Welcome to Your Journey Through the Continents!
HOME| INTRODUCTION| TASK| PROCESS| EVALUATION| CONCLUSION|
A continent is defined as a large unbroken land mass completely surrounded by water, although in some cases continents are (or were in part) connected by land bridges. The seven continents are North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.
While each continent displays its unique physical and cultural characteristics, according to the continental drift theory, the continental plates are constantly shifting relative to each other. It is believed that about 200 million years ago, all of the continents were part of a singular landmass known as Pangaea which broke away due to continental drift and the plates gradually moved away from each other resulting in the emergence of the seven continents as we know them today.
This drifting apart had also resulted in the expansion of the sea floor and the opening up of the ocean basins. It also led to the emergence of certain mountain ranges when two landmasses collided and pushed against each other.
Proponents of this theory have supported their hypotheses by geological evidences such as identical or similar fossil findings and ancient rocks, and the prevalence of similar flora and fauna in two continents located far away from each other.
Looking at the world continents and oceans map, it cannot be denied, however, that each of the world continents is unique in terms of its peculiar physical and cultural diversity which deserves our attention.
Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Geography
7.1.3 Basic Geography Literacy
B- Identify and locate places and regions
-Physical features - Continents
-Human features - Countries
7.2.3 The Physical Characteristics of Places and Regions
A- Identify the physical characteristics of places and regions
