What bodies of water surround Ireland?
As an island, Ireland, which comprises both the Republic of Ireland and part of the United Kingdom, is surrounded by water on all sides. For geographical and cartographical (map-making) purposes, the Earth’s hydrosphere–all liquid water covering the planet’s surface–is divided into units such as oceans, seas and lakes. Five such units–one ocean, two seas and two straits–make up the bodies of water that surround Ireland. Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the largest body of water surrounding Ireland. Second largest of the world’s five oceans (after the Pacific), the Atlantic divides the continents of Europe and Africa on one side from North and South America on the other. With a total area of approximately 76,762,000 square kilometers, the Atlantic covers more than 20 percent of the planet’s surface. The Atlantic derives its name from the Greek mythological figure, Atlas. Irish Sea Another body of water surrounding Ireland is the Irish Sea. This sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean