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