All About the Sea

Though many people consider the terms ocean and sea to be interchangeable, they are in fact two separate and distinct entities. A sea is generally defined as a large body of salt water connected in some way to a larger ocean; however, there are exceptions to this rule commonly referred to as landlocked seas.

There are more than 80 different seas around the world associated with five primary oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Southern oceans. Each ocean has its own unique set of seas that it connects to. For example, the Yellow Sea feeds into the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea feeds into the Atlantic Ocean, the Arabian Sea feeds into the Indian Ocean, the White Sea feeds into the Arctic Ocean and the Scotia Sea feeds into the Southern Ocean. The Pacific boasts the most connected seas with nearly 30.

Landlocked seas, such as the Caspian Sea, Salton Sea or Dead Sea, are not directly connected to any ocean, yet still maintain a heavy saline (salt) water concentration. The Sea of Galilee, a small freshwater lake in Israel still referred to as a sea, is one of few exceptions. The great lakes of North America are also often referred to as inland seas.

Discover more information about the great seas of our planet below, including information on sea minerals, sea food, sea life, sea animals and more!