| Viewed from space, the Earth appears to have | | | | continents methodology, Asia extends over |
| four or five major landmass areas depending | | | | much of Russia, the Mideast and even parts of |
| on your viewpoint. Despite this, we hold on | | | | Egypt.Often referred to as the forgotten |
| to the illusion there are more continents.As | | | | continent, Australia is the fourth continent. |
| we all learned in grade school, there are | | | | Incorrectly referred to as an island for |
| seven continents. A quick look at a globe, | | | | significant periods of history, Australia is |
| however, reveals this basic assumption is | | | | undoubtedly a continent. That being said, it |
| just flat wrong. In particular, how can | | | | is the smallest in landmass with just more |
| Europe be considered a continent when there | | | | than 4,000,000 square miles, but has a |
| is no clear division with Russia?To the | | | | healthy population of over 20 million |
| surprise of many, the Arctic is not | | | | people.Europe is also considered a continent, |
| classified as a continent. Instead, it is | | | | but there is little geographic evidence |
| divided up between North America and Asia. | | | | supporting this claim. The continental |
| Yes, Asia because Russia is considered to be | | | | designation is primarily a political and |
| part of it in the seven continents model. | | | | historical development. Regardless, Europe |
| Following are the accepted seven continents | | | | covers an area of 4 million square miles, but |
| in alphabetical order.Africa is undeniably a | | | | is heavily populated with over eleven percent |
| continent by any definition. It is also the | | | | of the world population at 705 million |
| second largest one as a measure of landmass, | | | | people.North America is our next continent. |
| covering over 11,700,000 square miles and | | | | Once again, we run into the practical issue |
| making up 5.9 percent of the total surface of | | | | of boundaries. Using the seven continent |
| the Earth. As a measure of population, Africa | | | | methodology, North America extends into the |
| is second most populous continent with over | | | | arctic as expected, but is also considered to |
| 840 million people.Antarctica is also | | | | include much of Central America. The total |
| considered a continent, if a particularly | | | | landmass is 9.45 million square miles. 514 |
| barren one. 98 percent of Antarctica is | | | | million people are estimated to live in North |
| covered in ice and it is the only continent | | | | America.Our final continent is South America. |
| neither considered a country nor claimed by | | | | Covering 6.9 million square miles, South |
| any other country.Based on sheer size, Asia | | | | America covers 3.5 percent of the total |
| is the dominant continent in the world. It | | | | surface of the Earth. With a population of |
| has the largest landmass area and is home to | | | | 371 million people, it ranks as the fifth |
| over 60 percent of all humans. Talk about | | | | most populous nation.The misleading nature of |
| traffic jams! In truth, the measurements on | | | | the seven continent theory has to do with |
| Asia can be a bit misleading. Under the seven | | | | Europe. |