Dividing the Ocean Sea^*

* The author wishes to thank Scott McEathron, David Woodward, and two anonymous reviewers for their help and insightful comments.

Abstract

The conventional view of global hydrography, which maps three or four oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and, sometimes, Arctic) did not emerge until the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Previously, markedly different conceptions of sea space prevailed, conceptions that changed not only to reflect new discoveries but also in accordance with changing intellectual fashions. By examining the history of global hydrography and by entertaining novel schemes of oceanic division, one can see the world afresh and perhaps discover connections that are obscured by conventional geographical divisions.

• cartography
• history of geographical thought
• oceans

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Martin W. Lewis

Dr. Lewis is an associate research professor of geography at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708–0405.