Historically, there are four named oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. However, most countries – including the United States – now recognize the Southern (Antarctic) as the fifth ocean. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian are the most commonly known.
What is the nearest continent to Antarctica?
South America is the closest continent to Antarctica. The closest point of South America is shared by Argentina and Chile. The Argentinian station Vice Comodoro Marambio is on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Which ocean is closest to Antarctica?
The Southern Ocean encircles Antarctica, and its area is usually defined as extending from the edge of the continent (and its ice shelves) to the position of the ‘polar front' separating it from the surrounding Pacific, Indian and South Atlantic Oceans.
What is the 5th ocean?
National Geographic, one of the world's pre-eminent and most visible mapmaking groups, has officially decreed the existence of a fifth ocean. Called the Southern Ocean , it's the body of water that surrounds Antarctica.
Is the Antarctic Ocean the same as the Arctic ocean?
Geography. Sea ice differs between the Arctic and Antarctic, primarily because of their different geography. The Arctic is a semi-enclosed ocean, almost completely surrounded by land.
Do people live in Antarctica?
Although there are no native Antarcticans and no permanent residents or citizens of Antarctica, many people do live in Antarctica each year .
What are the 7 oceans called?
The Seven Seas include the Arctic, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans . The exact origin of the phrase ‘Seven Seas' is uncertain, although there are references in ancient literature that date back thousands of years.
What are the 12 countries in Antarctica?
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve nations that had been active during the IGY ( Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR ).
Where is the capital of Antarctica?
Ushuaia . Ushuaia (population 67,600) is the capital of the Argentinean province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctic and South Atlantic Islands. It is commonly referred to as the southernmost city in the world.
What's the capital of Antarctica?
There is no capital as such since Antarctica is not a country, but rather a collection of territorial claims from various other countries.
What is the name of all 7 continents?
There are seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia (listed from largest to smallest in size).
What is the deepest ocean?
The Mariana Trench, in the Pacific Ocean , is the deepest location on Earth. According to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the United States has jurisdiction over the trench and its resources.
What's the difference between a sea and an ocean?
In terms of geography, seas are smaller than oceans and are usually located where the land and ocean meet. Typically, seas are partially enclosed by land. Seas are found on the margins of the ocean and are partially enclosed by land. ... Seas are smaller than oceans and are usually located where the land and ocean meet.
Is ice growing in Antarctica?
This changing sea ice extent is cited by the IPCC as an indicator of a warming world. However, sea ice extent is growing in Antarctica [1]. In fact, it's recently broken a record for maximum extent.
Do polar bears live in Antarctica?
Polar bears live in the Arctic, but not Antarctica . Down south in Antarctica you'll find penguins, seals, whales and all kinds of seabirds, but never polar bears. Even though the north and south polar regions both have lots of snow and ice, polar bears stick to the north. ... Polar bears don't live in Antarctica.
How deep is the ice in Antarctica?
At its thickest point the ice sheet is 4,776 meters deep . It averages 2,160 meters thick, making Antarctica the highest continent. This ice is 90 percent of all the world's ice and 70 percent of all the world's fresh water.
