CONTINENTS OF THE WORLD — LOCATION, AREA AND MAJOR FEATURES

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

CONTINENTS OF THE WORLD — LOCATION, AREA AND MAJOR FEATURES

1. Introduction

• A continent is a very large continuous landmass forming a major division of the Earth’s surface.
• The commonly used geographical classification recognises seven continents—Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.
• NCERT maps also present the world in terms of these major continental landmasses surrounded by the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Southern Oceans. (NCERT)

2. Asia — Largest Continent

• Asia is the largest and most populous continent, covering roughly 44.5 million sq. km.
• It lies mainly in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres and extends from the Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.
• Asia contains the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, vast Siberian plains, deserts and major river valleys.
• Mount Everest, 8,848.86 metres, on the Nepal–China boundary, is the world’s highest peak. NCERT also identifies Everest as Asia’s highest summit. (NCERT)

3. Africa — Second-Largest Continent

• Africa covers about 30.3 million sq. km and is crossed by both the Equator and the Prime Meridian.
• Its major physical features include the Sahara Desert, Ethiopian Highlands, East African Rift Valley and Congo Basin.
• The Nile, Congo, Niger and Zambezi are major rivers.
• Mount Kilimanjaro, about 5,895 metres high, is Africa’s highest mountain.

4. North America

• North America covers approximately 24.7 million sq. km and lies mainly in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.
• Major physical divisions include the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Canadian Shield and Appalachian Mountains.
• The Great Lakes and the Mississippi–Missouri river system are important geographical features.
• Denali, about 6,190 metres high, is its highest peak.

5. South America

• South America has an area of approximately 17.8 million sq. km.
• The Andes Mountains, the world’s longest continental mountain chain, extend along its western margin.
• The Amazon Basin contains the world’s largest tropical rainforest and one of its greatest river systems.
• Aconcagua, about 6,962 metres, is South America’s highest peak. (NCERT)

6. Antarctica