Southern Ocean
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| Southern Ocean
| |
|---|---|
| Area | 20.327 million sq km |
| Coastline | 17,968 km |
| Lowest Point | -7,235 m (South Sandwich Trench) |
The Southern Ocean was defined by the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000 through a vote of member states.[1] It extends from Antarctica to 60 degrees S latitude, a border chosen to include the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
Most Australians consider the Southern Ocean to extend further north than the official definition, to meet the south coast of Australia.
The Southern Ocean is the fourth largest ocean on Earth, ahead of the Arctic Ocean.