A continent is a large landmass rising above sea level. Large amounts of water separate the world’s continents, and the exact layout of these landmasses varies. These 7 continents of the world were once a single continent known as Pangaea. Pangaea progressively broke apart over billions of years as a result of tectonic plate shifts, resulting in the formation of the world’s 7 continents. According to research, North America and Europe are still separating at a rate of seven centimeters every year.
From smallest to largest in surface area, the continents are named Australia, Europe, Antarctica, South America, North America, Africa, and Asia. These continents cover an incredible 57 million square kilometers of area. As the eighth continent of the planet, Zealandia is referred to as a submerged continent. Keep scrolling to learn about the geographical conditions, population, and other interesting facts about the 7 continents of the world.
1. Asia
Asia consists of 50 countries and is the most populous continent, housing 60% of the world’s population. It is the world’s largest continent, with 17.2 million square miles (44.6 million square kilometers). The Asian continent is home to Russia, the largest nation on Earth. What’s more, guess what? Being the largest geographically also gives Asia an advantage in terms of population, with 4.6 billion of the world’s 7.7 billion people. Asia includes some of the first organized communities and a diverse climate. Panda bears can be found throughout Asia’s woods.
The cancer tropic extends through this part of the world. In the west, the Ural Mountains divide this continent from Europe. The landmass that links Europe and Asia is known as Eurasia. Qatar, a small country on the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the richest countries in the world due to its revenue from oil drilling and the petroleum trade. Only one country, Palestine, has UN observer status and is not yet recognized as a nation of its own.
2. Africa
Africa ranks at second number in both population and size. It covers 11.6 million square miles (30 million square km) in area. These two continents, together with Asia, are expected to have the highest rates of global population growth in the future decades. Africa is recognised as one of the hottest countries on the planet, including deserts and tropical zones, as well as Mount Kilamanjaro, the world’s tallest mountain.
Africa also has the world’s longest river, the Nile, and the world’s second-highest waterfall, the Tugela Falls in South Africa. Because the oldest human remains, such as skeletons and skulls, have been unearthed in Africa, the continent is often known as the “cradle of humankind.” All three latitudes or special lines–the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn–pass through Africa. Algeria is Africa’s largest country, and Seychelles is its smallest. It’s like connecting a massive elephant with a little mouse.
3. Europe
Europe covers 9.9 million square kilometres (3.8 million square miles). It is also the third most populous country in the world, with 746 million inhabitants. The United Nations Population Division predicts that its population will drop in the future decades as fertility rates fall. It is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and the southeast by the Caspian Sea. In the south, there are two more great seas, the Mediterranean and the Black Seas.
Denmark owns Greenland, which is Europe’s largest island. And Hum in Croatia is the world’s smallest town, not just in Europe. Europe also includes the world’s smallest country, Vatican City and London and Paris are the most populous cities. The single currency used throughout Europe is the euro. Europe is home to five of the world’s top 10 tourism hotspots. France is the world’s top tourism destination, with around 90 million international visitors each year.
4. North America
North America’s area and population rankings vary because this continent’s population is not rising at the same rate as Asia’s. It is the third-largest continent by area, with 9.4 million square miles (24.5 million square kilometers). However, with 369 million citizens, it ranks fifth in population. It has a broad range of climates, including tropical, desert, continental, mild, and even polar. The continent also has the world’s largest Christian population. Almost 80% of Canadians, Americans, and Mexicans identify themselves as Christians.
The North American continent is home to a total of 23 countries as well as 9 dependencies. Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, is also found on this continent. Superior, one of the Great Lakes, spans about 31,700 square miles (82,100 square kilometers) between the United States and Canada. The Isthmus of Panama is a narrow land bridge that connects North and South America. It’s like an effortless bridge that you can cross! And, further north, the Bering Strait acts as a watery border between North America and Asia.
5. South America
South America, at 6.9 million square miles (17.8 million square kilometres), is the fourth-largest continent. It ranks fifth in the world in terms of population, with 433 million people. South America is mostly located in the Western and Southern hemispheres. Only a little chunk of this continent lies above the Equator. Brazil is by far the largest country in South America in terms of both territory and population, followed by Argentina. South America’s regions span the Andean States, the Guianas, the Southern Cone, and Brazil.
South America’s continent includes 12 countries and three dependencies. The principal natural resources of South America are gold, silver, copper, iron ore, tin, and oil. It is a bio-diverse continent that is home to the huge Amazon River and rainforest, as well as the Pantanal wetland system. It also has the highest waterfall in the world (Angel Falls), the world’s longest mountain range (the Andes), and the world’s driest desert (the Atacama).
6. Antarctica
With 5.5 million square miles (14.2 million square kilometres), Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent. However, no one needs to guess that Antarctica is at the bottom of the population list because there are no long-term residents there. There are no countries or people who live there permanently. Instead, scientists and support personnel visit this frozen wonderland and stay for an extended period to study and conduct research. They research climate, geology, meteorology, and other topics. Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri are the names of such research stations.
The present-day continent of Antarctica has two faces. Visually, one comprises exposed rock and ice-surface landscapes. The other is the ice-buried bedrock surface, which can only be observed indirectly using seismic or other remote-sensing techniques. Both evolved over long and slow geologic periods. As a whole, the continent is found in the southern hemisphere.
7. Oceania/Australia
Being the smallest continent at 3 million square miles (7.7 million square kilometers), Australia is the only one to have its own country. Oceania has a surprisingly low population (around or below 50th in the world), likely because a major part of the continent is underwater. Australia’s population is frequently included alongside Oceania, which has a population of 43 million people.
The term “Island Continent” also refers to Australia. It consists of six states: Western Australia, Southern Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania. New Zealand, unlike its geologically stable neighbor, is located at the junction of the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate. New Zealand is geologically younger than Australia and has a much more diversified location.
