What are the names of all the continents of the world. Inland waters of Africa. continental patterns. How many continents are there

Continent(from lat. continens, Genitive continentis) - a large array the earth's crust, a significant part of which is located above sea level (land), and the rest of the peripheral part is below sea level. The continent also includes islands located on the underwater periphery. In addition to the concept of a continent, the term mainland is also used.

Terminology

Mainland- a vast expanse of land washed by the seas and oceans (or Land, land - as opposed to water or islands). In Russian, the words mainland and continent have the same meaning.

From a tectonic point of view, continents are sections of the lithosphere that have a continental structure of the earth's crust.

There are several continental models in the world (see below). On the territory of the post-Soviet space, the model of six continents with a divided America is adopted as the main one.

There is also a similar concept of part of the world. The division into continents is made on the basis of separation by water space, and parts of the world are rather a historical and cultural concept. So, the continent of Eurasia consists of two parts of the world- Europe and Asia. And part of the world America is located on two continents - South America and North America. In other cases, parts of the world coincide with the above continents.

The border between Europe and Asia runs along the Ural Mountains, then the Ural River to the Caspian Sea, the Kuma and Manych rivers to the mouth of the Don River and further along the shores of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The Europe-Asia border described above is not indisputable. This is just one of several options accepted in the world.

In geology, the continent is also often referred to as the underwater margin of the continent, including the islands located on it.

In English and some other languages, the word continent denotes both continents and parts of the world.

Continental patterns

In the world different countries the number of continents is estimated differently. Number of continents in different traditions

4 continents: Afro-Eurasia, America, Antarctica, Australia
5 continents: Africa, Eurasia, America, Antarctica, Australia
6 continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, America, Antarctica, Australia
6 continents: Africa, Eurasia, North America, South America, Antarctica, Australia
7 continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica, Australia

The seven continents model is popular in China, India, partly in Western Europe and in English-speaking countries.

The model of six continents with a united America (we usually call it "Parts of the World") is popular in Spanish-speaking countries and parts of of Eastern Europe including Greece with its five-continent model (five inhabited continents).

Comparison of area and population

Continent	Length (km from east to west, and from south to north, along the periphery)	Share of sushi	Population	Share of population
Afro-Eurasia

Oceania

- the largest and only continent on Earth, washed by four oceans: in the south - the Indian, in the north - the Arctic, in the west - the Atlantic, in the east - the Pacific. The continent is located in the Northern Hemisphere between approximately 9° W. and 169° W. while some of the Eurasian islands are located in the Southern Hemisphere. Most of continental Eurasia lies in the Eastern Hemisphere, although the extreme western and eastern ends of the mainland are in the Western Hemisphere. Eurasia stretches from west to east for 10.5 thousand km, from north to south - for 5.3 thousand km, with an area of 53.6 million km2. This is more than a third of the total land area of the planet. The area of the Eurasian islands is approaching 2.75 million km2.

Contains two parts of the world: Europe and Asia. The border line between Europe and Asia is most often drawn along the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Emba River, the northwestern coast of the Caspian Sea, the Kuma River, the Kuma-Manych Depression, the Manych River, the eastern coast of the Black Sea, the southern coast of the Black Sea, the Strait Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, the Dardanelles, the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, the Strait of Gibraltar. This division has developed historically. Naturally, there is no sharp boundary between Europe and Asia. The continent is united by the continuity of land, the current tectonic consolidation and the unity of numerous climatic processes.

(English North America, French Amérique du Nord, Spanish América del Norte, Norteamérica, Ast. Ixachitlān Mictlāmpa) is one of the continents of planet Earth, located in the north of the Western Hemisphere of the Earth. North America is washed from the west by the Pacific Ocean with the Bering Sea, the Gulfs of Alaska and California, from the east by the Atlantic Ocean with the Labrador, Caribbean, Gulf of St. Lawrence and Mexico seas, from the north by the North Arctic Ocean with the Beaufort, Baffin, Greenland and Hudson Bay seas. From the west, the continent is separated from Eurasia by the Bering Strait. In the south, the border between North and South America runs through the Isthmus of Panama.

