Which ocean is centered around the North Pole?

The ocean centered around the North Pole is the Arctic Ocean.

Unlike the South Pole, which sits on the Antarctic continent, the North Pole lies over floating sea ice covering ocean water. The Arctic Ocean occupies a roughly circular basin surrounded by northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Its boundaries connect with the Pacific through the Bering Strait and with the Atlantic through passages near Greenland and the Norwegian Sea.

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the five commonly recognized oceans, though it still covers roughly 14 million square kilometers. Its seafloor includes broad continental shelves and underwater ridges, including the Lomonosov Ridge, which crosses beneath the North Pole region.

A common mix-up is confusing the Arctic Ocean with the Arctic region. The Arctic region includes surrounding land, islands, and seas; the Arctic Ocean specifically means the ocean basin at the center. Seasonal sea ice expands during winter and retreats during summer, while ocean currents move water and ice between the Atlantic and Pacific systems.