In the ‘What does my third grader know that I don’t know department’ is this tidbit of information. Apparently, between when I was in third grade and now, they’ve added an ocean.
I don’t know who the ‘they’ is that has that power, but I am informed by my resident expert in all things oceanic that somewhere around 2000, the perennial lineup of four oceans – the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic – was deemed inadequate for all the duties required of oceans.
This necessitated the addition of the Southern Ocean, a result of the generosity of the three bordering oceans who each agreed to donate all their water south of the 60th parallel (in exchange, it is rumored, for a sea to be named later).
So now the rest of us who went to third grade a long time ago know.
Gus/Adri
Ooohh! It hurts when the kids know more than you do! Get used to it; it will probably happen repeatedly from now on. But as long as he still thinks you're a great dad….;)–ae
Val P.
Yes, they added an ocean and subtracted a planet to even it out. Of course, when I was taking world geography, Asia had 4 or 5 countries and Africa had 13. Just glad I'm not having to sit in geography classes today.WAY too many countries and capitals to memorize!
Gus/Adri
I know; they made a new ocean to keep the three big oceans from fighting about their longitudinal boundaries!ge