The ocean has always had a strong influence on the lives of human beings.

People have been recording the surface currents in the ocean since ancient times.

Early navigators used these currents to journey from place to place.

The ocean's tides, which are caused by the gravitational force of the Moon, still affect modern shipping.

Humans also benefit from resources provided by the sea.

Water currents affect the climate of countries in their path. This affects marine life and therefore, fishing industries.

When warm surface water is blown away from cold water areas, colder water rises to the surface to take its place.

Off the coast of Peru, this brings up plankton (minute marine organisms), which attract large schools of fish.

The ocean is also a vast resource of mineral salts in solution. Other minerals, such as diamonds, coal and petroleum, are mined in offshore areas.