The 7 Continents and 5 Oceans: A Guide to Geography

Did you know that there are seven continents and five oceans? Or that the number of continents has changed over time? In this blog post, we will explore the history of continents and oceans, as well as discuss the different geographical features found on each continent. We will also take a look at some interesting facts about each continent and ocean!

What Are Continents?

A continent is one of the several large landmasses on Earth. There are seven continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia/Oceania, Antarctica, North America and South America. Each of these continents has a distinct boundary that surrounds it except for boundaries that meet at some point in the ocean.

What Are Oceans?

Oceans are a large body of saltwater, covering about 71% of the Earth’s surface. Ocean water is also known as seawater. Oceans contain 97% of all the planet’s water and account for 99 per cent of its living space. Seawater has many functions such as regulating global climate by transferring heat from the tropics to the poles and moderating Earth’s temperature. Oceans also help in the production of oxygen and are a food source for many marine species.

Number of continents and oceans

So, how many continents and oceans are there? These are the number of continents and oceans on Earth, and make up the geographical world we live in. 

There are 7 continents and five oceans. Each continent and ocean has its unique features and attractions that make it a popular destination for tourists.

Africa

Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth and is home to 54 countries. It’s known for its beautiful wildlife, stunning landscapes and diverse cultures. Some of the most famous African landmarks include Victoria Falls, the Pyramids of Giza and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Asia

Asia is the largest continent on Earth and is home to 48 countries. It’s known for its rich history, diverse cultures and stunning landscapes. Some of the most famous Asian landmarks include Angkor Wat, Mount Fuji and the Great Wall of China.

Europe

Europe is home to 50 countries, making it the second-largest continent on Earth. It’s known for its rich history and diverse cultures. Some of the most famous European landmarks include Big Ben, Notre Dame Cathedral and Stonehenge (which no one knows how they built it!).

North America

North America is home to 23 countries, making it the third-largest continent on Earth. It’s known for its diverse cultures and stunning landscapes. Some of the most famous North American landmarks include Times Square, the Hollywood Sign and Niagara Falls.

South America

South America is home to 12 countries, making it the fourth-largest continent on Earth. It’s known for its rich history, diverse cultures and stunning landscapes. Some of the most famous South American landmarks include Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer (statue in Rio de Janeiro) and Iguazú Falls.

Antarctica

Antarctica is home to no countries, making it the fifth-largest continent on Earth. It’s known for its rich history and stunning landscapes. Some of the most famous Antarctic landmarks include McMurdo Station (a research station), Mount Erebus and Deception Island.

Australia

Australia is home to two continents, Oceania and Australasia, making it the smallest continent on Earth. It’s known for its rich history, diverse cultures and stunning landscapes. Some of the most famous Australian landmarks include the Sydney Opera House, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kangaroo Island.

Oceans Of The World

The Atlantic ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world’s five oceans, with a total area of about 106,460,000 square kilometres. It covers approximately 20% of the Earth’s surface and about 29% of its water surface. The Atlantic has a mean depth of about 4000 metres and the greatest depth of any ocean is about 8000 metres.

The Pacific ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth. It covers about 64% of the planet’s surface and has an area of more than 155,557,000 square kilometres. The deepest point in the Pacific is the Mariana Trench, which reaches a depth of 11,034 metres.

The Indian ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world’s five oceans, with a total area of about 68,560,000 square kilometres. It covers approximately 20% of the Earth’s surface and about 29% of its water surface. The Indian has a mean depth of about 4400 metres and the deepest point is the Sunda Trench, which reaches a depth of 7487 metres.

The Arctic ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world’s five oceans. It covers about 13,240,000 square kilometres or about 7% of the Earth’s surface. The Arctic has a mean depth of about 1500 metres and its deepest point is Lake Baikal, which reaches a depth of 1637 metres.

The Southern ocean

The Southern Ocean is the fourth-largest of the world’s five oceans, with a total area of about 20,327,000 square kilometres. It covers approximately 18% of the Earth’s surface and about 7% of its water surface. The Southern has a mean depth of about 3500 metres and its deepest point is the South Sandwich Trench, which reaches a depth of 8848 metres.

Conclusion 

The vast world includes multiple varied geographical and natural wonders. It is not always easy to remember all the facts about the topography of Earth, but remembering the basics like the names of continents and oceans is practised from childhood so it is on everyone’s fingertips by the time they grow up.