The Five Oceans
Although the global ocean is a single continuous body of water, it is conventionally divided into five parts:
| Rank | Ocean | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Ocean | The largest of all oceans. |
| 2 | Atlantic Ocean | The second largest. |
| 3 | Indian Ocean | The third largest; bounded by Asia, Africa, and Australia. |
| 4 | Southern Ocean | Also known as the Antarctic Ocean; surrounds Antarctica. |
| 5 | Arctic Ocean | The smallest ocean, located around the North Pole. |
Marine Life
The oceans host a rich diversity of life forms, categorized into Flora and Fauna.
- Marine Flora: Includes tiny plants called algae and various kinds of seaweeds.
- Marine Fauna: Consists of thousands of species, including:
- Colourful fish and coral reefs.
- Marine mammals like Dolphins and Whales.
- Deep-sea creatures adapted to dark, high-pressure environments.
Tip
Did you know? More than half of the world’s oxygen is produced by the oceans’ flora (specifically phytoplankton and algae). This is why oceans are called ‘the planet’s lungs’.