North America also includes numerous islands: Greenland, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the Aleutian Islands, Vancouver Island, the Alexander Archipelago and others. The area of North America, together with the islands, is 24.25 million km2, without the islands, 20.36 million km2.

(Spanish América del Sur, Sudamérica, Suramérica, port. América do Sul, English South America, Dutch Zuid-Amerika, French Amérique du Sud, Guar. Ñembyamérika, Quechua Urin Awya Yala, Urin Amerika) - the southern continent in America, located mainly in the Western and Southern hemispheres of planet Earth, however, part of the continent is also located in the Northern Hemisphere. It is washed in the west by the Pacific Ocean, in the east by the Atlantic, from the north it is limited by North America, the border between the Americas runs along the Isthmus of Panama and the Caribbean Sea.

South America also includes various islands, most of which belong to the countries of the continent. Caribbean territories belong to North America. South American countries that border by the caribbean- including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana - are known as Caribbean South America.

The most important river systems in South America are the Amazon, Orinoco and Parana, with a total basin of 7,000,000 km2 (the area of South America is 17,800,000 km2). Most of the lakes in South America are located in the Andes, the largest of which and the world's highest navigable lake is Titicaca, on the border of Bolivia and Peru. The largest in area is Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, it is also one of the oldest on the planet.

Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world, is located in South America. On the mainland, there is also the most powerful waterfall - Iguazu.

- the second largest continent on our planet Earth after Eurasia, washed by the Mediterranean Sea from the north, the Red Sea from the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean from the west and the Indian Ocean from the east and south.

Africa is also called the part of the world, consisting of the mainland Africa and the islands adjacent to it, the largest of which is the island of Madagascar.

The African continent crosses the equator and several climatic zones; its feature is that it is the only continent that stretches from the northern subtropical climatic zone to the southern subtropical one.

Due to the lack of constant rainfall and irrigation on the continent - as well as glaciers or the aquifer of mountain systems - there is practically no natural regulation of the climate anywhere, except for the coasts.

(from Latin australis - "southern") - a continent located in the Eastern and Southern hemispheres of our planet Earth.

The entire territory of the mainland is the main part of the state of the Commonwealth of Australia. The mainland is part of the world Australia and Oceania.

The northern and eastern coasts of Australia are washed by the seas Pacific Ocean: Arafura, Coral, Tasman, Timor seas; western and southern - the Indian Ocean.

There are large islands near Australia. New Guinea and Tasmania.

Along the north east coast Australia stretches for more than 2000 km, the widely known, largest in the world coral reef- Big barrier reef.

(Greek ἀνταρκτικός - the opposite of Arctida) - a continent located in the very south of the Earth, the center of Antarctica approximately coincides with the geographic south pole. Antarctica is washed by the waters of the Southern Ocean. Antarctica is also called the part of the world, consisting of the mainland of Antarctica and adjacent islands.

Antarctica is the highest continent, its average height is 2040 meters. About 85% of the planet's glaciers are also located on the mainland. There is no permanent population on Antarctica, but there are more than forty scientific stations belonging to different states and intended for research and detailed study of the characteristics of the continent.

Antarctica is almost completely covered by an ice sheet, the average thickness of which exceeds 2500 meters. There is also a large number of subglacial lakes (more than 140), the largest of which is Lake Vostok discovered by Russian scientists in the 1990s.

Hypothetical continents

Kenorland

Kenorland is a hypothetical supercontinent that, according to geophysicists, existed in the Neoarchean (about 2.75 billion years ago). The name comes from the Kenoran phase of folding. Paleomagnetic studies indicate that Kenorland was at low latitudes.

