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How does the Pacific Ocean connect with the Atlantic Ocean near South America?

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Map of the Pacific Ocean showing depth contours in varying shades of blue, major submarine features such as trenches, ridges, and basins labeled throughout the ocean, and neighboring landmasses including Asia, Australia, North and South America. Principal cities along the Pacific rim and island groups are marked, along with international boundaries.
Pacific Ocean

The Pacific and Atlantic oceans connect near the southern tip of South America through two primary maritime passages:

  • Drake Passage: Located between Tierra del Fuego in South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, this relatively narrow body of water is where the two oceans meet and mix. It serves as a major gateway for the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to flow between the South Atlantic and South Pacific.123
  • Strait of Magellan: This 350-mile-long channel runs between the mainland tip of South America and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It provides a navigable route that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, winding through a series of islands and channels.4

Before the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914, these passages were essential routes for maritime travel between the two oceans.4