Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean (pronunciation: /ætˈlæntɪk ˈoʊʃən/) is the second largest of the world's oceans. It covers approximately 20 percent of the Earth's surface and about 29 percent of its water surface area.

Etymology

The name Atlantic Ocean comes from the Greek god Atlas, who was part of the second-generation Titan of Greek mythology. The term "Atlantic", referring to the Atlas Mountains and the Sea of Atlas, was first used by Herodotus (about 450 BC) in his map of the world.

Related Terms

Ocean: A large body of salt water that is situated in a basin on Earth's surface.
Sea: A large body of salt water that is smaller than an ocean.
Titan (mythology): In Greek mythology, the Titans were the pre-Olympian gods.
Atlas (mythology): A Titan condemned to hold up the celestial heavens for eternity.
Atlas Mountains: A mountain range in the Maghreb, a region in North-west Africa.
Herodotus: A Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus in the Persian Empire.