The ocean that separates the Americas from Europe and Africa is the Atlantic Ocean. This vast body of water is the second-largest ocean on Earth, covering about one-fifth of the planet's surface. The Atlantic Ocean plays a key role in global climate patterns and serves as a major route for international trade and transportation. It connects to the Arctic Ocean in the north and the Southern Ocean to the south. Historically, it has been significant for exploration, colonization, and the transatlantic slave trade, impacting the development and relationships of nations on both sides of this ocean.