What is the difference between a sea and an ocean?

While both seas and oceans are large bodies of saltwater, there are some key differences that set them apart.

An ocean is a massive body of saltwater that covers a large portion of the Earth's surface. The five main oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. They are all interconnected and make up over 70% of the Earth's surface. Oceans are typically deeper and have more complex oceanic ecosystems than seas.

On the other hand, a sea is a smaller body of saltwater that is partially enclosed by land. Seas are usually shallower than oceans and are often connected to an ocean. They can also be partially enclosed by islands. Some examples of seas include the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean Sea.

Another difference is in the level of salinity. Oceans tend to have a higher salt content than seas, which can affect the types of organisms that live there.

In terms of human activities, oceans are used for activities such as shipping, fishing, and offshore drilling, while seas are often used for tourism and recreation activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and sailing.