Oceans and Continents Class 6 Soial scienceChapter 2 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The Earth is often called the ‘blue planet’ because nearly three-fourths of its surface is covered with water. The remaining part, slightly over one-fourth, is land. The huge water bodies on Earth are known as oceans. The large stretches of land are called continents. Both oceans and continents play an important role in shaping the climate and support all life forms, affecting everything from rainfall to biodiversity and even human culture and history.

Distribution of Land and Water If you closely look at maps or photos of Earth, the blue color represents water while brown stands for land. The arrangement of land and water is not even between the two hemispheres. The Northern Hemisphere contains more land than the Southern Hemisphere, which has more water. Also, all oceans are interconnected, making movement and mixing of water and marine life possible across different areas.

Oceans of the World There are five major oceans on Earth: the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. The Pacific is the largest, followed by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Southern Ocean lies around Antarctica, while the smallest is the Arctic Ocean, located around the North Pole. These oceans are defined by convention, as boundaries between them are not physical but set for easier study and reference.

The Pacific Ocean lies between Asia, Australia, and the Americas and contains the greatest water area. The Atlantic Ocean separates the Americas from Europe and Africa and is known for its busy shipping routes. The Indian Ocean is surrounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west, and Australia to the east, with the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal as its important parts near India. The Southern Ocean encircles Antarctica, and the Arctic Ocean is located at the top of the world, surrounding the Arctic region.

Life in Oceans Oceans are teeming with life. There are a wide variety of marine plants (called marine flora) like algae and seaweeds, and countless animal species (marine fauna), including colourful fish, whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, corals, penguins, and many more. Oceans support life from the surface to their dark depths. Over half of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by ocean plants, making them essential for all life on Earth.

But not all the water in oceans is suitable for drinking due to its salinity. Only a small amount of Earth’s total water is fresh, found in rivers, lakes, glaciers, and underground as groundwater. Even though water is abundant, freshwater is scarce, raising concerns about water scarcity and the need for careful water management and conservation.

Oceans and Disasters Oceans are not always calm. They can cause natural disasters like cyclones, storms, and tsunamis. Monsoon rains, vital for agriculture in India, begin in the oceans. Sometimes, undersea earthquakes or volcanic eruptions trigger powerful tsunamis, which can destroy coastal areas, as happened around the Indian Ocean in 2004. To prevent loss and save lives, many countries have set up tsunami and disaster warning systems, and India has its National Disaster Management Authority.

Continents: How Many Are There? Continents are large continuous landmasses. Depending on the way we count, there can be four, five, six, or seven continents. However, the most widely accepted answer is seven: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Sometimes, Europe and Asia are seen together as Eurasia, and North and South America as America, leading to a smaller count. The Olympic symbol of five rings stands for Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe as the five inhabited continents.

The continents vary widely in size. Asia is the largest, while Australia is the smallest. Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Europe rank in between, in order of size. Antarctica is mostly covered by ice and is the coldest continent. India belongs to Asia, one of the largest and most populated continents.

Islands Smaller land areas surrounded completely by water are called islands. Unlike continents, islands can be very small or quite large; Greenland is the largest island in the world. India itself has over 1,300 islands, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. The continent of Antarctica, though surrounded by ocean, is not called an island due to its massive size.

Oceans' Role in Human Life Oceans are essential for the water cycle, as most rainfall comes from evaporated seawater. They influence climate, produce oxygen, and regulate temperature across the globe. Humans have always depended on oceans for food (fishing), travel, trade, and even culture. Many coastal communities have traditions and legends connected to the sea.

Unfortunately, oceans face serious problems due to human activities. Pollution, especially plastic waste, overfishing, and oil spills are damaging marine ecosystems. The United Nations observes June 8 as World Oceans Day to highlight their importance and the urgent need to protect them from further harm.

Summary Table: Oceans and Continents

Quick Facts

• The Pacific Ocean is the largest, and the Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the five oceans.
• Asia is the largest continent, and Australia is the smallest.
• Greenland is the world’s largest island. India has two major island groups: Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.
• Over 70% of Earth’s surface is water, but most is salty seawater; freshwater is very limited.
• Oceans connect all continents and have allowed trade, travel, and cultural exchange throughout history.
• World Oceans Day is celebrated on June 8 every year.

Protecting oceans and continents is necessary for maintaining climate, water supply, and rich biodiversity. They are not just geography topics but are vital for our survival and the wellbeing of the entire planet.

CBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2 Notes – Oceans and Continents: Revision Guide with Key Points

Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2 notes about Oceans and Continents provide clear explanations of both major landmasses and vast water bodies covering our planet. These concise revision notes help you quickly recall key facts about world geography as per the NCERT syllabus. Students can easily understand concepts like distribution of land and water, main oceans, continents, and islands.

Revise important points such as the names and features of all five oceans, seven continents, and their environmental significance. These notes are specially designed for last-minute studies as well as daily practice, strengthening your foundation for exams and everyday understanding.