Question

Answer the following questions briefly.
Name the major continents of the earth.

Answer 1

Hint: The total landmass on earth is classified into seven different continents. Out of these seven continents, some are connected while others are separated from each other either through an ocean or a sea or a gulf.

Complete Answer: The total landmass on the earth is categorised into seven different continents. The seven different continents of the earth are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.

Asia is the earth’s largest continent of the seven continents in terms of both size and population. It covers nearly one-third of the earth's total surface with an area expanding over 44,579,000 square kilometres. The continent of Asia consists of 48 countries in total with a population of over 4 billion. It contributes 60 percent of the population of the world and 30 percent of the total world land area.

Africa is the earth’s second-largest continent of the seven continents in terms of size. The world’s longest river Nile and also the world’s largest desert, the Sahara Desert is located in this continent. It is also referred to as the ‘Dark Continent’ because of its inhabitable terrain which was unknown for thousands of years. This continent throughout the year receives direct sunlight all because of the equator which passes through the middle of the continent. Most of the world’s diamond and gold is obtained from the mineral-rich continent of Africa. The continent of Africa consists of 54 countries in total with a population of over 1 billion.

North America is the earth’s third-largest continent of the seven continents which extends from the Aleutian Island located in the northwest to the Isthmus of Panama in the south. This continent consists of five zones and is the only continent which experiences every type of climate. World’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior is situated on this continent. The world’s largest economy, the United States of America is situated in this continent. The continent of North America consists of 23 countries in total with a population of over 500 million.

The continent of South America consists of 12 countries in total with a population of over 400 million. World’s highest volcanoes namely Mt. Chimborazo and Mt. Cotopaxi are found in this continent. It is also the home for the world’s largest waterfall, the Angel Falls.

Antarctica is the driest, windiest, emptiest and the coldest continent of the earth. Due to this, it is often referred to as the Frozen or White Continent. Antarctica is home to a variety of penguins especially Adelie Penguins.

Europe consists of 50 countries in total with a population of over 700 million. Asia and Europe belong to the same landmass. The Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea separates the continent of Europe from Asia. Mt. Elbrus is the highest mountain in this continent and some major mountains are the Balkan ranges, Apennines, Cantabrian, Dinaric Alps and the Pyrenees. The world’s smallest country, the Vatican city is located on this continent.

Australia consists of 3 countries in total with a population of over 39 million. It is also the earth’s smallest continent. The Commonwealth of Australia is the official name of Australia and consists of the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef.

Note: The surface of the earth also consists of microcontinents, in addition to the seven major continents. Major microcontinents of the earth are Zealandia located in the South Pacific Ocean; Madagascar, Mascarene Plateau and the Kerguelen Plateau located in the South Indian Ocean and Jan Mayen, a Norwegian island located in the North Atlantic Ocean.