How Many Continents Are There?

Updated August 2, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

Source: iStock

Like a large jigsaw puzzle, the surface of the Earth is divided up into interlocking pieces that form the world we know today. And when it comes to the number of continents, it hasn’t always been the same. From the first supercontinent of Pangaea to the slightly controversial list of large landmasses, get ready to dive into an important geographic question.

What Is a Continent?

Simply put, a continent is defined as a sizeable and continuous land mass that creates a specific region. These regions can encompass several countries with certain cultural traits or simply contain a portion of the continental crust.

For instance, the South American continent has 12 individual countries, whereas the Middle East is not a continent in its own right — instead, it spans Turkey, Egypt, and Western Asia, making it a prominent area across three continents.

As such, not every land mass is listed under the continents of the world. And even more interesting, due to continental drift and changes in tectonic plates, a specific continent might be in a slightly different part of the world in thousands of years!

Let’s take a moment to discover the continents of the world and identify where these regions currently are.^[2]

Are There 7 or 8 Continents in the World?

In the United States and other English-speaking countries, it is usually taught that there are seven continents on Earth: Asia, Europe, Africa, Antarctica, North America, South America, and Australia (or Oceania, which includes the Pacific Islands). But the world map isn't so simple.

The exact number of continents is actually something of a controversy. The definition of the continents is as much a political issue as it is a geological one, leading to multiple continent models.

What Are the Main 7 Continents?

The primary continents can be arranged easily, in terms of the total area in the region. The continents in order from largest to smallest include the following:

1. Asian Continent (17.2 million sq. miles).
2. African Continent (11.6 million sq. miles).
3. North American Continent (9.4 million sq. miles).
4. South American Continent (6.9 million sq. miles).
5. Antarctic Continent (5.5 million sq. miles).
6. European Continent (3.8 million sq. miles).
7. Australian Continent (3 million sq. miles).

Depending on the country in question, it might not fall into the region or continent model that you expect, with common mistakes including Southeast Asia, Japan, or Mexico. Earth’s surface is not as easily divisible as a simple list of continents might lead us to believe!

Now, let’s take a brief trip around the globe on Infoplease to discover the seven continents and some fast facts about each.

North America

North America is a vast continent comprising Canada, the United States, and Mexico, with a combined population of over 580 million people. It is home to some of the world's most iconic landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls.

The continent boasts a fascinating history and cultural heritage, from the indigenous peoples who have lived on the continent for thousands of years to the European explorers who arrived in the 16th century. It is a global economic powerhouse, with a diverse range of industries and sectors. Whether you're interested in nature, culture, or business, North America offers a wealth of opportunities for exploration and growth.

South America

South America is a continent of breathtaking natural beauty, with diverse landscapes ranging from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains and the stunning beaches of Brazil. It is home to a rich cultural heritage, with indigenous communities and colonial influences that are evident in its art, music, and cuisine. South America is also a main location for adventure travel, with opportunities for hiking, surfing, and wildlife watching.

Europe

The continent of Europe is one of immense diversity, comprising 44 countries with a combined population of over 740 million people. It is home to some of the world's most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and the Acropolis.

Europe's immense history and culture are evident in its art, architecture, and cuisine. From the northern lights in Scandinavia to the beaches of the Mediterranean, both Eastern and Western Europe offer a wide range of natural beauty. It is a leading global economy and a hub for innovation and technology. Whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or business, Europe has something for everyone.

Africa

Africa is a continent that boasts vast diversity, both in its geography and in the people who call it home. With an area of 30.2 million square kilometers and a population of over 1.2 billion, it is the second largest continent in the world. From the Sahara Desert in the north to the Congo Basin's lush rainforests and the savannas of the south, Africa is a land of contrasts and is home to some of the world's most iconic wildlife.

However, Africa's richness goes beyond its natural beauty. With over 2,000 languages spoken across its 54 countries, it is a continent of great cultural and linguistic diversity. Africa is the birthplace of some of the world's oldest civilizations, including Egypt in North Africa, and has a rich history of trade and commerce. As it continues to develop and modernize, Africa has the potential to become a significant player on the global stage.

