When it comes to bodies of water, there are many different types, and it can be confusing to know the difference between them. A lake, sea, river, and an ocean are all distinct bodies of water that have their own unique characteristics.
A lake is a body of water that is surrounded by land on all sides. Lakes can vary in size from small ponds to large bodies of water like Lake Superior or Lake Victoria. Lakes are usually fed by rivers or streams and can be either freshwater or saltwater depending on their location.
A sea is a large body of saltwater that is partially enclosed by land. Seas are typically connected to oceans but can also be completely enclosed by land like the Dead Sea or the Caspian Sea. Seas tend to have higher salinity levels than oceans due to their smaller size and lack of connection with other bodies of water.
Rivers are long, narrow bodies of freshwater that flow from one place to another. Rivers usually originate in mountains or hills and flow downhill until they reach an ocean, lake, or another river. Rivers provide important sources of drinking water for humans and animals alike as well as transportation routes for boats and ships.
An ocean is the largest body of saltwater on Earth and covers more than 70% of the planet’s surface area. Oceans are connected to each other through straits and channels and contain some of the deepest parts of the planet’s surface such as the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean which has a depth greater than 11 kilometers (7 miles). Oceans also contain a variety of marine life including fish, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Lakes, seas, rivers, and oceans are all distinct types of bodies of water with their own unique characteristics. Lakes are surrounded by land on all sides while seas are partially enclosed by land but connected to oceans. Rivers flow from one place to another while oceans cover most of Earth’s surface area with some areas reaching depths greater than 11 kilometers (7 miles).