The Five Oceans
Learn more about Earth's oceans.
Goal:
Goal:
Atlantic:The second largest of the world's oceans, the Atlantic covers about 30 million square miles (76.8 million square kilometers). The Atlantic Ocean lies between Africa, Europe, North America, and South America.
Pacific:
The largest of the world's oceans, the Pacific covers about 60 million square miles (155.6 million square km). It lies between Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. The Pacific is the deepest ocean, with trenches measuring nearly 7 miles (11 km) deep.
Indian:
The body of water between Africa, Asia, and Australia is the Indian Ocean. It covers about 26.4 million square miles (68.5 million square km), making it the third-largest ocean.
Arctic:
The body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, north of the Arctic Circle, is the Arctic Ocean. It is the smallest ocean in area, at about 5.4 million square miles (14 million square km). Much of this ocean is under an ice cap, although warming trends are making this body of water navigable even in the winter.
Southern:
A decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000 created a fifth world ocean from the southern portions of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. The Southern Ocean is the body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica. The Southern Ocean is about 7.7 million square miles (20 million square km).