The Most Popular Ocean, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the ocean you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:45
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and play a crucial role in our world's ecology, weather patterns, and even economies. Deciding on the most beloved ocean could enhance awareness and drive conservation efforts, making a difference in protecting these vast bodies of water. By ranking them according to popularity, we focus attention on their unique environments and the diverse life they support.
Each ocean has its own character and features that appeal differently to people around the globe. Voting on your preferred ocean brings out a global viewpoint on these marine landscapes, highlighting preferences that may align with scenic beauty, biodiversity, or personal adventures. This collective input can serve as a fun way to see which oceans stir the most admiration and why, encouraging greater interaction and appreciation for our planet's incredible marine resources.
What Is the Most Popular Ocean?
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171votes
CIA World Factbook · Public domainThe Pacific Ocean is the largest and the deepest ocean on the planet, covering almost one-third of the Earth's surface. It is home to a diverse range of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles.The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering an area of approximately 63 million square miles. It stretches from the western coast of North and South America to the eastern coasts of Asia and Australia. The Pacific Ocean is known for its vastness and its significant influence on global weather patterns.- Size: Approximately 63 million square miles
- Depth: Deepest point: Mariana Trench at 36,070 feet
- Location: Between the western coast of North and South America and the eastern coast of Asia and Australia
- Number of countries bordered: Over 60 countries
- Islands: Thousands of islands including Hawaii, Fiji, and Japan
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213votes
CIA · Public domainThe Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean in the world and is known for its strong currents and powerful storms. It is also home to a variety of marine life, including sea birds, fish, and marine mammals.The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean on Earth, covering approximately 20% of the planet's surface. It lies between the Americas to the west and Europe and Africa to the east. The Atlantic Ocean is significant for its role in global transportation, trade, and cultural exchange.- Size: Approximately 106,460,000 square kilometers
- Maximum Depth: 8,376 meters in the Puerto Rico Trench
- Average Depth: 3,339 meters
- Coastline Length: Approximately 111,866 kilometers
- Number of Countries with Coastline: 75
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329votes
United States Central Intelligence Agency · Public domainThe Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world and is known for its warm waters and rich marine life, including whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. It is also home to many coral reefs and other marine habitats.The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world, covering an area of about 27,240,000 square miles (70,560,000 square kilometers). It is located between Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Southern Ocean. The Indian Ocean is known for its rich marine biodiversity, diverse ecosystems, and strategic importance for trade and transportation.- Area: 27,240,000 square miles (70,560,000 square kilometers)
- Location: Between Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Southern Ocean
- Average Depth: 12,080 feet (3,682 meters)
- Deepest Point: Java Trench, approximately 25,344 feet (7,722 meters) deep
- Surface Temperature: Varies between 79-86°F (26-30°C)
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420votesThe Southern Ocean is the smallest and the youngest of the five oceans, and it surrounds Antarctica. It is known for its strong winds and high waves, and it is home to a variety of marine life, including penguins, seals, and whales.The Southern Ocean is the newest recognized ocean on Earth. It is located surrounding Antarctica and is sometimes referred to as the Antarctic Ocean. It was officially designated as a separate ocean by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in 2000.
- Location: Surrounding Antarctica
- Size: Approximately 20.3 million square kilometers
- Average Depth: Approximately 3,737 meters
- Maximum Depth: 7,235 meters (in South Sandwich Trench)
- Temperature Range: Between -2°C and 10°C
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516votes
CIA · Public domainThe Arctic Ocean is the smallest and the shallowest of the five oceans, and it is located around the North Pole. It is known for its harsh climate and is home to a variety of marine life, including polar bears, walruses, and whales.The Arctic Ocean is a vast and challenging biome located at the Earth's polar region. It is primarily composed of frozen seawater, and its unique conditions make it one of the most difficult environments to survive in. The extreme cold temperatures, limited food sources, and treacherous icy surfaces pose significant challenges to both humans and wildlife.- Harsh Winds: Strong winds can reach speeds over 160 km/h (100 mph)
- Salinity: Saltwater with lower salinity than other oceans due to freshwater input from melting ice
- Temperature Range: As low as -40°C (-40°F)
- Ice Cover: Approximately 14 million square kilometers
- Depth: Average depth of 1,038 meters (3,406 feet)
Arctic Ocean in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most difficult biome to survive in
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611votes
Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting) · Public domainThe Mediterranean Sea is a large body of water that is located between Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is known for its warm waters, beautiful beaches, and rich marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, and fish.The Mediterranean Sea is a body of water located between Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is surrounded by several countries including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, and Turkey, among others. It covers an area of approximately 2.5 million square kilometers and has a maximum depth of about 5,267 meters.- Area: 2.5 million square kilometers
- Maximum Depth: 5,267 meters
- Location: Between Europe, Africa, and Asia
- Surrounding Countries: Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, and others
- Average Salinity: 3.8-3.9%
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77votesThe Caribbean Sea is a large body of water that is located in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, beautiful coral reefs, and rich marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, and tropical fish.The Caribbean Sea is a tropical sea located in the Western Hemisphere, bordered by the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. It is known for its vibrant turquoise-blue waters, diverse marine life, and stunning tropical landscapes. The Caribbean Sea is a popular destination for tourism, with numerous resorts, beaches, and water sports activities available for visitors.
