Where are the oceans located?
Quick Answer
The Pacific Ocean is located between North America and Asia, while the Atlantic Ocean is opposite it between North America, South America, Africa and Europe. The Indian Ocean is between Australia, Africa and Asia, and the Arctic Ocean is between Europe, Asia and North America. The Southern Ocean encompasses the waters around Antarctica and below the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
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Full Answer
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the five oceans and also contains the deepest point on Earth, the Mariana Trench. The Pacific Ocean covers approximately 28 percent of the surface of the world, according to the CIA World Factbook. It is also almost equal to the combined size of all landmasses on the Earth.
The Atlantic is the next-largest ocean and has a long history of trade and exploration between Europe, Africa and the Americas. It includes many of the seas of the world, such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean, and is known for its heavy monsoons. It is only a little over 2 million square miles smaller than the Atlantic.
The Southern is the newest ocean on the list and the fourth largest. It was designated its own ocean in 2000. It is home to the world's largest ocean current, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
The Arctic is the smallest ocean, and most of its volume is above the Arctic Circle. Much of its surface is covered in thick ice the majority of the year.
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