No, there are not 12 oceans.
While the exact number of recognized oceans can vary depending on the source and the criteria used, the most widely accepted view is that there are five distinct oceans in the world. Some consider there to be only one global ocean. Historically, only four oceans have been named: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic.
Here's a breakdown:
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The One Global Ocean: Some consider all the world's bodies of saltwater to be one interconnected global ocean, sometimes called the World Ocean.
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Five Named Oceans: The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) officially recognizes five oceans:
- Pacific Ocean: The largest and deepest ocean.
- Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest ocean.
- Indian Ocean: Located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Arctic Ocean: The smallest and shallowest ocean, located around the North Pole.
- Southern (Antarctic) Ocean: Surrounds Antarctica, and is defined by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
Therefore, the statement that there are 12 oceans is incorrect.
