The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Oceans

Background Pacific Ocean, in 26 editions.

The entry for Pacific Ocean published Background in 26 editions of 36, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 6 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
6
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2000 to 2025).

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2025 edition

Same as 2024

Open the 2025 entry

The same text in 2024 and 2025.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five ocean basins (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The International Hydrographic Organization decision in 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean basin, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south. For convenience and because of its immense size, the Pacific Ocean is often divided at the Equator and designated as the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans ocean basins (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization decision in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, world ocean basin, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south. For convenience and because of its immense size, the Pacific Ocean is often divided at the Equator and designated as the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “Pacific Ocean: Background.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/pacific-ocean/background.

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