An ocean is bigger than a sea.
Understanding the Difference Between Oceans and Seas
Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover most of the Earth's surface. They are not enclosed by land. Seas, on the other hand, are typically smaller bodies of saltwater, often partially enclosed by land, and are usually considered part of a larger ocean. Think of seas as smaller, more contained sections of the larger ocean.
Several sources confirm this:
- NOAA: A sea is generally smaller than an ocean and usually part of a larger ocean, partially enclosed by land. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/oceanorsea.html
- UNESCO: Seas are often enclosed by land, while oceans represent much larger bodies of open water. https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/ocean-and-seas/
- Dictionary.com: An ocean is one of the major divisions of the world's water, while a sea is a smaller portion of this. https://www.dictionary.com/e/ocean-vs-sea/
- Geography Realm: Oceans are significantly larger than seas, both in surface area and depth. https://www.geographyrealm.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-sea-and-an-ocean/
Even the smallest ocean, the Arctic Ocean, is larger than the largest seas. The Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean, dwarfs all seas in size.
Examples:
- The Pacific Ocean is significantly larger than the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Atlantic Ocean is much larger than the Black Sea.