Nuna

Nuna (Columbia, Hudsonland) is a hypothetical supercontinent that existed in the period from 1.8 to 1.5 billion years ago (maximum assembly ~ 1.8 billion years ago). The assumption of its existence was put forward by J. Rogers and M. Santosh in 2002. Nuna's existence dates back to the Paleoproterozoic era, making it supposedly the oldest supercontinent. It consisted of plateau precursors of ancient platforms that were part of the earlier continents of Laurentia, Fennosarmatia, the Ukrainian Shield, Amazonia, Australia, and possibly Siberia, the Sino-Korean platform and the Kalahari platform. The existence of the Columbia continent is based on geological and paleomagnetic data.

Rodinia

Rodinia (from Rus. Rodina or from Rus. give birth) is a hypothetical supercontinent that presumably existed in the Proterozoic - the Precambrian eon. It originated about 1.1 billion years ago and broke up about 750 million years ago. At that time, the Earth consisted of one giant piece of land and one giant ocean, which received the name Mirovia, also taken from the Russian language. Rodinia is often considered the oldest known supercontinent, but its position and shape is still a matter of controversy. After the collapse of Rodinia, the continents managed to once again unite into the supercontinent Pangea and disintegrate again.

Lavrussia

Laurussia (Euramerica) is a Paleozoic supercontinent formed as a result of the collision of the North American (the ancient continent of Laurentia) and the East European (the ancient continent of Baltica) platforms during the Caledonian orogeny. Also known are the names Caledonia, Old Red Continent, Old Red Sandstone Continent. In the Permian period, it merged with Pangea and became its integral part. After the collapse of Pangea, it became part of Laurasia. Broken up in the Paleogene.

gondwana

Gondwana in paleogeography is an ancient supercontinent that arose approximately 750-530 million years ago, for a long time localized around South Pole, which included almost all the land that is currently located in the southern hemisphere (Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia), as well as the tectonic blocks of Hindustan and Arabia, which have now moved to the northern hemisphere and become part of the Eurasian continent. In the early Paleozoic, Gondwana gradually shifted north and in the Carboniferous (360 million years ago) joined with the North American-Scandinavian continent to form the giant protocontinent Pangea. Then, during the Jurassic period (about 180 million years ago), Pangea split again into Gondwana and the northern continent of Laurasia, which were separated by the Tethys Ocean. 30 million years later, in the same Jurassic period, Gondwana gradually began to break up into new (current) continents. Finally, all modern continents: Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica and the Hindustan Peninsula stood out from Gondwana only at the end of the Cretaceous period, that is, 70-80 million years ago.

Pangea

Pangea (ancient Greek Πανγαῖα - “all-earth”) is the name given by Alfred Wegener to the protocontinent that arose in the Paleozoic era. The giant ocean, which washed Pangea from the Silurian period of the Paleozoic to the early Mesozoic inclusive, received the name Panthalassa (from other Greek παν- “all-” and θάλασσα “sea”). Pangea was formed in the Permian period, and split at the end of the Triassic (about 200 - 210 million years ago) into two continents: the northern continent - Laurasia and the southern continent - Gondwana. In the process of the formation of Pangea from more ancient continents, mountain systems arose at the places of their collision, some of them have existed to this day, for example, the Urals or the Appalachians. These early mountains are much older than the younger mountain systems (the Alps in Europe, the Cordillera in North America, the Andes in South America or the Himalayas in Asia). Due to the erosion that lasts for many millions of years, the Urals and the Appalachians are run-in low mountains.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstania - the Middle Paleozoic continent, which was located between Laurussia and the Siberian platform. It stretches from the Turgai trough and the Turan lowland to the Gobi and Takla-Makan deserts.

Laurasia

Laurasia is a supercontinent that existed as Northern part fault of the Pangea protocontinent (southern - Gondwana) in the late Mesozoic era. It united most of those territories that today make up the existing continents of the Northern Hemisphere - Eurasia and North America, which in turn broke away from each other from 135 to 200 million years ago.

Pangea Ultima

It is assumed that in the future the continents will once again gather into a supercontinent called Pangea Ultima.

