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Why did they change the name of the Southern Ocean?
All responding members, except Argentina, agreed that the ocean surrounding Antarctica should be created and given a single name. Eighteen of the 28 responding countries preferred calling the ocean the Southern Ocean over the alternative name Antarctic Ocean, so the former is the name that was selected.
When did Southern Ocean get its name?
Soon after, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognized the body of water as the fifth ocean in 1999 after the Board of Geographic Names approved the title, “Southern Ocean,” reports Paulina Firozi for the Washington Post.
Did the Southern Ocean used to be called something else?
The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60° S latitude and encircling Antarctica.
How were the oceans named?
The ocean gets its name from the Greek word “Arktos” meaning bear. Early Greeks identified the constellation – Ursa Major or Great Bear, as the navigational guide pointing to the North Star or Polaris. From that period, mariners have used this information to navigate the seas with reference to the North Star.
Why is the Pacific Ocean called the Pacific Ocean?
Explorer Ferdinand Magellan named the Pacific Ocean in the 16th Century. He called this body of water pacific, due to the calmness of the water at the time (‘pacific’ means peaceful). When Magellan and his crew entered the Pacific Ocean after their long journey, they thought that the Spice Islands were close at hand.
What is another name for the Southern Ocean?
Many members of the IHO, according to National Geographic, have referred to the Southern Ocean as the Antarctic Ocean or the Austral Ocean.
When was the ocean officially recognized by the National Geographic Society?
The National Geographic Society recognized the ocean officially in June 2021. Prior to this, it depicted it in a typeface different from the other world oceans; instead, it shows the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans extending to Antarctica on both its print and online maps.
Why did National Geographic name a body of water?
Dubbed the Southern Ocean, the body of water’s recognition by National Geographic aims to promote conservation and awareness to the fragile ecosystem where thousands of marine species like whales, seals, and penguins live, reports Sarah Gibbens for National Geographic. The National Geographic Society has been making maps for over a century.
What makes the Southern Ocean so unique?
As described in National Geographic by NOAA marine scientist Seth Sykora-Bodie, the Southern Ocean is unique in that “the glaciers are bluer, the air colder, the mountains more intimidating and the landscapes more captivating than anywhere else you can go.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WyWTOstxOQ