Earth's Ocean Currents and Continents

The equator is halfway between the North and South Poles, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The countries that lie completely on the equator are Colombia, Brazil, Congo, Kenya, and Somalia.

The Prime Meridian is the line of 0° longitude, which is the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around the Earth. It is an arbitrary line, not a physical feature.

<p>The Prime Meridian passes through England, Spain, and France.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The five distinct regions of the global ocean are the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Southern Ocean.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The recognition of the Southern Ocean as the fifth distinct ocean region by the National Geographic Society in 2021 reflects the growing importance and focus on the unique characteristics of the seas around Antarctica.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Seafarers rely on ocean currents to avoid getting stuck in the ocean's 'dead zones'. Ocean currents move water both horizontally and vertically, and seafarers must account for these movements to navigate effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, including ocean currents, due to the rotation of the Earth. This effect plays a significant role in the direction and patterns of ocean currents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The five ocean regions are differentiated by their geographic locations, with the Pacific Ocean between Asia and the Americas, the Atlantic Ocean between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the Indian Ocean between Africa, Europe, and Asia, the Arctic Ocean in the northern part of the globe, and the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The equatorial region, located along the equator, is characterized by a tropical climate with high temperatures and precipitation year-round. This climate has significant implications for the human geography of the region, including the types of agriculture, infrastructure, and economic activities that can be supported.</p> Signup and view all the answers