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Geology is the study of the structure of our planet. Since it defines continents as land masses with a continental structure, the question of their number is within the competence of tectonics. Exploring the question of how many continents are on Earth, this section of science identifies six areas isolated by water. This is due to the fact that the seas and oceans take up much more space on the surface of the planet. While land accounts for about 30% (almost 150 million km²), everything else is occupied by water.

How many continents are on Earth?

The hard shell of the Earth is usually divided into 6 continents: Eurasia, Northern and South America, Africa, Australia, as well as Antarctica.

The largest continent is Eurasia(54.6 million km²);
It is followed by the ancestral home of man - Africa(30.3 million km²);
American parts of the earth's crust occupy an intermediate position ( Northern— 24.4 million km², South- 17.8 million km²);
A huge space is occupied by cold Antarctica(about 14 million km²);
And finally Australia characterized the smallest sizes(7.7 million km²).

It should be noted that for more than 4 billion years of the existence of the Earth, the number of continents on it has been different. Tectonic processes are carried out regularly, and therefore it is possible that further changes are coming in the distant future. And there will be no longer six continents, but more (or less).

Eurasia is the largest continent on the planet (54.6 million km²)

This area of the earth's crust occupies more than one third of the entire land mass. Its conditional division into Asia and Europe is usually carried out along the straits, seas and mountains.

If in the south the border is determined by the Bosporus and Dardanelles, then in the north it is Ural mountains. In the middle part, the boundary passes through the basins of the Black and Seas of Azov. From the outer borders, the huge continent is washed by all the existing oceans. The diversity of the relief of Eurasia is determined by its location on 6 continental platforms. Due to similar tectonic features, its coastline is characterized by its heterogeneity and a significant number of lithospheric formations.

In addition, the mainland boasts the presence of all climatic zones, which explains the diversity natural areas. The same equatorial belt in the south contrasts sharply with the arctic in the north. From interesting facts note the presence of a chain highest mountains(Himalayan system) and the largest freshwater lake (Baikal). Vast plains, suffocating deserts, hot jungles - all this is present on the territory of Eurasia. Therefore, it is not surprising that most of the world's population lives here. almost a hundred independent states compactly located within the boundaries of its space.

Africa - the ancestral home of man (30.3 million km²)

This continent is not only the hottest on the planet, but also the oldest in terms of the development of civilization.

This is the cradle of man himself. It was here that traces of the first ancestor of all people inhabiting the planet were found. Unlike the previous continent, Africa is located on the same lithospheric platform, which leads to some similarity natural areas. The relief of the mainland is mostly represented by plains. For example, here you can find the largest desert in the world (Sahara).

A few mountains are represented only at the edges. Africa also boasts the longest river (Nile), which flows through almost the entire continent. The variety of climatic zones here is much less than in the same Eurasia: from equatorial to subtropical. At the same time, the number of states present on the continent is quite large - over 60 countries.

North America - a find of a Florentine explorer (24.4 million km²)

This area of the earth's crust appeared on topographic maps relatively recently. Only a few centuries ago, its presence was discovered by a Florentine traveler named Amerigo. According to tradition scientific society, subsequently the mainland received his name. It existed, however, for a long time. And its indigenous population were Eskimos (in the north) and Indians (everywhere). Europeans began to explore North America only in the 16th century.

The mainland is washed by three oceans: the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific.

Its coastline is characterized by the presence of a large number of different formations, which was the result of active tectonic processes. If the middle part is occupied mainly by plains, then chains of colorful mountains stretch along the edges of North America. To the east, this is the Appalachian system, and to the west, the Cordillera.

In addition, the largest existing island on Earth (Greenland) is represented not far from the mainland. The diversity of natural zones is due to the presence of almost all climatic zones. However water resources at the same time, they were located extremely unevenly: most of the lakes and rivers are represented in the north. Another feature of North America is the location of its states on geographical map. Only 3 of the total (and a total of 23 countries) are located on the mainland. The rest of the states are located on small islands.

