What is the difference between a sea and an ocean?
Question
What is the difference between a sea and an ocean?
Glenn, Farnham
Answer
** Definitive **
Name: Rosalyn, Hendon
Qualification: A level in Geography (even though it's a long time ago!
Answer: A sea is like a very large lake. By definition, a sea only has a very small outlet for the water to pour from. So although it's large enough to get a tidal effect, so the sea can go in and out, it's too small to have the very powerful effect of an ocean. An ocean has a myriad of different inlets and outlets. So the Mediterranean Sea has the Gilbratarian Strait, which is its narrow outlet. If you stand at Gibraltar with Africa in front of you, to your left-hand side you will see the calm waters of the Mediterranean and to the right, you'll see the breakers crunching into the land from the Atlantic Ocean.