Chapter - 2 Oceans and Continents

Chapter - 2  Oceans and Continents 

1. The Earth’s Surface

• The Earth's surface is made up of land and water.
• Land areas are called continents.
• Water bodies are called oceans and seas.

Oceans:- The largest bodies we see on the globe are called 'oceans'

Landmass:- A large body of land is called a 'landmass'

Continent:- A large continuous expanse of land is called a 'continent''

The Distribution of Water and Land on Earth

Oceans and continent are not distributed equally between the Northen and Southern Hemispheres.

🟦 Water and 🟫 Land – How is the Earth divided?

• The Earth’s surface is covered by two main parts:
• Water (like oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, etc.)
• Land (like continents and islands)

Sea

• A smaller part of an ocean, partly enclosed by land.
• Still contains saltwater.
• Example: Arabian Sea, Mediterranean Sea

Bay

• A water body that is partly enclosed by land, but smaller than a gulf.
• It is wide and opens into an ocean or sea.
• Example: Bay of Bengal

Gulf

• A large part of an ocean or sea that is deeply enclosed by land, more than a bay.
• Often has a narrow opening to the sea.
• Example: Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Kutch

Oceans of the World:- There are 5 oceans:

1. Pacific Ocean – Largest and deepest.
2. Atlantic Ocean – Second largest; separates the Americas from Europe and Africa.
3. Indian Ocean – Named after India.
4. Southern Ocean – Surrounds Antarctica.
5. Arctic Ocean – Smallest and located around the North Pole

It is clear from the map that they are not really separate. The lines that divide them on the map are no more the conventions - the natural world does not follow such boundaries. 

Marine:- Related to or found in the oceans and seas.

Flora:- The plant life of a particular region or period of time.

Fauna:- The animal life of a particular region or period of time.

Oceans and Disasters

Oceans are powerful and can cause or influence natural disasters such as:

1. Tsunami

• A huge sea wave caused by an earthquake under the ocean.
• Can cause major destruction when it hits the land.
• Example: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

2. Cyclone (Hurricane/Typhoon)

• A powerful storm that forms over warm ocean water.
• Causes strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding.
• Called:
• Cyclone in the Indian Ocean
• Hurricane in the Atlantic
• Typhoon in the Pacific

3. Floods

• Oceans or seas can overflow due to cyclones, heavy rain, or high tides.
• This can cause coastal flooding.

4. Tidal Waves / Storm Surges

• Strong winds from storms push ocean water toward the shore, flooding low-lying areas.

Continent: - Land is divided into seven continents:

1. Asia
2. Africa
3. North America
4. South America
5. Antarctica
6. Europe
7. Australia

Five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic games. It symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents - Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

What is an Island?

• An island is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water.
• It can be found in oceans, seas, rivers, or lakes.
• Islands can be small or large in size.

Ocean and Life:- Oceans and continents are vital parts of the environment and affect most aspects of our lives.

• Ocean send rain to the continent.
• This is the part of the Earth's water cycle.
• More than half of the world's osygen is produced by the oceans' Flora, which is why they are called  "The Planet Lungs".
• Regulating the climate and sustaining life on Earth.
• In early times people used oceans and seas to move or migrate to other region.
• People also use for trade or conduct military sampaigns.
• It is source of food.
• Oceans also nourished the culture of coastal people all over the world.

Questions – Oceans and Life

Fill in the blanks:

1. The Earth is covered with about ___% water.
2. The earth is called __________ planet.
3. The largest ocean is the __________ Ocean.
4. An __________ is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water
5. There are __________Oceans.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

Which of these is a water body?

a) Mountain

b) Ocean

c) Desert

d) Plain

Dolphins live in:

a) Forest

b) Desert

c) Ocean

d) Sky

What type of water is in oceans?

a) Fresh

b) Salt

c) Dirty

d) Boiled

Which ocean is around India?

a) Pacific

b) Arctic

c) Indian

d) Atlantic

What should we do to protect the ocean?

a) Throw plastic in it

b) Catch all fish

c) Keep it clean

d) Pour oil in it

True or False:

1. Whales live in the ocean. (True/False)
2. Oceans do not affect the weather. (True/False)
3. Coral reefs are found in deserts. (True/False)
4. Plastic can harm ocean animals. (True/False)
5. Oceans help in giving us rain. (True/False)