Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
TNSTC Hall Ticket 2025 Bihar Police Question Paper 2025 GUJCET Merit List 2025 REET Notification 2025 UP GIC Lecturer and Assistant Professor Notification 2025 RPSC Senior Teacher 2025 Notification RPSC School Lecturer 2025 Notification UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 UGC NET June 2025 Result Date Bihar Sakshamta Pariksha Admit Card 2025 UP LT Grade Teacher Notification 2025 in Hindi UP LT Grade Teacher 2025 Notification UPSC CMS Admit Card 2025 Out HTET New Exam Date 2025 OTET Admit Card 2025 RRB Railway Teacher Application Status 2025 CSIR NET Exam Date 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
ISRO Space Missions
NVS-02 ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-A ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-B ISRO Space Mission Proba-3 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-N2 ISRO Space Mission EOS-08 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DS ISRO Space Mission XPoSat ISRO Space Mission Aditya-L1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-3 ISRO Space Mission NVS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-07 ISRO Space Mission INS-2B ISRO Space Mission EOS-06 ISRO Space Mission EOS-02 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-24 ISRO Space Mission INS-2TD ISRO Space Mission EOS-04 ISRO Space Mission EOS-03 ISRO Space Mission CMS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-01 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-30 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2BR1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan 2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2B ISRO Space Mission EMISAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-31 ISRO Space Mission Microsat-R ISRO Space Mission GSAT-7A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-11 ISRO Space Mission HysIS ISRO Space Mission GSAT-29 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1I ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6A ISRO Space Mission INS-1C ISRO Space Mission Microsat ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1H ISRO Space Mission GSAT-17 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-19 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-9 ISRO Space Mission Cartosat-2 Series Satellite INS-1A ISRO Space Mission INS-1B ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-18 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DR ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1G ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1F ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-15 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1D ISRO Space Mission Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) ISRO Space Mission GSAT-16 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1C ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1B ISRO Space Mission GSAT-14 ISRO Space Mission Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft GSAT-7 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3D ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1A ISRO Space Mission SARAL ISRO Space Mission GSAT-10 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-1 ISRO Space Mission Megha-Tropiques ISRO Space Mission GSAT-12 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-8 ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2 ISRO Space Mission YOUTHSAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-5P ISRO Space Mission GSAT-4 ISRO Space Mission Oceansat-2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-1 ISRO Space Mission IMS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4CR ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4B ISRO Space Mission SRE-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4A ISRO Space Mission HAMSAT ISRO Space Mission EDUSAT ISRO Space Mission IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3A ISRO Space Mission KALPANA-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3C ISRO Space Mission GSAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3B ISRO Space Mission Oceansat(IRS-P4) ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2E ISRO Space Mission IRS-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2D ISRO Space Mission IRS-P3 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2C ISRO Space Mission IRS-P2 ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1E ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C ISRO Space Mission IRS-1B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1C ISRO Space Mission SROSS-2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1B ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-D2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1A ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-II ISRO Space Mission Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) ISRO Rohini Satellite RS-D1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-I ISRO Space Mission Aryabhata ISRO Space Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Sea vs Ocean

Sea and Ocean - Differences, Definition With Features And Examples

Last Updated on Sep 26, 2023
Also Read Sea vs Ocean in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism In India Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The sea and the ocean are both bodies of water, but they have many differences and similarities. The difference between a sea and an ocean is that seas are smaller than oceans. They are generally found where land and ocean meet, and land partially encloses. There are approximately 50 seas in the world. 

The ocean is a large body of open water. It is majorly categorized into five: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. It covers approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface.

Fig: Oceans and Seas of the World

The Difference between Sea and Ocean is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination. It falls under the Geography section of General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary). In this article, we shall discuss the Salient Features of Seas and Oceans, their differences, similarities and their Significance, etc.

Click on this link to download the Geography Notes for UPSC!