South America - an amazing find of Columbus (17.8 million km²)

This continent might well bear his name, if he were not so sure that he opened another way to the already known India. Subsequently, in the wake of his route, European expeditions were sent, which discovered a new piece of land. Starting from the 16th century, the colonial conquests of Europeans led to the displacement of the indigenous population (Incas). Now there are 12 countries on this earthly ledge. Along the edges of the mainland is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Most of the land is flat. However, there is also a mountain system. The longest chain of mountains is called the Andes. They stretch along the entire coast in the West.

Another interesting feature South America are extremely frequent rains: in the equatorial zone, over time, the most abundant river system (the Amazon with tributaries) was formed. Despite the presence of six climatic zones, the mainland is considered to be the wettest. Since most of it is located just in the equator zone. Among the curious facts can be noted the dominance of Romance languages in South American countries. Which looks quite natural, given the active development of local lands by European colonizers.

Antarctica is the southernmost part of the globe (about 14 million km²)

A characteristic feature of this continent is the ice "crust" on its surface. At the same time, its thickness in some places reaches 4 km. If we imagine that the ice cover of Antarctica will suddenly melt, then we need to prepare for a significant increase in the level (by more than 50 m!) of the world ocean. Due to the fact that the realm of ice is located on most of the land, average temperature continent does not rise to the plus mark. Its average value is within -40 ºC. In such conditions, life exists only in the coastal area.

The smallest continent is washed by the waters of three oceans (with the exception of the 4th - the Arctic Ocean).

The Europeans discovered it much later than the rest, although references to the "opposite Arctic" land were found even in ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Of the curious details, one can note the strongest solar radiation and the constancy of the movement of the wind. What certainly attracts researchers alternative sources energy on earth.

Australia is a selfish continent (7.7 million km²)

It received a similar name for the fact that only one state is located within its borders. The country of the same name occupies an honorable sixth place among the giant states.

At the same time, only 22 million people live on its territory ... This is due to the arid climate of the continent, which led to the formation of desert areas in most of Australian platform. A few river systems and mountain ranges are found only along the edges of the coast. And it is washed by such oceans as: Indian (in the southwest) and Pacific (in the northeast). A favorable climate for living is observed only in a small part of the territory.

At the same time, it is surprising that it is here that the largest number of so-called endemics are located: unique biological representatives of flora and fauna. As for the person, the Australian bushman is considered to be the native inhabitant. However, after the discovery of the continent at the beginning of the 17th century by European expeditions, other nationalities began to actively populate it. Now the official language Australian Union considered a dialect of English.

difference between island and mainland

There is another issue that needs clarification. How to designate the difference between the island and the mainland, given the similarity of their definition? After all, both those and other ledges of land are equally washed by water. However, there are still differences, let's try to list them:

Dimensions. The islands are much smaller. Even the largest of them is far inferior to "small" Australia;
Education. Unlike islands, continents were formed as a result of the split of lithospheric plates. If at the dawn of the existence of the planet there was a single indivisible continent, then cracks appeared that led to its division into parts. This is easily detected even with the naked eye, looking at topographic map. The outlines of the edges of the continental plates are too similar to deny the obvious. They are very easy to mentally assemble, like puzzles. Islands sometimes have a completely different reason for their formation. For example, this may be due to the activity of marine polyps or volcanic eruptions;
Habitability. Unlike populous continents, not all islands are inhabited.

continental patterns. How many continents are there?

Often people do not make a difference between the designations of the continent and the mainland, believing that these are synonyms. However, this is not the case, since the former include only those parts of the earth's land that do not have a land boundary.

Therefore, the two Americas are united into one American continent, and Africa, respectively, into Eurasia.

But not everyone supports such a division into 4 continents. modern countries. Afro-Eurasia is recognized only by English-speaking states with China and India. Also, not everyone agrees with the very principle of division, suggesting taking other factors as a basis.

