When viewed from the space, the earth looks like a vast expanse of water. The continents appear as landmasses projected in between. Nearly 71% of the earth's surface area is covered with water. Land is confined to the remaining 29%. Oceans occur between the land masses. The major oceans are the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Arctic, the Antarctic, and the Indian Ocean. Each of the above oceans contains bays, straits, and several seas. The portion of the sea surrounded by land on three sides is called a bay. The narrow stretch of sea between two landmasses is known as the strait. Sea is the portion of an ocean close to the land. The Arabian Sea is a part of the Indian Ocean.
1. The Pacific Ocean
- This is the largest ocean in the world
- Total area: 165.2 lakh sq.km.
- Average depth: 4280 m.
- The Mariana trench in the Challenger Deep is the deepest point in the Pacific Ocean (11034m).
- It shape, resembles a broad triangle with its apex in the north at the Bering strait and the base to the south.
2. The Atlantic Ocean
- This is the second largest ocean in the world.
- It is the busiest ocean route in the world
- Total area: 82.4 lakh sq.km.
- Average depth: 3700 m.
- Deepest point: Puerto Rico trench (8618 m)
- A 14000 km long mountain range known as the Mid Atlantic ridge exists along the middle of this ocean.
- Bermuda trinagle is located in the Atlantic ocean
3. The Indian Ocean
- It is the third largest ocean in the world and the only ocean named after a country, India
- Total area: 73.4 lakh sq.km.
- Average depth: 3960m.
- Deepest point: 7725 m (Warton trench)
4. The Antarctic Ocean or Southern Ocean
- The ocean surface is frozen
- Also known as the 'southern ocean'
- Total area: 32 lakh sq.km.
5. The Arctic Ocean
- The smallest ocean
- Total area: 14.09 lakh sq.km.
- Deepest point: 5180 m