Difference between Seas and Oceans

The following table explains the differences between seas and oceans:

Point of Difference

Seas

Oceans

Size

Seas are smaller than oceans and are generally found where land and sea meet.

Oceans are larger than seas in both area and depth.

Number

In the world, there are about 50 seas. Some of the Major Seas are

  • Arabian sea
  • Red sea
  • Mediterranean sea
  • South China sea
  • Erythrean sea
  • Caspian sea, etc.

There are five oceans on the earth:

  • Pacific Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Southern Ocean.

Salinity

Water evaporation is greater in seas, resulting in saltier seas.

  • Since salt does not evaporate, seawater has a higher density of sodium chloride than oceans.
    • The Dead Sea has a salinity of 33.7%, making it the saltiest body of water on earth.

The oceans have lower salinity than the seas.

Ocean currents help to regulate ocean salinity.

  • Ocean currents work similarly to a conveyor belt, transporting water from the equator to the poles. Thus, the movement of ocean water through currents regulates ocean salinity.

Depth

In comparison to the ocean, sea depth is shallow.

Oceans are generally much deeper than seas.

  • The Challenger Deep is the deepest part of the world’s ocean, located in the western Pacific Ocean at the southern end of the Mariana Trench.

Interconnectivity

Seas may be interconnected or may not be interconnected to oceans and other seas.

The five oceans are one large interconnected water body on Earth.

Encircling

Seas are generally located close to land. Seas may be entirely or partially surrounded by land.

  • Examples: Caspian and Aral seas are entirely enclosed or landlocked, whereas the Red, and Mediterranean seas, are partially enclosed.

Oceans are generally located far away from land.

Habitation or Life

A wide range of marine life inhabits seas because they are generally close to land.

  • Large marine species are present in the seas as a result of photosynthesis being made possible by sunlight penetrating deeper into the water.

Oceans have less aquatic life than Seas because they are deeper and far away from the land.

  • Ocean life is generally limited to bacteria, shrimp, and microscopic plankton. This is because sunlight does not penetrate deep into the oceans.

Uses

Seas are crucial for transportation, but they are better known for beachside tourism, fishing, and sporting events.

International trade, mining, the extraction of natural gases, and crude oil are the main uses of the oceans.

Click on this link to download the notes on the Caspian Sea for UPSC!

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

What is Sea?

The sea is a large body of saltwater that covers a significant part of the Earth's surface. It is composed of interconnected oceans, seas, and other water bodies. The sea is home to a diverse range of marine life and plays a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems.

Salient Features of Sea

  • A vast expanse of saltwater covers around 71% of the Earth's surface.
  • Contains high levels of salt, making it unsuitable for drinking.
  • Provides habitats for a wide variety of marine plants and animals.
  • Varies in depth, with some areas being shallow and others extremely deep.
  • Experiences regular tidal movements. The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun causes these tides.
  • Influences weather patterns and helps regulate the Earth's climate.
  • Supports human activities such as transportation, fishing, tourism, and resource extraction.
  • Plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of Earth's ecosystems and sustaining life.

Examples of Sea

Sea Name

Location

Notable Features

Mediterranean Sea

Between Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia

Rich history, diverse cultures, scenic coastlines

Caribbean Sea

Western Hemisphere

Turquoise waters, tropical climate, numerous islands

Red Sea

Northeastern Africa and Arabian Peninsula

Unique marine life, coral reefs, popular for diving

Adriatic Sea

Southern Europe

Scenic coastlines, Italy to Balkans

Arabian Sea

Northern Indian Ocean

Vital shipping routes, borders Arabian Peninsula

South China Sea

Southeast Asia

Complex geopolitical issues, territorial disputes

Baltic Sea

Northern Europe

Brackish waters, surrounded by multiple countries

Black Sea

Eastern Europe and Western Asia

Unique geological history, important trade routes

Sea of Japan

Between Japan and Korean Peninsula

Distinct marine ecosystems

Tasman Sea

Between Australia and New Zealand

Connects Pacific Ocean to Coral Sea

Click on this link to download the notes on the Rising Oceans, Sinking Cities for UPSC!