Historical and cultural concept of "parts of the world", their names

If science deals with the difference between the concepts of “continent” and “mainland”, then history deals with the etymology of the origin of the “part of the world”. It was she who determined the significant cultural difference between the above-mentioned terms. At the same time, the total number (6 parts) is the same for them. Eurasia was divided on historical and cultural grounds into Europe and Asia, and the two Americas, on the contrary, were united into the New World.

The territory of Oceania was added to Australia. Otherwise, the usual picture remained, the writing of which people have been doing since ancient times. That is, long before scientific research. Only knowledge about the culture of the local population and its history was taken into account.

Video - Geography for children

Especially for children, simplified encyclopedias are compiled, with the designation of all geographical names. And the map of the world is characterized by the image of already studied continents. For example, in educational video you can see and hear not only the names of land areas, but also the animals living on them. Other interesting facts are also given in order to captivate the young viewer. For example, the geographical importance of the Amazon river system or the cold climate of Antarctica.

In another video, young listeners will learn not only how many continents there are on Earth, but also how they differ from parts of the world. The children themselves ask Professor Pervokhodtsev their own questions, to which he then answers them. For example, he reveals the secret of the existence of a once single continent and predicts its formation in the future. It also lifts the curtain on the riddle of the name of the Solomon Islands. And whoever is a particularly attentive and patient spectator will wait detailed description state of Tunisia.

O continents I knew from childhood, although up to ten years old I sometimes got confused in their number. By themselves, they were of no interest. Later, in geography lessons, I realized that they are of interest not only because of the obvious differences from each other (natural, historical, sociocultural), they can still tell a lot about geological history planets.

Earth and its continents

Continents- huge tracts of land in the middle of the oceans.

On our planet six continents:

Eurasia;
South America;
North America;
Africa;
Antarctica;
Australia.

Please note that the Arctic is not a mainland, because there is no land under the ice at the North Pole. But Antarctica is a continent, but covered with a huge crust of ice.

Should not be confused continents and parts of the world.

Asia and Europe are different parts of the world, but occupy one mainland. But North and South America - different continents , but united in a common part of the world - America.

The position of the continents changes all the time. Within a short human age, this is imperceptible, but lithospheric plates , from which the continents are formed, are actively moving, sometimes moving closer, sometimes moving away from each other.

Once upon a time, there was one supercontinent - Pangea. Gradually, it broke up into parts, which eventually led the Earth to the form in which we know it now.

Why are they called that

It's believed that Europe named after the heroine of the same name in ancient Greek mythology. Asia(Asia) stood out as a separate part of the world by the ancient Greeks. Under this name, she appeared in Homer's Iliad. But the exact etymology is unknown.

"Eurasia"- a simple merger of two words.

FROM Africa it's Complicated. As for the origin of this name, there are only assumptions. Maybe she's named after African tribes who once lived there. Maybe everything is much more complicated, and the roots lie in some other language of its peoples.

About America there are also different versions, but traditionally it is considered that it is named after the Florentine traveler Amerigo Vespucci.

Antarctica named in contrast to its polar "sister" Arctic. Ant-Arctic = opposite the Arctic. "Arctic" comes from the ancient Greek "arktos" - bear. It's connected with constellation Ursa Major pointing north.

Etymology australia quite clear. The name comes from the Latin "terra australis incognita" - "unknown southern land".

An amazing continent with over one billion people. There are jungles here, and even glaciers. The continent is located in all four hemispheres of the Earth. Learn more about the continent from the ten amazing and important geographic facts about Africa below.

Maybe Africa is the cradle of mankind

East African Rift Valley separating Somali and Nubian tectonic plates, is the site of several important discoveries of the remains of human ancestors by anthropologists. The active expanding valley is considered the cradle of mankind, where our journey probably began, millions of years ago. The discovery of Lucy's skeletal fragments in 1974 in Ethiopia was the impetus for serious research in the region.

