Southern Ocean is world’s 5th ocean, National Geographic says

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World Oceans Day was June 8, 2021 and has been designated an unofficial “holiday” by the United Nations as a way for humanity to celebrate the world’s oceans.

In honor of World Oceans Day 2021, National Geographic has identified a fifth ocean called the Southern Ocean, the body of water surrounding Antarctica.

While all of Earth’s oceans are interconnected, National Geographic made the decision to highlight the Southern Ocean separately because of the wildlife, currents and ecological features that distinguish it from the Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

“The Southern Ocean has long been recognized by scientists, but because there was never agreement internationally, we never officially recognized it,” National Geographic Society Geographer Alex Tait said in a statement.

National Geographic said its purpose in identifying the Southern Ocean as a separate entity would highlight the region’s customized conservation needs and expand opportunity for scientific research and educational efforts.

The fifth ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean or Austral Ocean, will be reflected on maps in accordance with National Geographic’s map policy.
 

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