smallest and shallowest ocean in the world. A large amount of fresh water enters the Arctic due to melting ice. Most of the year, much of the Arctic is covered with ice.
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is the fourth or second smallest of the oceans. It is found in Antarctica and in the southern part of the Earth.
Interesting Facts about the Ocean
The average depth of the world’s oceans is 12,200 feet.
Mount Mauna Kea in Hawaii rises 33,474 feet from the base of the mountain. It would become the tallest mountain in the world if its bottom were not lower than sea level.
About 97% of the water on the planet is found in the oceans.
About 80% of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of the coast.
The longest mountain range in the world is actually under the ocean and is called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.