The Oceans
Learn
Did you know that most of the Earth is covered by water? The biggest bodies of water on Earth are called oceans. Let's learn about them!
What is an Ocean?
An ocean is a huge body of salt water. Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth - that means most of our planet is water! Oceans are home to millions of fish, whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures.
The Five Oceans
There are five oceans on Earth. Here they are from largest to smallest:
- Pacific Ocean - The largest and deepest ocean
- Atlantic Ocean - The second largest ocean
- Indian Ocean - The third largest ocean
- Southern Ocean - The ocean around Antarctica
- Arctic Ocean - The smallest and coldest ocean
Facts About Each Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is SO big that all the continents could fit inside it! It touches North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is between North America/South America and Europe/Africa. If you fly from the United States to Europe, you cross the Atlantic Ocean!
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is warm and is located between Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is named after the country of India.
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica. It is very cold and has lots of icebergs. Penguins and seals live near this ocean.
Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is at the top of the world, near the North Pole. It is the smallest ocean and is partly covered with ice. Polar bears live near the Arctic Ocean.
Why Are Oceans Important?
- Oceans give us food like fish and shrimp
- Oceans help control the weather
- Ships use oceans to move things around the world
- Oceans are home to amazing animals
- Oceans give us oxygen to breathe
Examples
Let's practice what we learned about the oceans.
Example 1: Finding an Ocean
Question: What ocean is between North America and Europe?
Think: Look at a map. Find North America, then find Europe. What water is between them?
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean is between North America and Europe.
Example 2: Comparing Oceans
Question: Which is bigger - the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean?
Think: The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.
Answer: The Pacific Ocean is bigger than the Atlantic Ocean.
Example 3: Finding Animals
Question: Near which ocean would you find polar bears?
Think: Polar bears live where it is very cold, near the North Pole.
Answer: Polar bears live near the Arctic Ocean.
Example 4: Reading a Map
Question: Hawaii is a group of islands. What ocean are they in?
Think: Hawaii is between North America and Asia.
Answer: Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.
Example 5: Ocean Locations
Question: Which ocean surrounds Antarctica?
Think: Antarctica is at the bottom of the world, at the South Pole.
Answer: The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica.
Practice
Answer these questions about the oceans.
1. How many oceans are there on Earth?
Show Answer
There are 5 oceans on Earth.
2. What is the largest ocean?
Show Answer
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean.
3. What is the smallest ocean?
Show Answer
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean.
4. Which ocean is named after a country?
Show Answer
The Indian Ocean is named after India.
5. Is ocean water fresh or salty?
Show Answer
Ocean water is salty (salt water).
6. Which two oceans are very cold?
Show Answer
The Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean are very cold.
7. How much of the Earth is covered by oceans?
Show Answer
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth (more than half!).
8. Name one reason why oceans are important.
Show Answer
Possible answers: Oceans give us food, help control weather, are home to animals, give us oxygen, or help ships travel.
9. Which ocean would you cross to travel from the United States to Africa?
Show Answer
You would cross the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Where is the Arctic Ocean located?
Show Answer
The Arctic Ocean is at the top of the world, near the North Pole.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: What is the difference between an ocean and a continent?
Show Answer
A continent is a large area of land. An ocean is a huge body of salt water. Continents are surrounded by oceans.
Question 2: Can you name all five oceans?
Show Answer
The five oceans are: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.
Question 3: Why is the Pacific Ocean special?
Show Answer
The Pacific Ocean is special because it is the largest and deepest ocean. It is so big that all the continents could fit inside it!
Question 4: How do people use the oceans?
Show Answer
People use oceans for fishing, shipping goods on boats, traveling, and swimming. The oceans also help make the air we breathe.
Next Steps
- Explore a map: Find a world map and locate all five oceans. Which ocean is closest to where you live?
- Learn about sea life: Research an animal that lives in the ocean. What ocean does it live in?
- Keep learning: You have completed the Maps and Continents unit! Continue exploring Social Studies to learn about communities and history.