Since National Geographic began making maps in 1915, it has recognized four oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic Oceans. Starting on June 8, World Oceans Day, it recognized the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica as the world’s fifth ocean. “The Southern Ocean has long been recognized by scientists, but because there was never agreement internationally, we never officially recognized it,” says National Geographic Society Geographer Alex Tait.
What sort of creatures live in these freezing waters? More than you may expect - humpback whales, penguins, albatrosses (Saturday the 19th is World Albatross Day!), orcas and tiny marine invertebrates like krill thrive in this habitat.
