From the 16th century, Europeans visiting the Caribbean region identified the "South Sea" (the Pacific Ocean, to the south of the isthmus of Panama) as opposed to the "North Sea" (the Caribbean Sea, to the north of the same isthmus).
From the 16th century , Europeans visiting the Caribbean region identified the " South Sea " ( the Pacific Ocean , to the south of the isthmus of Panama ) as opposed to the " North Sea " ( the Caribbean Sea , to the north of the same isthmus ) .
region