There are five oceans in the world:
- Pacific Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
- Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean)
Historically, only four oceans were widely recognized (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic), but most countries, including the United States, now recognize the Southern Ocean as the fifth ocean
. These five oceans are all connected as one continuous body of salt water covering about 71% of Earth's surface, but they are divided into distinct regions with their own unique features
. The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica and was officially defined by the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000, though some countries still debate its status
. In summary, while the global ocean is one continuous body of water, it is conventionally divided into five named oceans.
