There are five oceans in the world - the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic oceans. The Pacific Ocean is the largest, covering 64 million square miles, while the Arctic is the smallest at 5 million square miles. Oceans play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate by storing heat and influencing wind and ocean currents, which can create storms. The oceans contain a diversity of life, from coral reefs and fish to dolphins, sharks, and jellyfish. Oceans are also economically and environmentally important, covering most of the Earth's surface and providing resources, transportation, jobs, and more.

1. The Oceans

2. Names of the Oceans There are five Oceans in the WorldArctic OceanAtlantic OceanIndian OceanPacific OceanSouthern Oceanhttp://www.uwsp.edu/geO/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/coastal_systems/oceans.jpg

3. Facts The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean (64 million sq miles!)The average temperature of the oceans is 39 degreesThe average depth of the ocean is close to 2.3 milesThe Arctic ocean is the smallest ( 5 million sq miles )http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/biomes/ofacts.html

4. The Ocean and Climate The Oceans play a critical role in storing heat.When the earth's surface cools or is heated by the sun, the temperature change is greater - and faster - over the land than over the oceans.The ocean's waters are constantly being moved about by powerful currentsSurface currents are largely wind-drivenThe currents and wind can create storms (hurricanes, etc)http://www.gdrc.org/oceans/fsheet-01.html

5. Ocean LifeThere are many, many living organisms in the ocean.Coral reefs are living FishDolphinsSharksJelly fishWhat are other living organisms?http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/OEDV/ODS2004/image/ocean_animals_color_600.jpg

6. Importance of Oceans The ocean covers 70% of the earth’s surface.Provides us with natural resources Provides transportationProvides jobshttp://www.marine.usf.edu/pjocean/packets/f98/f98u1le1.pdf

7. Why is the Ocean Salty?Salt is a mineral in rocks and soil.Water flows and picks it upThe rivers bring it to the oceanThis has been happening for a long time so the water is really salty