Africa is the second largest continent in the world

Less than half of Africa's population lives in cities

Africa is a poorly urbanized region of the world. Only 39% of the continent's population lives in cities. The continent is home to only two metropolitan areas with over ten million inhabitants: Cairo (Egypt) and Lagos (Nigeria). Cairo has between 11 and 15 million people, while Lagos has between 10 and 12 million people. Africa's third largest city is probably Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with between 8 and 10 million people.

Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the continent

The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is above level. Located in Tanzania near the Kenyan border, this dormant volcano rises to a height of 5,895 meters. Kilimanjaro has Africa's only glacier, although scientists predict that all ice on the mountain's summit will disappear by the 2030s due to global warming.

Africa has the largest arid desert in the world

While the Sahara is not Earth's hottest desert, it is the most visible. The desert covers more than 9 million km², or about 31% of the total land area of the mainland.

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Consists of body of water and land. The share of the World Ocean accounts for 70.8% of the Earth's surface, which is 361.06 million km 2, and the share of land - 29.2%, or 149.02 million km 2.

It is customary to conditionally divide all the land of the Earth into parts of the world and continents.

Continents of the Earth

continents, or continents are very large areas of land surrounded by water (Table 1). There are six of them on Earth: Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica and Australia. All continents are quite well isolated from each other.

The total area of all continents is 139 million km2.

A piece of land that extends into an ocean or sea and is surrounded on three sides by water is called peninsula. The largest peninsula on Earth is the Arabian Peninsula (its area is 2732 thousand km 2).

A small piece of land compared to the mainland, surrounded on all sides by water, is island. There are single islands (the largest is Greenland, its area is 2176 thousand km 2) and clusters of islands - archipelagos(for example, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago). By origin, the islands are divided into:

continental - large islands that have separated from the continents and are located on the underwater margin of the continents (for example, the island of Great Britain);
oceanic, among which there are volcanic and coral.

Perhaps the largest number of volcanic islands can be observed in the Pacific Ocean. Coral (organogenic) islands are characteristic of the hot zone. Coral structures - atolls have the shape of a ring or a horseshoe with a diameter of up to several tens of kilometers. Sometimes atolls form truly gigantic clusters along the coast - barrier reefs(for example, the Great Barrier Reef along the east coast of Australia has a length of 2000 km).

Parts of the world

In addition to the division of land into continents, in the course of cultural and historical development, there was another allocation parts of the world of which there are also six: Europe, Asia, America, Africa, Antarctica and Australia. Part of the world includes not only the mainland, but also the islands adjacent to it. The islands of the Pacific Ocean, far from the mainland, form special group called Oceania. The largest of them - about. New Guinea (area - 792.5 thousand km 2).

Geography of the continents

The location of the continents, as well as differences in the properties of waters, the system of currents and tides, allows us to divide, called oceans.

Currently, five oceans are distinguished: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and since 1996, by decision of the Commission on Geographical Names, the South. More information about the oceans will be given in the next section.

Table 1. General information about the continents


Characteristics			North America	South America	Australia	Antarctica
Area, mln km2 without islands with islands
Coastline, thousand km
Length, km: from North to South from west to east
extreme points
northern	Cape Chelyuskin 77°43" N	m. Ben-Secca 37 ° 20 "n.l.	Cape Murchison 71°50" N	Cape Gapinas 12°25" N	m York 10°41"S	Sifre 63° S
	m. Piai 1° 16" media.	Cape Igolny 34°52" Yu.Sh.	m. Maryato 7° 12" N	Cape Froward 53°54" Jul.	m. Yugo-Vostochny 39°11" S
western	Cape Roca 9°34"W	Cape Almadi 17°32"W	m Prince of Wales 168°00"W	Cape Parinhas 81°20"W	m. Steep Point 113°05"E
Eastern	Dezhnev metro station 169°40"W	Cape Ras Hafun 51°23"E	m. St. Charles 55°40" PLN	Cape Cabo Branco 34°46"W	Cape Byron 153°39"E