While often discussed as a single global system, geographers divide the ocean into five distinct basins based on size and location:
: Surrounding Antarctica, it is the newest named ocean and known for its cold, harsh environment. Oceans
: The largest and deepest, covering more area than all Earth's landmasses combined. While often discussed as a single global system,
The ocean is structured into vertical zones defined by depth and light penetration: Ocean habitat | National Geographic Kids Oceans
: The smallest and shallowest, located around the North Pole. Layers of the Deep