How Many Seas in the World Are There?

The Travel Virgin is here to provide the best answer to the frequently asked question of “how many seas in the world are there?”Many people will recall the name of the sea that is close to where they live but may not recognize the name of other seas that exit. This article will define “sea”, provide a list of seas in the world, and also dispel a long-held belief as it relates to the existence of only “seven seas”.

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What is a Sea?-How Many Seas in the World Are There?
How Many Seas in the World?
Conclusion

What is a Sea?-How Many Seas in the World Are There?

A sea is a large body of saltwater that is most times partially enclosed by a large mass of land. Seas are located where the ocean meets the land. The only exception to this definition is the Sargasso Sea which is located in an open ocean and is without a land boundary. People may have believed that there are actually seven seas as the term “seven seas” was used for centuries to describe large water bodies which many interpreted as the actual amount of seas that existed. This is not true as there are many seas in the world. “Seven seas” in ancient times actually originated from referring to 7 oceanic bodies and not seven seas.

How Many Seas in the World?

Please see the list of seas located in different oceans below. Based on our list, there are actually over 70 seas in the world which includes counting seas that are located within a larger sea and seas which are called seas but may not quite meet the definition. The International Hydrographic Organization supports this by listing over 70 water bodies that are classified as seas. Most credible sources on the internet do not give an exact number but a rough estimation, because the definition “sea” has been debated based on interpretation. This is quite evident, based on the literature found on the National Geographic website which states:

Supporting Article: Blue-Growth

1. Seas of the Pacific Ocean-How Many Seas in the World Are There?

Arafura Sea
Bering Sea
Bohol Sea or Mindanao Sea
Celebes Sea
Coral Sea
Banda Sea
East China Sea
Flores Sea
Gulf of Alaska
Gulf of Carpentaria
Philippine Sea
Sea of Cortez or Gulf of California
Sea of Japan
Seto Inland Sea
Sea of Okhotsk
South China Sea
- Beibu Gulf
Sulu Sea
Tasman Sea
Yellow Sea
- Bohai Sea

2. Seas of the Atlantic Ocean

Baffin Bay
Caribbean Sea
Celtic Sea
English Channel
Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of St. Lawrence
Hudson Bay
- James Bay
Irish Sea
Mediterranean Sea
- Aegean Sea
- Mirtoon Sea
- Black Sea
  1. Sea of Azov
- Ionian Sea
- Tyrrhenian Sea
- Ligurian Sea
- Sea of Marmara
- Adriatic Sea
- Gulf of Sidra
- Sea of Crete
North Sea
- Baltic Sea
  - Gulf of Bothnia
Sargasso Sea

3. Seas of the Indian Ocean-How Many Seas in the World Are There?

Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal
Gulf of Aden
Gulf of Thailand
Java Sea
Gulf of Oman
Persian Gulf
Red Sea
Timor Sea

4. Seas of the Arctic Ocean

Barents Sea
Beaufort Sea
- Amundsen Gulf
Chukchi Sea
East Siberian Sea
Greenland Sea
Laptev Sea
Kara Sea

5. Seas of the Southern Ocean-How Many Seas in the World Are There?

Amundsen Sea
Great Australian Bight
Gulf St. Vincent
Ross Sea
Spencer Gulf

6. Landlocked Seas

Aral Sea
Caspian Sea
Dead Sea
Salton Sea
****Sea of Galilee (this is referred to as a sea but based on the definition of a sea, it would not classify as it is actually a lake with fresh water)

Conclusion

We hope The Travel Virgin has answered your question of “how many seas are there in the world?”. As per our credible support sources, no one has sought to give a definitive number but rather a rough estimate and a list, we are however certain that there are actually much more than “seven seas”.