2. Approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by ocean that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.

3. Life within the ocean evolved 3 billion years prior to life on land.

4. Scientists estimate that 230,000 marine life forms of all types are currently known, but the total could be up to 10 times that number.

5. Though generally described as several ‘separate’ oceans, these waters comprise one global, interconnected body of salt water sometimes referred to as the World Ocean or global ocean.

6. The major oceanic divisions are defined in part by the continents, various archipelagos, and other criteria.

7. Pacific Ocean, which separates Asia and Australia from the Americas.  Atlantic Ocean separates the Americas from Eurasia and Africa. Indian Ocean washes upon southern Asia and separates Africa and Australia. Southern Ocean unlike other oceans has no landmass separating it from other oceans and is therefore sometimes subsumed as the southern portions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, which encircles Antarctica and covers much of the Antarctic. Arctic Ocean, sometimes considered a sea of the Atlantic covers much of the Arctic and washes upon northern North America and Eurasia

8. The ocean has a significant effect on the biosphere. Oceanic evaporation, as a phase of the water cycle, is the source of most rainfall, and ocean temperatures determine climate and wind patterns that affect life on land.

9. Both the depth and distance from shore strongly influence the amount and kinds of plants and animals that live there.

10. The deepest point in the ocean is the Mariana Trench, located in the Pacific Ocean near the Northern Mariana Islands. Its maximum depth has been estimated to be 10,971 metres.