Ocean

Author: (Italian) Caffido et al./Zhang Tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: In all written languages of humanity, the word "Earth" is used to define our entire planet, not just the land. Alternatively, we could look at it the other way around: so far, water covers the vast majority of the planet's surface, and the land and islands inhabited by humans, animals, and plants breathing air are also called "land above sea level." Perhaps this phenomenon is because people have just recently discovered the truth: five hundred years ago, during the time of Christopher Columbus, people's understanding of the land was often vague, biased, and inaccurate regarding its size and the nature of the sea. Since then, through persistent research, people have been able to describe more accurately the origin, dimensions, and dynamic processes of this sacred sphere we inhabit from bottom to top. Yet, there are still many mysteries left to unravel. The ocean is the cradle of life. Although some human habits show clear signs of being influenced by external factors such as soil and air, it still retains its original characteristics. In the past two centuries, the global population has increased fivefold, and it has been proven that human existence has only been away from the wilderness for a short time: forests, deserts, Siberian steppes, and tundra regions have all been transformed from wilderness into cities, farmland, and factories. Ships, some even larger than typical coastal cities, have already crossed every possible route between continents. The boundless blue retains the region's primitive character, as most areas remain unconquered and unvisited. Since Columbus embarked on his adventures on Earth, the relationship between humans and the ocean has become increasingly complex. The sea symbolizes both life and death: ancient people associated it with the creator of all things; industrial workers are grateful for the inexhaustible resources it provides; while intellectuals, scientists, and poets try to unravel the secrets of this untamed, spiritual, and human-cultured liquid world that surrounds us. The invention of instruments and equipment has enabled humans to breathe underwater, making it possible to explore the underwater world more deeply instead of merely classifying mysterious phenomena on the surface. This has ushered in a new era that will inevitably lead to what was once called the "inner space." For example, exploring the space within planets, or the equally mysterious and captivating outer space, etc.