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Continent: Difference between revisions
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* Description: The southernmost continent, Antarctica is almost entirely covered by ice and is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent. It has no permanent human population and is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System for scientific research and environmental protection. | * Description: The southernmost continent, Antarctica is almost entirely covered by ice and is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent. It has no permanent human population and is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System for scientific research and environmental protection. | ||
Asia | === Asia === | ||
* Area: ~44.6 million km² | * Area: ~44.6 million km² | ||
* Population: ~4.8 billion (2025 estimate) | * Population: ~4.8 billion (2025 estimate) | ||
* Description: The largest continent by area and population, Asia spans from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. It includes diverse nations like China, India, and Japan, and features major geographical landmarks such as the Himalayas and the Gobi Desert. | * Description: The largest continent by area and population, Asia spans from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. It includes diverse nations like China, India, and Japan, and features major geographical landmarks such as the Himalayas and the Gobi Desert. | ||
Australia | === Australia === | ||
* Area: ~7.7 million km² | * Area: ~7.7 million km² | ||
* Population: ~27 million (2025 estimate) | * Population: ~27 million (2025 estimate) | ||
* Description: The smallest continent by area, Australia is also a single country. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, it is known for its unique wildlife, deserts, and coastal cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Sometimes, it is grouped with nearby islands as part of Oceania. | * Description: The smallest continent by area, Australia is also a single country. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, it is known for its unique wildlife, deserts, and coastal cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Sometimes, it is grouped with nearby islands as part of Oceania. | ||
Europe | === Europe === | ||
* Area: ~10.2 million km² | * Area: ~10.2 million km² | ||
* Population: ~750 million (2025 estimate) | * Population: ~750 million (2025 estimate) | ||
* Description: Located west of Asia, Europe is the second-smallest continent by area but has a significant global cultural and historical impact. It includes countries like Germany, France, and Russia (partly in Asia) and is defined by landmarks like the Alps and the Danube River. | * Description: Located west of Asia, Europe is the second-smallest continent by area but has a significant global cultural and historical impact. It includes countries like Germany, France, and Russia (partly in Asia) and is defined by landmarks like the Alps and the Danube River. | ||
North America | === North America === | ||
* Area: ~24.7 million km² | * Area: ~24.7 million km² | ||
* Population: ~600 million (2025 estimate) | * Population: ~600 million (2025 estimate) | ||
* Description: North America includes Canada, the United States, Mexico, and several Central American and Caribbean nations. It is bordered by the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans and features diverse landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. | * Description: North America includes Canada, the United States, Mexico, and several Central American and Caribbean nations. It is bordered by the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans and features diverse landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. | ||
South America | === South America === | ||
* Area: ~17.8 million km² | * Area: ~17.8 million km² | ||
* Population: ~440 million (2025 estimate) | * Population: ~440 million (2025 estimate) | ||
* Description: Located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, South America is home to the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and countries like Brazil and Argentina. It is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. | * Description: Located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, South America is home to the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and countries like Brazil and Argentina. It is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. | ||
== Geological | == Geological context == | ||
Continents are primarily composed of '''continental crust''', which is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. Most continents sit on their own tectonic plates, though some, like Europe and Asia, share a plate (the Eurasian Plate). The movement of tectonic plates over millions of years has shaped the current arrangement of continents, a process explained by the theory of '''plate tectonics'''. In the past, continents were joined in supercontinents, such as '''Pangaea''' (~300 million years ago), and are expected to converge again in the future to form a new supercontinent. | Continents are primarily composed of '''continental crust''', which is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. Most continents sit on their own tectonic plates, though some, like Europe and Asia, share a plate (the Eurasian Plate). The movement of tectonic plates over millions of years has shaped the current arrangement of continents, a process explained by the theory of '''plate tectonics'''. In the past, continents were joined in supercontinents, such as '''Pangaea''' (~300 million years ago), and are expected to converge again in the future to form a new supercontinent. | ||
== Cultural and | == Cultural and political significance == | ||
Continents play a significant role in human geography, influencing political boundaries, trade, and cultural identities. For example: | Continents play a significant role in human geography, influencing political boundaries, trade, and cultural identities. For example: | ||
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* '''Zealandia''': A mostly submerged landmass near New Zealand has been proposed as a "new continent" based on geological criteria, but it is not widely accepted as such. | * '''Zealandia''': A mostly submerged landmass near New Zealand has been proposed as a "new continent" based on geological criteria, but it is not widely accepted as such. | ||
== Historical | == Historical perspectives == | ||
The concept of continents has evolved over time. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, recognized only a few landmasses, like Europe, Asia, and Africa (sometimes referred to as Libya). The discovery of the Americas and Australia by European explorers expanded the concept, while modern geology has refined the understanding of continents through plate tectonics. | The concept of continents has evolved over time. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, recognized only a few landmasses, like Europe, Asia, and Africa (sometimes referred to as Libya). The discovery of the Americas and Australia by European explorers expanded the concept, while modern geology has refined the understanding of continents through plate tectonics. | ||