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, covering one-third of the Earth's land area. It is home to over 4.5 billion people, making up 60% of the world's population. The continent is considered the birthplace of many of the world's oldest civilizations, including Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilization, and ancient China.

Asia is home to a diverse range of landscapes, from the frozen tundra of Siberia to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. Asian cuisine is also renowned worldwide, with dishes such as sushi, curry, and stir-fry enjoyed by millions.

Australia

Australia is a continent of vast diversity and natural beauty. It is the world's sixth-largest country and is home to over 25 million people. From its rugged outback and pristine beaches to its tropical rainforests and vibrant cities, Australia is a land of contrasts and is a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

One of the most iconic features of Australia is its wildlife. From kangaroos and koalas to crocodiles and sharks, Australia is home to a diverse array of unique and fascinating animals. It is also home to some of the world's most beautiful natural wonders, such as Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef.

It should be noted that New Zealand and New Caledonia are not considered part of the Australian continent.

Antarctica

Antarctica is a continent of extremes, with the coldest temperatures and harshest conditions on Earth. It is the fifth largest continent, but it has no permanent human population. Instead, it is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. Antarctica is also a crucial part of the global climate system, with its ice sheets and glaciers playing a key role in regulating sea levels.

Despite its extreme conditions, Antarctica remains a fascinating destination for scientific research and exploration, with opportunities for adventure and discovery that are unparalleled anywhere else on Earth.

Doesn’t Science Have an Answer for the Number of Continents?

Geologists and geographers would say a continent is a large landmass surrounded by water. This includes land area and the continental shelf extending beyond it. A continent is usually distinguished from a large island by plate tectonics, as most continents exist on a single large continental plate.

Japan, for example, is not a continent despite how large it is. But, since the majority of it is on Asia's plate, it's considered part of Asia instead of being grouped with the oceanic countries on the same plate as the Philippines or the Pacific, and likewise with Greenland. This seems like a reasonable standard for what defines a continent. But, there are two problems with that approach.

The first is that there are subcontinents, large landmasses on their own tectonic plates that are attached to larger continents. India is a subcontinent, as are the Arabian peninsula and the Isthmus of Panama (and other parts of Central America). The movement of these subcontinents is responsible for a lot of mountain ranges and other geographical features. For example, the movement of India toward China is was creates the Himalayas. 

The second is that as lot of people don't actually want to use that model. By that standard, Europe doesn't exist. There is zero geological basis for the existence of Europe, and many specialists consider it part of Eurasia. and yet most people on Earth insist that the Ural Mountains demarcate Europe and Asia into separate continents. 

This gets even more strange when the matter of Russia comes up. Russia as a single country is always in two continents. Per tradition, there is European Russia and there is Asian Russia. If we went by tectonic plates, there would be Eurasian Russia and North American Russia; the North American plate crosses the Pacific Ocean at the Bering Strait. 

In much of Latin America, conversely, it is common to group the Americas together despite being on different plates, due to a perceived continuity across the New World. 

What Other Continent Models Are There?

Perhaps the most radical model is the Four Continents model. According to this idea, any large connected landmass is the same continent. That would just leave North and South America as a single continent, Africa and Eurasia as a single continent, Australia, and Antarctica. 

There is the Five Continents model which still groups the Americas and Caribbean into a single American continent, while still recognizing Eurasia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica.

There are two competing Six Continents models, which group the Americas but split Europe and Asia, or vice versa.

There is the Eight Continents model, which includes the recently minted Zealandia around New Zealand on top of the traditional Seven Continents.

Then there is the alternate version of the Seven Continents model, which clumps Eurasia but recognizes Zealandia. 

What’s Next for the Separate Continents?

This is all likely to change and develop over time. In fact, continents change all the time, in a physical sense and in an abstract sense. The continents used to be all combined into a supercontinent called Pangaea.

Over time, Earth's surface could be unrecognizable. On a geological time scale, the largest continent today could simply no longer exist, or the smallest continents could crash together.