Continents of the Earth

The continents of the earth are a unique feature of our planet along with the presence of huge expanses of oceans. It was during the cooling down process that the earth’s crust was formed. Beneath the earth’s crust is the mantel which is at some points both fluid and solid. Beneath the mantle is the core which is made up of molten rock and minerals that were created during its creation. When through the fissures the molten rock or magma erupts out through volcanoes, throughout time it contributes to the creation of landforms or islands which fall under the continent’s categorisation. 

Continents 

The continents are landmasses that contain within them many landforms and relief features. The continents are floating on the crust of the earth which are essentially gigantic chunks of broken rock deposition known as tectonic plates. The shifting of these plates creates landforms. The continents are showcased and drawn on a world map as well. There are 7 major continents, although the phases of earth’s evolution since its conception has seen many forms and numbers of formation of continents and oceans:

• Africa
• Asia
• North America
• South America
• Australia
• Europe
• Antarctica

Continents are essentially contiguous land masses sharing similar climatic conditions, and being distinct, culturally different, and large. There are no rigid criteria in defining continents in geography and it is mostly defined as a convention. Almost 1/3rd of the surface is made up of landmasses. The world map helps in visualising the continents. 

Formation

It was during the cooling down process that the earth’s crust was formed. Beneath the earth’s crust is the mantel which is at some points both fluid and solid. Beneath the mantle is the core which is made up of molten rock and minerals that were created during its creation. When through the fissures the molten rock or magma erupts out through volcanoes, throughout time it contributes to the creation of landforms or islands. Continents were also formed due to the activity of the crust, specifically, the tectonic plates. It is in understanding the continents and their distinct nature that the world map is studied. The world map showcases various types of continents and oceans as well. The different kinds of vegetation, climatic conditions, and landforms are also depicted on the world map. 

Types

The map of the world can show the different types of continents that have been categorised in geography. The various types of continents are:

• Supercontinents- having more than the singular core crust, for example, Laurasia
• Microcontinents- These are made up of islands residing on a crust for example Madagascar
• Subcontinents- Particular regions of a continent can be subcontinents if they support a vast range of diversity for example Indian subcontinent
• Submerged continents- Continents under the ocean, for example, Zealandia

Diversity

The varieties of continents support a large range of diversity beginning from fauna, flora, climate, weather, relief features, water forms, ethnicity and linguistic differences, and many more. The continents of the earth also support a major portion of the earth’s living organisms. 

Conclusion

There are two types of crust which are the continental crust meaning on which the continents are formed and the oceanic crust which supports the bodies of oceans. It has been found by scientists that the oceanic crust is much heavier and denser than the continental crust. The varieties of continents support a large range of diversity beginning from fauna, flora, climate, weather, relief features, water forms, ethnicity and linguistic differences, and many more.