Listen Carefully

Read Aloud

The Pacific Ocean is on the West Coast of the United States. It is the largest ocean on Earth and covers one-third of the Earth’s surface. The Pacific Ocean is important to the U.S. economy because of its many natural resources such as fish. Europeans first learned about the Pacific Ocean in the 16th century. Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa reached the ocean in 1514 when he crossed the Isthmus of Panama. Later, Ferdinand Magellan sailed across the Pacific as he traveled around the Earth in search of spices. “Pacific” means “peaceful.” Magellan named the Pacific Ocean the “peaceful sea,” because there were no storms on his trip from Spain to the spice world. The U.S. states that border the Pacific Ocean are Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.

Take Quizzes

True of false: The Pacific Ocean is important to the U.S. economy because of its many natural resources such as fish.
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Check Answers
Retake Quiz

* The reading text above is partially referred by USCIS Quick Civics Lessons “Learn About the United States” and only used for educational purposes.

come sail away

Civics Study Guides For
The U.S. Citizenship
ACT NOW

Civics English Grammar

Choose the correct word, and even world.

100 Civics Questions

American Enough? Patriotic Enough?

Here is my proof. This is sustained from my service in the U.S. military. Now, is this patriot enough? I am not ashamed to walk around anymore before I was very inhibited people look at me strangely and they question my loyalty to this country. I don’t look American enough?

Read More »