ocean, Large continuous body of salt water. Ocean covers nearly 71% of Earth’s surface and is divided into major oceans and smaller seas. The three principal oceans, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian, are largely delimited by land and submarine topographic boundaries. All are connected to the Southern Ocean, which encompasses the waters encircling Antarctica beginning at 60° S latitude. Important marginal seas, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, are partially enclosed by landmasses or island arcs. The largest are the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas, Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters, Mediterranean Sea, Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Yellow Sea, China Sea, and Sea of Japan.
Table of Contents
Fast Facts
Read Next
Quizzes
