What Are The Seven Continents In The World? Know Interesting Facts About Them – News18

Last Updated:March 17, 2025, 13:17 IST

The Earth has seven continents that were once part of Pangaea, with Asia being the largest, Australia the smallest, and Antarctica the coldest and driest.

GK, General Knowledge: The Earth has seven large landmasses called continents. These are Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. Long ago, there was only one giant landmass called Pangaea. Over millions of years, it broke apart to form the seven continents. This happened due to the movement of huge plates beneath the Earth’s surface. When these plates move and push against each other, they create landmasses.

Let’s Take A Closer Look At These Continents

Asia

Asia is the largest continent in the world, as it has both the biggest land area and the highest population. The continent has 48 countries and covers approximately 44.5 million square kilometres. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Indian Ocean to the south. The Ural Mountains separate it from Europe, while the Red Sea and the Sinai Peninsula separate it from Africa. Asia is also home to the world’s highest mountain ranges—the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, is also in Asia. The two most populous countries in the world—China and India—are part of this continent.

Africa

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world after Asia. It covers about 30.3 million square kilometres, has 54 countries, and is home to over 16% of the world’s population. Africa is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east, and both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to the south. It is the only continent where the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn all pass through. Africa is also home to the world’s longest river, the Nile, and the second-highest waterfall, Tugela Falls in South Africa.

North America

North America is the third-largest continent by area and the fourth-largest by population. It covers approximately 24.7 million square kilometres and consists of 23 countries. The continent lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic Ocean lies to its north, the Atlantic Ocean to its east, and the Pacific Ocean to its west, with South America to its south. A narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama connects North America to South America. The Bering Strait, a water passage, separates it from Asia.

South America

South America is the fourth-largest continent in the world, but in terms of population, it ranks fifth. Consisting of 24 countries, this continent lies in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres. It covers an area of about 17.8 million square kilometres. South America is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Southern Ocean to the south, and North America to the north. South America is also home to the Amazon Rainforest, often called the “lungs of the Earth” as these forests produce much of the world’s oxygen.

Antarctica

Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent, covering an area of about 14.2 million square kilometres. The continent lies almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and contains the geographic South Pole. It is mostly covered by the massive Antarctic ice sheet. Antarctica is completely encircled by the Southern Ocean, which separates it from other continents. It has no countries or permanent human population, but scientists have established research stations there.

Europe

Europe is the sixth-largest continent by area, covering approximately 10.18 million square kilometres. It lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. The continent has 48 countries. It shares its landmass with Asia, forming Eurasia. The Arctic Ocean lies to its north, the Atlantic Ocean to its west, and the Mediterranean Sea to its south. On the eastern side, the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Greater Caucasus, the Black Sea, and the Bosporus Strait separate it from Asia.

ALSO READ: Bhojpuri In Mauritius? Here’s How This Language Became Such An Essential Part Of The Country

Australia

Australia is the smallest continent in the world. It is also the flattest and the second driest after Antarctica. In terms of population, it is the second least populated continent after Antarctica. The continent covers an area of about 8.5 million square kilometres and consists of 14 countries. To avoid confusion with the country of Australia, the region is often referred to as Oceania.

Interesting Facts About The Seven Continents

• Asia has both the highest point—Mount Everest (8,848.86 metres)—and the lowest natural point, the Dead Sea (-430 metres).
• Africa is often called the “Cradle of Humankind” because scientists believe modern humans first appeared there.
• North America has the longest land border in the world, between Canada and the United States, stretching over 8,891 km.
• South America is home to Machu Picchu in Peru, one of the most famous ancient sites in the world.
• Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth.
• Australia has Uluru (Ayers Rock), the largest monolith in the world.