Traditional geography taught that the world has four oceans – Pacific, Atlantic, Ice and Indian. But the International Hydrographic Organization united the southern parts of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, creating a fifth addition to the list – the Southern Ocean. How many wonderful discoveries. It prepares an enlightened spirit. You are so confident in your knowledge. But science does not stand still. And not much of what we were taught in school has changed or supplemented. Remember this when you want to argue with someone about what you are so sure of.

In the spring of 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization decided to declare the water space north of the coast of Antarctica to 60° south latitude as a separate ocean - the South. The decision is based on the latest oceanographic data indicating the uniqueness of the waters surrounding Antarctica. In Russian tradition, the South Ocean is a conditional concept. Its approximate boundary is the Antarctic Convergence Zone (the northern boundary of Antarctic surface waters). In other countries, the border is also blurred - the width south of Cape Horn, the border of floating ice, the Antarctic Convention zone.

However, subsequently, the allocation of a separate Southern Ocean was rejected, and at the moment on Earth again officially four oceans.

Traditional geography wins.