For those lucky enough to live near it, the ocean is a source of endless summer fun. It’s a place to build sand castles, fly kites, collect shells, capture crabs, ride the waves, snorkel, scuba dive, and surf.
Of course, you can also picnic and catch some rays on the beach. But the ocean is a great deal more than that.
Oceans are full of things we need, including food (from fish to seaweed), plus salt, fertilizers, and sand and gravel for building. Did you know we get dyes and minerals from the ocean? On top of that, we find natural gas in oceans, and about one-quarter of the world’s oil.
All through history, the ocean has offered adventurers the chance to discover new lands and better sea routes. People have long sailed the seas to exchange goods and ideas. Today, ocean-goers still can explore the world. Cruise ships ferry people from continent to continent and to remote areas, offering, along the way, some of the most diverse and magnificent sights: blue whales, seals, and manta rays, to name just a few.
For the Greek writer Homer, the ocean was “the source of all.” For Sir Isaac Newton, it was the place where truth lay, undiscovered. Whether you view the ocean symbolically or in practical terms, it is an essential part of life on Earth. Pull on a wet suit and some flippers, and come along on an unforgettable trip with Kids Discover.