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What is the difference between an Ocean and a Sea?
People often use the terms "ocean" and "sea" interchangeably. However, there is a difference
between the two terms. Oceans are very large bodies of water that covers three-quarters
of the earth's surface. The five oceans in descending order of area are the Pacific,
Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. These oceans comprise the "World Ocean."
A Sea, on the other hand, is much smaller and is usually located where the land and
ocean meet. A sea can be partially or completely enclosed by land.
The Red Sea and Yellow Sea are examples of partially enclosed or marginal seas. The Red
Sea is connected to the Indian Ocean by a narrow strait called Bab-el-Mandeb.
The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea, which is a marginal
sea of the Pacific Ocean. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula.
The Caspian Sea is an example of a landlocked sea located between Asia and Europe.