Many of us thought the world had four oceans-the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. That's what we (teach) in school. However, a search on the Internet will show that there is also "Southern Ocean" around the South Pole and Antarctica (南极洲). The National Geographic Society has now (official) accepted that this body of water around Antarctica is a real ocean. Alex Tait, a geographer, said, "We think it's really important an educational viewpoint, as well as from a map-labelling standpoint, (bring) attention to the Southern Ocean as a fifth ocean. " Geography teachers will now have to teach their students that the world has five oceans.
National Geographic said its recognition of the world having a fifth ocean would have an impact onchildren see the world. Mr Tait said, "Students learn information about the world through what(ocean) they're studying. If you don't include the Southern Ocean, then they don't learn how important it is. " He said tha(recognize) the Southern Ocean would help students understand more about climate change. He wrote, "Antarctica forms a distinct ecological region(define) by ocean currents and temperatures. " National Geographic said, " The Southern Ocean has unique and fragile marine (海洋的) ecosystems that are home to(wonder) marine life such as whales, penguins and seals. "
