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Palm Tree

The term "ocean" refers to the large, open expanse of water that covers most of the earth's surface. There are seven major oceans and hundreds of smaller ones.

A sea is body of water surrounded by land.

The difference between the two is largely in the definition of the two words, but the terms are often used interchangeably.

The difference between Sea and Ocean is largely in the geography and climate of the areas they cover. The ocean is a large body of water, whereas the sea is shallow.

The ocean has a much greater surface area than the sea does, but the sea is smaller and less dense.

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Green Leaf

The oceans are often considered saltwater, while the vast majority of seas are saline.

The depth of the water determines its salinity. Freshwater rivers off the coast of a land mass dump their output into the sea, which dilutes the salt content of the ocean.

The difference between the ocean and the sea is also important the oceans can affect the weather on land. While the sea can be an important factor in determining climate, it cannot affect the weather.

While the biggest ocean is called the Atlantic Ocean, the biggest sea is called the South China Sea.