Difference between sea and ocean

The earth consists mainly of oceans and seas

• If you look at satellite images of our planet earth, you will quickly see that the largest mass is not land, but water. For this reason, many people also use the term "blue planet" for the earth. The innumerable bodies of water can generally be divided into rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.
• Some waterNames you will have certainly heard of this in this context. Many people believe that there are no differences between seas and oceans, but that is not the case. If you get into a very interesting subject, you'll be pretty quick note that the two terms are inherently different and by no means each other are interchangeable.

The most important differences considered in detail

Not every sea fulfills the conditions to be an ocean, and the reverse is also true. In German usage you will also find the term "Weltmeere" and only this is an equivalent to the oceans. The differences between the two terms are explained relatively simply and clearly.

• For example, you will know that there are "only" 5 oceans on our planet, but there are significantly more bodies of water that deserve the designation sea.
• The 5 largest water masses on earth are called: Arctic Ocean (Arctic Ocean), Indian Ocean (Indic), Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic), Pacific Ocean (Pacific) and Antarctic Ocean (also called Southern Ocean).


How many seas are there on earth?

The oceans, also called seas, are part of the earth. Exactly how many there are depends ...

• All other larger bodies of water that you will find on our planet earth are not oceans of the world, but "only" simple tributaries. The most famous names, which you have probably already heard, include: the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
• There are a total of 9 major bodies of water that you cannot count among the oceans. If you are now aware of the important differences, you will be able to better understand and classify the water relationships on our planet in the future.