Know the 7 Continents Along With Their Countries
Our planet is divided into basically two categories namely landmasses and the water bodies. 71% of the total area of the Earth consists of water in the form of oceans and the rest 29% consists of the landmasses called continents. You will find 7 continents and 5 oceans here on the planet. In this article, we will be talking about the landmasses i.e continents. We will be covering which are the continents of the world, continents by area, facts about various continents etc. This article will help you understand the basic concepts of Geography and about the world. This article will be helpful for Class 6 students and the upper classes as well.
World Map Seven Continents
The land masses present on the Earth are known as continents. These continents are further divided into a number of countries or islands. Here, we will cover all the continents of the world map. 7 continents of the world and its countries and other related important information are mentioned below:
1. Asia
It is the largest continent.
In terms of land area, it covers about one-third of the total land.
It is present in the Eastern Hemisphere.
There are 48 countries as recognized by the United Nations and few dependencies and other territories which can be seen in the map.
2 countries of this continent is shared with Europe ie. Russia and Turkey.
1 country namely Palestine only has observer status of the United nations and not yet recognised as a separate country.
The largest country in the world i.e. Russia is present here.
It is also known as the most populous Continent because more than 4.6 billion people as of 2021 live here.
The two most populous countries are present here.
It also consists of World's highest mountain ranges.
The Ural Mountains separate it from Europe and the Sinai Peninsula & Red sea separate it from Africa.
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2. Africa
It is the second largest.
All the three lines that are the Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn pass through this.
Most of its part lies in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Great Sahara Desert of the World is present here.
The longest river in the world is also present here.
54 countries are here along with nine dependent territories which can be seen in the map.
Around 15% of the total population of the world live here.
Algeria is the largest and Seychelles is the smallest country here.
The famous and second-largest lake (after Lake Superior) in the world i.e. Lake Victoria is also part of this continent.
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3. North America
It is the third-largest.
A very narrow strip of land namely the isthmus of Panama connects it with South America.
It is present in the North-West Hemisphere.
It consists of 23 countries as well as 9 dependencies.
Canada is the largest whereas St Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country.
The largest island of the world namely Greenland is part of this.
The largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, is part of this continent.
The Bering strait separates it from Russia or we can say from Asia.
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4. South America
It is the 4th largest.
It mostly lies in the Southern Hemisphere.
The lungs of our planet i.e. the great Amazon forest are present here.
The longest river, namely the Amazon also flows here.
The longest mountain ranges namely the Andes are also part of this continent.
12 countries are present here along with 3 dependencies.
Brazil is the largest whereas Suriname is the smallest country here.
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5. Antarctica
It is the 5th largest.
It completely lies in the southern hemisphere.
The south pole is the center of this continent.
It is covered with ice sheets.
No human settlements are there.
Research stations of many countries are present here.
The name of such research stations there is Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri.
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6. Europe
It comes at 6th number in terms of size.
The combination of Europe and Asia is called Eurasia.
It is surrounded by different water bodies from the three sides.
The Arctic Circle passes through it.
50 countries are present here.
It has few countries which it shares with other continents like Asia and Africa.
The smallest country, the Vatican City of the world is part of this.
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7. Australia
It is the smallest continent.
It is actually an island country.
It lies in the Southern Hemisphere.
It has 6 states namely Western Australia, Southern Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.
It is the largest country without any land border.
The biggest coral reef in the world, namely the Great Barrier Reef is present here.
Some also consider it as the largest island in the world but most of the geologists consider it only a continent or a country.
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Conclusion
Thus, in this article we have covered the continents and information related to it. We have learned about the 7 continents of the world, where are they located, number of countries present in each continent, sequence of the continents as per their size and area, etc. With the help of these notes, you will be able to answer the questions such as which are the 7 continents, short notes on any one continent, where are they located, etc. We believe that these notes will be helpful for all the students from Class 6 or upper classes. This article will also increase your knowledge as well about the world. You can also check other articles and important notes on our website. We believe that these notes will be helpful for you in your studies.
We have read what are the continents, what are the continents of the world and their countries and other related facts.
FAQs on What are the 7 Continents and their Countries?
1. What are the seven continents of the world, listed from largest to smallest?
The seven continents are massive landmasses on Earth. They are typically listed in order of their geographical area as follows:
- Asia: The largest and most populous continent.
- Africa: The second-largest, known for its vast deserts and diverse ecosystems.
- North America: The third-largest, containing Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
- South America: Home to the Amazon rainforest and the Andes mountains.
- Antarctica: The coldest, driest, and highest continent, almost entirely covered by ice.
- Europe: A continent with a long history and many developed nations.
- Australia: The smallest continent, which is also a single country.
2. What is the main difference between a continent and a country?
The key difference lies in their definition. A continent is a major geographical and geological landmass, defined by physical features. A country, on the other hand, is a political entity with a defined territory, a sovereign government, and a population. For example, Africa is a continent containing 54 different countries. A unique case is Australia, which is both a continent and a single country.
3. Why is there a debate about a possible eighth continent, Zealandia?
The discussion about Zealandia as an eighth continent stems from geology. While most of it is submerged under the Pacific Ocean, Zealandia meets several criteria for being a continent: it has a well-defined area, is composed of continental crust that is thicker than the oceanic crust, and is elevated above the surrounding ocean floor. The debate continues because it is not a large, continuous landmass above sea level like the other seven continents, making its classification a point of scientific discussion.
4. What makes the continent of Asia geographically unique?
Asia's uniqueness comes from its extremes. It is not only the largest continent by area but also the most populous, housing over 60% of the world's population. Geographically, it features the world's highest point, Mount Everest, and the lowest land point, the shore of the Dead Sea. It also contains an incredible diversity of climates, from the frozen tundras of Siberia to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and the vast deserts of the Middle East.
5. Which continents does the Equator pass through, and what is the significance of this?
The Equator, an imaginary line at 0 degrees latitude, passes through three continents:
- South America (Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil)
- Africa (Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia)
- Asia (through the islands of Indonesia)
Its significance is immense as it defines the tropical climate zone. Countries near the Equator experience consistent daylight hours year-round and typically have hot, humid climates that support rich biodiversity, including vast rainforests.
6. Besides physical size, how else are continents compared?
While size is a common metric, continents can be compared in several other important ways:
- By Population: Asia is the most populous continent, while Antarctica has no permanent residents.
- By Number of Countries: Africa has the most countries (54), while Australia has only one.
- By Economic Output: Continents like North America and Europe have very high collective GDPs.
- By Biodiversity: Continents like South America and Africa are known for their exceptional biodiversity and unique ecosystems.
7. Which continents are distinct for having very few or no countries at all?
Two continents stand out in this regard. Antarctica has no countries; it is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, which reserves the land for peaceful scientific research and cooperation. Australia is also unique because the entire continent is a single country. This contrasts sharply with continents like Africa and Europe, which are composed of many different nations.
8. Why is it important for students to learn about the 7 continents?
Understanding the 7 continents is fundamental to a student's education. It provides the essential geographical framework needed to study world history, understand global news and current events, and appreciate cultural diversity. Knowledge of the continents and their countries helps explain patterns of climate, trade, human migration, and international relations, forming the basis for a well-rounded global perspective.
