# How many oceans? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2013, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690 "2013-05-30T06:46:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/21 "2013-05-30T15:10:39Z")
> [@Carnacki](#): > > Is the Department of Figuring Out How Many Oceans There Are affiliated with the Ministry of Decided Whether or Not Tomatoes are Fruit? Indeed! They are also funded under the same budget that funds The Bureau of Parking On Driveways and Driving On Parkways. But seriously, I am just wondering how many grown-ass men like me had gone their whole lives never learning of this amazing 5th ocean. I feel like I’ve been lied to my whole life. ---
**Author:** ![Weeping\_Wyvern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@Weeping\_Wyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weeping_Wyvern)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/22 "2013-05-30T17:36:17Z")
There are four oceans, seven continents, and nine planets. Anyone who claims otherwise can meet me at the town square at noon with his choice of pistols or sabres. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/23 "2013-05-30T17:44:05Z")
Born in 60s; edumacated in the 70s: I was taught there were 4 oceans. When my daughter was in kindergarten 10 years ago, she told me about the Southern Ocean. I was surprised. I got over it. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/24 "2013-05-30T18:53:52Z")
I was taught 4 oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. I can see why people would count the Southern Ocean as seperate, but I’ve never done so myself. I guess I just think of it as being the southern reaches of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/25 "2013-05-30T19:00:05Z")
After clicking on the Wiki link, I think the 60-degree definition is way too restrictive. A more reasonable definition would be consider it as the ocean that lies south of the southern tips of South America and Africa, and the Southern coast of Australia, and just admit that the borders between it and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans are difficult to define. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/26 "2013-05-30T19:09:19Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > But then there are the ‘Seven Seas’. > How does that fit in? The Seven Seas were the ones frequented by Mediterranean cultures – the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/27 "2013-05-30T19:13:48Z")
4 oceans? I think you’re confusing it with strong winds. There are 4 strong winds that blow lonely, and 7 seas that run high. ETA: And those are things that don’t change, come what may. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/28 "2013-05-30T19:14:44Z")
I find the Southern Ocean a bit difficult to understand, perhaps some of the more cartography minded folks among us can explain it to me. The other oceans are generally separated by large landmasses, continents. While they are connected, there is the fairly clear sense that one must go around “that” or go through “there” in order to get from one ocean to another. I see no similar distinction with the Southern Ocean, you go straight north from just about any point and you wind up in another ocean. ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/29 "2013-05-30T19:44:02Z")
I’ve wondered the same thing before… [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=677575](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=677575) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/30 "2013-05-30T19:46:42Z")
It’s defined by its circular currents, basically. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/31 "2013-05-30T19:54:04Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > The other oceans are generally separated by large landmasses, continents. While they are connected, there is the fairly clear sense that one must go around “that” or go through “there” in order to get from one ocean to another. I see no similar distinction with the Southern Ocean, you go straight north from just about any point and you wind up in another ocean. There is some logic to basing a separation on the [Antarctic convergence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Convergence), south of which one finds different currents, weather, and life forms. The drawback is that then you have an ocean surrounded by . . . other oceans. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/32 "2013-05-30T20:55:12Z")
I’m so old, I think I was taught there were two oceans, Atlantic and Pacific. Beyond them, you could sail right off the face of the earth . . . if you avoided the sea serpents. Personally, I think the Southern Ocean smacks of PC. We’ve got an Arctic Ocean, so we need one in the Antarctic, or all the Southerners’ feelings will be hurt. Especially since it’s only an ocean if it steals areas from the other oceans. And who ever heard of an ocean with an entire continent plopped down in the middle of it? Somehow, a donut-shaped ocean, composed of parts of other oceans, just doesn’t cut it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/33 "2013-05-30T21:20:40Z")
In Pete Goss’ book _Close to the Wind_ he describes the Southern Ocean as a unique location based on weather patterns, etc. (the book describes his solo circumnavigation, during which he barely survives hurricane force winds, but does a 180, heading back into the storm, to save a French sailor he is racing against and is an excellent read) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/34 "2013-05-31T00:01:01Z")
And one ocean on Europa. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/35 "2013-05-31T00:10:19Z")
According to this: > **[How Many Oceans Are There In The World?](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-oceans-are-there-in-the-world.html)** > > Due to geographical, cultural, and historical reasons, it is widely accepted that there are five oceans: the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and the Southern Ocean. It was “officially recognized” in 2000. This thread is the first I’ve heard of it. EDIT: Oops I missed Left Hand of Dorkness’ cite ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/36 "2013-05-31T04:23:11Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The Seven Seas were the ones frequented by Mediterranean cultures – the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. How come the Adriatic gets to be one and not the Aegean (or the Tyrrhenian, come to that)? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/37 "2013-05-31T04:40:37Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > There is some logic to basing a separation on the [Antarctic convergence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Convergence), south of which one finds different currents, weather, and life forms. The drawback is that then you have an ocean surrounded by . . . other oceans. If you’re going to define oceans based on currents and weather, then the North Atlantic Ocean is different from the South Atlantic Ocean and ditto for the Pacific. I don’t know about life forms but I’d suspect those are different, too. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/38 "2013-05-31T05:49:34Z")
Well I’m glad I’m not the only one who made it to adulthood never having heard about the Southern Ocean. I don’t feel so bad anymore. Surprised I didn’t know about the earlier thread on this same exact topic! ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690/39 "2013-05-31T06:06:40Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > What’s unique about the Southern Ocean is that it’s the only one that allows unimpeded\* circumnavigation of the globe. > > \*With respect to land; ice might be a problem, though. If we’re ignoring ice, why can’t you do this in the Arctic Ocean? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-oceans/659690.md?page=1)