- Location: Western Hemisphere
- Bordered by: Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles
- Water color: Turquoise-blue
- Marine life: Diverse and abundant
- Landscapes: Tropical and stunning
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87votes
Serg!o · Public domainThe South China Sea is a large body of water that is located between Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. It is known for its warm waters, beautiful beaches, and rich marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, and fish.The South China Sea is a marginal sea in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is located south of China and its adjacent countries, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. The sea is an important strategic waterway and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It is rich in natural resources and is also a primary fishing area.- Area: 3,500,000 square kilometers
- Maximum Depth: 5,400 meters
- Average Depth: 1,200 meters
- Countries and Territories: China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei
- Coastline Length: approximately 55,000 kilometers
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96votesThe Red Sea is a large body of water that is located between Africa and Asia. It is known for its warm waters, beautiful coral reefs, and rich marine life, including dolphins, sharks, and tropical fish.The Red Sea is a saltwater inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia. It is famous for its unique ecosystem and vibrant coral reefs, making it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.
- Location: Between Africa and Asia
- Surface Area: 438,000 square kilometers
- Max Depth: 2,212 meters
- Length: 2,250 kilometers
- Width: 355 kilometers
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105votes
Tasman Sea
Abel TasmanThe Tasman Sea is a large body of water that is located between Australia and New Zealand. It is known for its beautiful beaches, rich marine life, and strong currents, which make it a popular spot for surfers and other water sports enthusiasts.The Tasman Sea is a marginal sea located between Australia and New Zealand. It is part of the southwestern Pacific Ocean and covers an area of about 2,000,000 square kilometers. The sea is named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first known European to sight and navigate through these waters in 1642.- Location: Between Australia and New Zealand
- Area: 2,000,000 square kilometers
- Max Depth: 5,600 meters
- Average Depth: 1,000 meters
- Width: 2,800 kilometers
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Ranking factors for popular ocean
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Area and SizeThe larger the ocean, the more significant it is in terms of marine life, human activities, and global climate.
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BiodiversityThe number of species and the variety of ecosystems found within the ocean contribute to its popularity and importance.
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Marine lifeOceans with abundant and diverse marine life, including iconic species such as whales, sharks, turtles, or coral reefs, could be considered more popular.
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Tourism and recreationOceans with popular tourist destinations, including beaches, resorts, or water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving attract attention and interest.
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Economic valueOceans that play a crucial role in global trade and industry, for example, through fishing or shipping activities, could be considered more popular.
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Cultural and historical significanceSome oceans are significant due to their role in history, myth, or folklore.
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Scientific interestOceans with unique geological formations, hydrothermal vents, or other natural phenomena can be attractive to researchers and may gain popularity for scientific discoveries.
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Environmental issues and awarenessOceans that face significant environmental challenges or that are the focus of conservation efforts, such as the Great Barrier Reef or the Arctic Ocean, tend to garner increased attention and popularity.
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Access and proximity to human populationsOceans that have more coastal nations and are easily accessible by humans tend to be more popular due to their influence on people's lives.
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Aesthetic valueOceans that offer breathtaking natural beauty, unique landscapes, or striking colors can be considered more popular among tourists and nature enthusiasts.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ocean. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ocean is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1499 views
- 181 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ocean once every 24 hours. The rank of each ocean is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular ocean
The world's oceans cover approximately 71% of the planet's surface, and they play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate and supporting life. From the expansive Pacific Ocean to the icy waters of the Arctic, each ocean has its unique characteristics and features, making them a subject of fascination and exploration for scientists and adventurers alike. But which ocean is the most popular among people? Whether it's the tropical beaches of the Caribbean, the rugged coastline of the Mediterranean, or the vastness of the Atlantic, people have their preferences when it comes to the world's oceans. In this article, we'll explore the most popular ocean according to StrawPoll's community of users.
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