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How Many Continents Are There?
A continent can be defined as one of several major land masses on the earth. There is no standard definition for the number of continents but usually the numbers six or seven are used. By most accounts, there are a maximum of seven continents - Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Most students in the U.S. are taught that there are seven continents. The National Geographic Society recognizes seven.
In Europe, many students are taught about six continents - North and South America are combined to form a single America. Therefore, the six continents are Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and Europe. A couple of years ago, I got into a relatively heated discussion through email with a European who could not understand how North and South America could be considered two separate continents, but this person readily accepted the fact that Europe and Asia were two separate continents.
Many geographers and scientists now refer to six continents, where Europe and Asia are combined (since they're one solid landmass). Thus, these six continents are Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America. I personally like this distinction - I could never understand how you could divide Europe and Asia in the middle of a landmass. It seems to be more of a political or cultural division rather than a geographic one.
I have even gone through a major discussion in college that it could be argued that there are only four continents. Since North and South America are naturally connected (prior to the Panama Canal), it could be considered as one continent (the double continent). Europe, Asia and Africa are naturally connected (prior to the Suez Canal), so it could be considered as one continent (the triple continent). Add Australia and Antarctica, and you have a total of four.
Most students in the U.S. are taught that there are seven continents. The National Geographic Society recognizes seven.
In Europe, many students are taught about six continents - North and South America are combined to form a single America. Therefore, the six continents are Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and Europe. A couple of years ago, I got into a relatively heated discussion through email with a European who could not understand how North and South America could be considered two separate continents, but this person readily accepted the fact that Europe and Asia were two separate continents.
Many geographers and scientists now refer to six continents, where Europe and Asia are combined (since they're one solid landmass). Thus, these six continents are Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America. I personally like this distinction - I could never understand how you could divide Europe and Asia in the middle of a landmass. It seems to be more of a political or cultural division rather than a geographic one.
I have even gone through a major discussion in college that it could be argued that there are only four continents. Since North and South America are naturally connected (prior to the Panama Canal), it could be considered as one continent (the double continent). Europe, Asia and Africa are naturally connected (prior to the Suez Canal), so it could be considered as one continent (the triple continent). Add Australia and Antarctica, and you have a total of four.