What is Ocean?

An ocean is a vast body of saltwater. It covers a significant part of the Earth's surface and is larger than a sea. Oceans are the largest and deepest bodies of water on Earth.

Salient Features of Ocean

  • Oceans cover the majority of the Earth's surface, with five main oceans, namely: 
    • Pacific Ocean, 
    • Atlantic Ocean, 
    • Indian Ocean, 
    • Southern Ocean, and 
    • Arctic Ocean.
  • They contain a tremendous amount of water. 
  • Oceans have varying depths, including trenches and ridges. The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on Earth.
  • They support a diverse range of marine life, including whales, fish, corals, and plankton.
  • Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. They absorb heat, influence weather patterns, and store carbon dioxide.
  • They provide valuable resources such as fish, minerals, and energy sources like oil and gas.
  • Oceans are interconnected and are vital for global transportation and trade.

Examples of Ocean

Ocean Name

Location

Notable Features

Pacific Ocean

Largest ocean, spans Asia, Oceania, the Americas

Home to diverse marine life, vast expanse

Atlantic Ocean

Between the Americas, Europe, and Africa

Known for the Gulf Stream, vital trade routes

Indian Ocean

Borders Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent

Rich biodiversity, monsoon system

Southern Ocean

Surrounds Antarctica

Home to unique cold-water species, polar climate

Arctic Ocean

Surrounds the Arctic region

Icy and cold, vital for global climate regulation

Click on this link to download the notes on the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research for UPSC!

Similarities between the Seas and Oceans

Here are some similarities between the Seas and Oceans:

  • The sea and the ocean are both saltwater bodies.
  • Both sea and the ocean support life and are part of the carbon cycle.
  • Both ocean and sea are responsible for 50-80% of all oxygen production on Earth.
  • They contain approximately 96.5% of all water on Earth and are the largest reservoirs of water on earth.

Click on this link to download the notes on the Movements of Ocean Water for UPSC!

Significance of Seas and Oceans

Seas and oceans cover more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface and have several important roles.

  • They serve as transportation routes for international trade by ships.
  • Oceans and seas play a crucial part in the Earth's water cycle. They affect weather patterns and rainfall.
  • Phytoplankton, tiny organisms in the oceans and seas, produce at least 50% of the Earth's oxygen.
  • They act as a natural carbon reservoir. They absorb around one-fourth of human-produced CO2 emissions.
  • Many people rely on the seas and oceans for employment and as a source of food.
  • Oceans and seas have the potential to support sustainable development and economic growth.
  • The global economy benefits from oceans, with an estimated value added of $1.5 trillion per year. This could increase to $3 trillion by 2030.
  • Fishing, a primary activity in oceans, provides employment for about 58.5 million people. This includes about 21% of women, according to the FAO.

Click on this link to download the notes on the Ocean Floor and its Features for UPSC!

Conclusion

Ocean and sea are an important part of our ecological system, and hence understanding the difference between the two becomes crucial. Many times, people use these words interchangeably, but both are not exactly the same. The major differences between sea and ocean are based on their size, salinity, depth, interconnectivity, habitation, use etc.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Difference between Sea and Ocean - FAQs

The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans, and they hold approximately 96.5% of all the water on Earth.

The ocean's average depth is about 3,688 metres (12,100 feet), but the Pacific Ocean is the deepest water body, with an average depth of about 4,000 metres.

The deepest part of the ocean, known as the Challenger Deep, is located beneath the western Pacific Ocean at the southern end of the Mariana Trench, at a depth of approximately 10,935 metres.

Oceans and seas provide us with food, regulate our climate, and produce the majority of the oxygen we breathe and are also the backbone of a large portion of the global economy, supporting industries like tourism, fisheries, and international trade.

Oceans are larger bodies of water, while seas are smaller and usually found where land and ocean meet.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice