In Jules Verne’s classic novel, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” the term “league” is commonly misunderstood. A league is a unit of measurement that was historically used to define distance. Specifically, it typically refers to approximately three miles or about 4.8 kilometers.
So when the title mentions “20,000 leagues,” it refers to the distance traveled by Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, beneath the ocean’s surface. It’s important to note that this distance is not vertical depth but rather the cumulative distance covered while traveling across the ocean. The story, set in the 19th century, uses this exaggerated figure to convey the vast and unexplored nature of the underwater world, highlighting the adventure and mystery that lie beneath the waves.