Continent
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| - | [[Image:Audubon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Birds of America'' (Color lithographic plate 321) ([[1836]]) - [[John James Audubon]]]] | + | [[Image:Silk Road.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Silk Road]], [[Silk Road transmission of art|transmitter]] of [[Western culture]]]] |
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| - | :''[[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Antarctica]], [[Europe]], and [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]'' | ||
| A '''continent''' is one of several large [[landmass]]es on [[Earth]]. They are generally identified by [[convention]] rather than any strict criteria, but seven areas are commonly regarded as continents – they are (from largest in size to smallest): [[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Antarctica]], [[Europe]], and [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]. | A '''continent''' is one of several large [[landmass]]es on [[Earth]]. They are generally identified by [[convention]] rather than any strict criteria, but seven areas are commonly regarded as continents – they are (from largest in size to smallest): [[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Antarctica]], [[Europe]], and [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]. | ||
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| + | A '''continent''' is one of several very large [[Land#Land mass|landmasses]] of the [[world]]. Generally identified by [[convention (norm)|convention]] rather than any strict criteria, up to seven regions are commonly regarded as continents. Ordered from largest in area to smallest, they are: [[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Antarctica]], [[Europe]], and [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]. | ||
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| + | [[Geology|Geologically]], the continents largely correspond to areas of [[continental crust]] that are found on the [[plate tectonics|continental plates]]. However, some areas of continental crust are [[submerged continent|regions covered with water]] not usually included in the list of continents. [[Zealandia]] is one such area (see [[#Submerged continents|submerged continents]] below). | ||
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| + | Islands are frequently grouped with a neighbouring continent to divide all the world's land into [[geopolitics|geopolitical]] regions. Under this scheme, most of the island countries and territories in the [[Pacific Ocean]] are grouped together with the [[Australia (continent)|continent of Australia]] to form a geopolitical region called ''[[Oceania]]''. | ||
| + | == Supercontinents == | ||
| + | Aside from the conventionally known continents, the scope and meaning of the term ''continent'' varies. [[Supercontinent]]s, largely in evidence earlier in the geological record, are landmasses that comprise more than one [[craton]] or continental core. These have included [[Laurasia]], [[Gondwana]], [[Vaalbara]], [[Kenorland]], [[Columbia (supercontinent)|Columbia]], [[Rodinia]], and [[Pangaea]]. | ||
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| + | == See also == | ||
| + | * [[List of continent name etymologies]] | ||
| + | * [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by continent]] | ||
| + | * [[List of supercontinents]] | ||
| + | * [[List of transcontinental countries]] | ||
| + | * [[Lists of cities]] | ||
| + | * [[Subregion]] | ||
| + | * [[Continental Europe]] | ||
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A continent is one of several large landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, but seven areas are commonly regarded as continents – they are (from largest in size to smallest): Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
A continent is one of several very large landmasses of the world. Generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, up to seven regions are commonly regarded as continents. Ordered from largest in area to smallest, they are: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
Geologically, the continents largely correspond to areas of continental crust that are found on the continental plates. However, some areas of continental crust are regions covered with water not usually included in the list of continents. Zealandia is one such area (see submerged continents below).
Islands are frequently grouped with a neighbouring continent to divide all the world's land into geopolitical regions. Under this scheme, most of the island countries and territories in the Pacific Ocean are grouped together with the continent of Australia to form a geopolitical region called Oceania.
Supercontinents
Aside from the conventionally known continents, the scope and meaning of the term continent varies. Supercontinents, largely in evidence earlier in the geological record, are landmasses that comprise more than one craton or continental core. These have included Laurasia, Gondwana, Vaalbara, Kenorland, Columbia, Rodinia, and Pangaea.
See also
- List of continent name etymologies
- List of sovereign states and dependent territories by continent
- List of supercontinents
- List of transcontinental countries
- Lists of cities
- Subregion
- Continental Europe
