The Atlantic Ocean is huge. And, the Indian Ocean is big, too. But, the biggest ocean of all is the Pacific.
The U. S. has five states that border the Pacific Ocean. Those states are: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Hawaii is the only state that’s totally surrounded by the Pacific.
The Pacific Ocean is so big that it covers about one-third (1/3) of the Earth’s surface. That makes it bigger than all the Earth’s land masses put together!
The Pacific Ocean separates the continents of Asia and Australia from the continents of North and South America. So, if you were on a space station looking down at the whole Pacific Ocean, you’d see Asia and Australia on the western side of the Pacific (the west is the left-hand side). And, you’d see North America and South America on the eastern side of the Pacific (the eastern side is the right-hand side).
Quotes About Nature
“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.”
John Ruskin
“The landscape belongs to the man who looks at it.”
Henry David Throeau
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Albert Einstein
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters.”
John Lubbock
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds us in its net of wonder forever.”
Jacques Cousteau
About Hawaii
It’s a Fact: Hawaii was the 50th state to join the United States of America. Hawaii became a state in 1959.
It’s a Fact: Hawaii is a string of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands were formed by volcanoes. Some Hawaiian volcanoes are still active.
It’s a Fact: Hawaii has eight main islands. People live on seven of those Islands. The biggest island is called Hawaii (it’s nicknamed “The Big Island”). The most highly populated island is Oahu.
It’s a Fact: The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu. Honolulu, which is also the biggest city in Hawaii, is located on Oahu.
It’s a Fact: The abbreviation for Hawaii is HI.
Fun Fact: The average depth of the Pacific Ocean is 13,000 feet, which is about 4,000 meters or about 2.5 miles.
Fun Fact: The deepest spot of any ocean on Earth is located in the Pacific, at a place called the Mariana Trench. At its deepest known point, the water there is over 36,000 feet. That’s so deep that if you could drop the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest, into the Mariana Trench, the top of the mountain would still be a mile under water.
Fun Fact: The Pacific Ocean is surrounded by lots of volcanoes and earthquake zones. About 80% of the world’s earthquakes take place in and around the Pacific Ocean.
Fun Fact: It is estimated that there are approximately 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Fun Fact: The Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan gave the Pacific Ocean its name. He called it “Pacifico” (or Pacific) which means “peaceful.” Magellan first sailed into the Pacific waters on a calm and peaceful day. But sometimes, the Pacific Ocean can be the exact opposite.
Fun Fact: In the first chapter of The Mystery of the Disappearing Dogs, the Ryder family saw the Pacific Ocean from the window of their train!
Just for fun,
How many U.S. states have beaches that border on the Pacific Ocean: 5, 10, 25, or 50?
Is the deepest spot in the Pacific Ocean called the Mariana Well, the Mariana Trench, or the Mariana Black Hole?
Is the state of Hawaii one island or several islands?
When he named the Pacific Ocean, did Magellan think its waters were peaceful or dangerous?
If you have time, you can write a story of your own.
Here are a couple of ideas you can choose from.
Idea #1: Write a story about some of the amazing facts you learned about the Pacific Ocean,
Or
Idea #2 If you could get on a boat and sail anywhere on the Pacific Ocean, where would you go? And why would you want to go there?
To help you write a great essay, we have some helpful hints and timely tips.
Check out “10 Tips for Writing Better Essays.”
Here's a Riddle for You:
What do you use to cut the sea in half?
For fun-to-read books about a girl detective who homeschools on a train... check out The Mystery Ryders, a series from the creators of the Homeschool Express.
