The names of the oceans seem so familiar to us that we sometimes forget that behind each name there is a story. Who decided their names? Why are they called that way? These questions have an answer and to delve a little deeper into the history of the underwater world, we share with you The origin of the name of the oceans.
The planet is made up of 70% water, most of the Earth is covered by giant aqueous bodies of salt water that together form the so-called Global Ocean. But for its study and better classification, the Global Ocean It has been imaginarily divided by humanity into five great oceans. We have the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic, and Arctic oceans. The first three are considered major oceans, while the last two are called minor oceans.
But, why are they called this way? To find answers we have to go back in history. The first International Conference of Hydrographers whose objective was to define the limits of each ocean as well as their names, was carried out in 1919. From here the names arose, but their origin still goes back many centuries.
Pacific Ocean
The largest of all oceans, the origin of its name dates back to 1519, when the navigator Ferdinand Magellan began his journey across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a western route to the Spice Islands in Indonesia, through South America. After navigating rough and challenging waters through what we now know as the Strait of Magellan, he reached an unknown ocean in November 1520. baptized as Pacific, due to the tranquility of its waters after sailing through turbulence in the Indian Ocean. At the time, Magellan did not know it, but he was entering the largest ocean in the world.
Atlantic Ocean
It is perhaps the ocean with the most representative name, since the others have somewhat simple names. Initially baptized as the Great Western Ocean or Ethiopian Ocean, although this name would later change. The origin of his name dates back to the 6th century BC., at the very height of Greek culture. His name is related to Atlas, the Titan that held up the heavens according to the worldview of the Greeks. For this reason, it received the name of Atlantic to refer to the coast of northeastern Africa, where the Atlas Mountains are located.
Indian Ocean
The origin of the Indian name is very simple, this ocean is located east of Africa, bordering the south of the Middle East and west of Australia. Get your name because washes the coasts of India and Indonesia. In Indian cultures it is also known as the Sindhu Mahasagara.
Arctic Ocean
The Arctic is located to the north of the terrestrial globe, bathes the polar cap and is a minor ocean. Your name It derives from the Greek ἀρκτικός (arktikos), whose meaning is near the bear. It refers to the constellation of Ursa Major, which rises in the north of the celestial vault, it has also been associated with Ursa Minor, the constellation where Polaris lives, the star that navigators use to locate the North.
Antartic Ocean
Antarctica means opposite north, so the Antarctic Ocean would be the antipode of the north. It is the penultimate ocean in size and surrounds the entire southern continent.
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