National Geographic recognizes 5 oceans

Since National Geographic began making maps in 1915, it has recognized four oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans. Starting on the World Oceans Day 2021 (June 8) it has also recognized the Southern Ocean as the world’s fifth ocean. 

It has long been recognized by scientists, but the lack of an international agreement kept the editors from formally adding it to the list.

While the other oceans are defined by the continents that fence them in, the Southern Ocean is defined by a current: the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which surrounds it.

The ACC flows from