Continents-and-Oceans-of-the-World-PowerPoint.pdf, Study notes of Geographic Data and Information

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What Is a Continent?

A continent is a very large landmass. A continent is usually separated by water or other natural features, like mountains. There are seven continents in the world:

1. Asia
2. Africa
3. North America
4. South America
5. Antarctica
6. Europe
7. Australasia Let’s Find Out More! Did You Know? Continents only cover 29% of the Earth. The rest of the Earth’s surface is water!

Africa

• Africa has 54 countries, more than any other continent.
• Major countries include Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.
• Africa has the longest river in the world, the Nile.
• Africa also has the world’s biggest non-polar desert, the Sahara.
• In Africa, you will find giraffes, elephants and lions. Africa is the second biggest continent in the world.

North America

• Major countries in North America include the USA and Canada.
• Pumpkin and corn originally came from here.
• North America is home to bears, moose and skunks. North America is the third biggest continent in the world.

Antarctica

• Antarctica is almost completely covered in ice.
• It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean.
• It is the coldest and windiest continent.
• Each year, hundreds of scientists live and work in Antarctica.
• Antarctica is home to penguins, albatross and seals. Antarctica is the third smallest continent in the world.

Europe

Europe is the second smallest continent in the world.

• Europe has 44 countries altogether.
• Major countries include France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
• Apples, pears and raspberries all originally come from Europe.
• The majority of Australians have ancestors from Europe.
• Europe is home to foxes, wolves and bears.

Use an atlas to locate the 7 continents on your map

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the biggest ocean in the world. It reaches from North and South America to Asia and Australia. The Pacific Ocean is surrounded by a line of volcanoes known as the Ring of Fire. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef , which is the largest coral reef in the world. Challenger Deep , the deepest point on Earth, is in the Pacific Ocean. Did You Know…? The word ‘Pacific’ means peaceful.

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second biggest ocean in the world. It reaches from North and South America to Europe and Africa. The Atlantic Ocean is huge, but only half the size of the Pacific Ocean. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge , the longest mountain range in the world, is underwater in the Atlantic Ocean. Did You Know…? The first person to sail across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to America was Leif Eriksson, a Viking, in the year 1000.

Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean is the second smallest ocean in the world. It is also known as the Antarctic Ocean as it surrounds Antarctica. It is the coldest and wildest ocean in the world. The Southern Ocean is home to emperor penguins, blue whales, elephant seals, giant squid and the wandering albatross.

Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean in the world. It surrounds the Arctic. Often, the Arctic Ocean is completely covered in ice. Polar bears live on the ice that covers the ocean and can swim in the water. Did You Know…? Because of climate change, the amount of ice covering the Arctic is getting smaller every year.

Use an atlas to now add the 5 oceans on your map

Word Bank Arctic Ocean Southern Ocean Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean