Do you know why Earth is also called "Blue Planet"? This is because three quarters of its surface is occupied by the oceans, which, in turn, contain approximately 96% of the water that exists here. And that's not all! They are also home to a large part of all the biodiversity that exists in the world, not to mention that they are the main lungs of the planet. In fact, the oceans produce 50% of the oxygen in the atmosphere. Therefore, they are a vital element for life on Earth. But would you know which is the largest ocean in the world?
We want to answer precisely this question in this article. We will explain which is the largest ocean in the world and what are its characteristics. So do not hesitate to continue reading if you are interested in the subject and find out more about our great planet, the Blue Planet.
What is the largest ocean in the world?
As you probably already know, there are a total of five oceans on our planet. They inhabit around 200 thousand different species that have been identified to date. Still, we still have a lot to explore in the depths. In fact, outer space is known more thoroughly than the seabed.
But what is the largest ocean in the world? Well then, this position is occupied by the Pacific Ocean. It should be noted that it is not only the largest ocean in the world, but also the deepest, reaching up to 10.924 meters. In fact, in it we can find the deepest marine depression on the entire planet, known as the Mariana Trench. Next we will list the five oceans that exist, from the largest to the smallest:
- Pacific Ocean: 155.557.000 km²
- Atlantic Ocean: 106.500.000 km²
- Indian Ocean: 68.556.000 km²
- Antartic Ocean: 20.327.000 km²
- Arctic Ocean: 14.056.000 km²
Curiosities about the oceans
Some of you may be surprised by the impact that the oceans have on our planet. There are many benefits they bring, more than we usually think. Let's see some notable facts and figures that should not leave us indifferent:
- They occupy more than 70% of the planet's surface.
- They form 90% of the habitable space, of which less than 10% has been explored.
- Of all beings living on Earth, between 50% and 80% inhabit the oceans.
- They hold about 96% of all the water on the planet. The rest is fresh water that is distributed in ice, rivers and lakes.
- Tiny organisms called phytoplankton live in the oceans. They produce about 50% of all the oxygen in the atmosphere. through photosynthesis.
- Every year the oceans absorb about 25% of CO2 generated by human activity, thus protecting the ozone layer and reducing the greenhouse effect as much as possible.
- There are various coastal ecosystems that contain large amounts of carbon.
- The food we obtain from the sea tends to have a high protein content, being the main source of this element for at least a quarter of the world's population. Thus it is essential that sustainable fishing policies and techniques are developed and maintain these food sources.
As you can see, the oceans are vital for the existence of our planet and, obviously, the survival of our species and all the others with which we share this globe. It is vitally important that we become aware of the impact we are having on the world and take care of the oceans.
Characteristics of the largest ocean in the world: The Pacific
Now that we know a little more about the importance of these gigantic bodies of water, let's talk in more detail about the largest ocean in the world: The Pacific. It has an extension of about 15.500 kilometers from the northern Arctic Ocean to the Bering Sea. It also borders southern Antarctica and the Ross Sea. The greatest width of this ocean, approximately 19.800 kilometers, extends from the coast of Colombia to Indonesia. As for the western limit of the Pacific, it is located in the Strait of Malacca, in Southeast Asia.
It's not just the world's largest ocean, but also the one with the most islands. It is estimated that there are approximately 25 thousand! Of these, the vast majority are found in the southern area of the equator. The area that covers the Pacific reaches 155.557.000 km² and holds the deepest point on this planet: the Mariana Trench. The second largest ocean in the world is the atlantic, and connects the Pacific with a total of four points. Three of them are natural passages found in the southern tip of America: the Drake Sea, the Strait of Magellan, and the Beagle Channel. The fourth connection point is artificial, it is the Panama Canal.
Historically, the first European to see the Pacific from the American coast was the explorer and Spanish nobleman named Andrés Contero. This occurred during the expedition of Vasco Núñez de Balboa. After managing to cross the Isthmus of Panama, he took possession of those waters on September 25, 1513, in the name of the kings of Spain. He named it "South Sea". A few years later, Ferdinand Magellan, a Spanish navigator with Portuguese roots, named this ocean "Pacific". Being in the service of the Crown of Spain, Magellan made a circumnavigation of the Earth and precisely these waters turned out to be very calm during most of his journey, just after passing the Strait of Magellan.
However, it should be noted that this ocean does not always live up to its name. On many occasions, islands and continental coastlines are hit by hurricanes, typhoons, and volcanic and seismic activities. These natural disasters have caused a lot of damage over the years.
I hope that with all this information it has become clear to you which is the largest ocean in the world and what are its characteristics. Above all, we must remember the importance of these immense aquatic surfaces and take care of them together.