How many continents on Earth? Today believe that seven

What is our planet? How many continents on Earth? This is best seen when viewed from space. But not everyone has that opportunity, so we restrict the model of the planet – a globe. If you look at him closely, you will see that only a third of the Earth is covered by land and the rest water. The space sushi are divided into several areas, called continents, or continents. Previously it was thought that there are only five: America, Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia.

But today, scientists have a different opinion. First, during the construction of the Panama canal, America was divided into two continents-Northern and southern. Secondly, Antarctica. Previously believed that the area around the South pole – just huge chunks of ice, but now it is known that this is another continent. True, we live in it only the penguins, but that he does not cease to be land. So, we get the answer to the question about how many continents on Earth. It turns out, seven.

What are they?

Looking at a map or globe, we can see all the continents that exist on our planet. Talk about what they represent. To find out how many continents are on Earth, ask – what is it? Continents – huge areas of land, washed by oceans and seas.

If science, the continent (continens) – a large array of the earth's crust, most of which is above the level of the world ocean and is called land, and a smaller located below the marked level and is called peripheral. To this concept include Islands, located in the offshore zone of the mainland.

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How many continents on Earth, opinions differ to the present time. Their number in different interpretations their. For example, Europe and Asia – sometimes they are combined into a single continent called Eurasia. As for America, here the opposite is true: many consider it one continent despite the fact that it is separated by a channel on the North and South. Based on this, it turns out that everyone has their own approach. That's why scientists still have not decided, how many continents on Earth – six or seven.

Now, consider what represents each of them. Asia-the largest continent on the Earth. It has an area of 43 million square kilometers. Following huge areas of land – America and Africa. Of their area, respectively – 42 and 30 million sq. km.

But the continent Australia is the smallest on the planet. It takes only 8 million sq. km.

Antarctica called the land is also very difficult because it is under the ice armor. However, in spite of everything, it is the highest continent on the planet, its height – 2040 meters above sea level. Although Antarctica has no permanent population, but is always present more than 40 research stations of various States engaged in its study.

According to legend, in ancient times there existed another continent – the Atlantis. However, to prove this, scientists have been unable. It is believed that it was between America and Europe, but sank as a result of a powerful earthquake. That's how many continents on the planet, and each of them has its own climate, flora and fauna and, of course, the population.