2. What is a Continent?
• One of several large landmasses on Earth
• Mostly divided by water
• Caused by plate tectonics
3. How many are there?
• 7 Continents in total
– North America
– South America
– Antarctica
– Europe
– Asia
– Africa
– Australia
4. Pangaea
• All continents were one piece
• Pieces drifted apart
• Three phases to break-up:
– 1st began in Early-Middle Jurassic
– 2nd began in Early Cretaceous
– 3rd occurred in early Cenozoic
5. North America
• 3rd largest continent
• Contains 23 countries and dozens of territories
• Bordered by Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans
• Also bordered by Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico
• Contains Caribbean and Central America countries,
Canada, Mexico, the United States of America, and
Greenland
6. South America
• 4th largest continent
• Contains 12 independent countries and 3 major
territories
• Falkland Islands, Galapagos Islands, and French
Guiana
• Capital City is La Paz, Bolivia
7. Antarctica
• Takes up 8.9% of Earth’s land
• No capital city
• Antarctic Circle- one of five major circles
• Coldest, windiest spot
8. Europe
• 6th largest continent
• Contains 47 countries, assorted dependencies,
islands, and territories
• Covers 2% of Earth’s land
• Surrounded by numerous bodies of water
• Separated from Africa by Mediterranean Sea
9. Asia
• Largest continent
• 8.7% of Earth’s land
• Bordered by numerous bodies of water
• Over 3.8 billion people
10. Africa
• 2nd largest continent
• Includes 54 individual countries
• Surrounded by various bodies of water
• 2nd most populous continent (after Asia)
• Just over 1 billion people, 14% world’s
population
11. Australia
• Smallest continent
• 5.3% of Earth’s land
• Population: 32 million
• Combines all of Australia, New Zealand, Papua
New Guinea, and thousands of coral atolls and
volcanic islands
12. Interesting Animals in each
Continent
• North America:
– Ocelots, Bald Eagles, Eastern Coral Snake, Nine-
banded Armadillo, and Caribou
• South America:
– Capybara, Giant Tortoise, Anaconda, and
• Antarctica:
– Wandering Albatross, Polar Bear, Penguins, and Seals
13. More Interesting Animals in
Each Continent
• Europe:
– Komondor, European Lynx, Alpine Ibex, and Alpine
Marmot
• Asia:
– Sun Bear, Red Panda, Tapir, Bengal Tiger, and
Siamang Gibbon
• Africa:
– Wildebeest, Ostrich, Zebra, and Warthog
• Australia:
– Blobfish, Platypus, Kiwis, Koalas, and Kangaroos
14. Fun Facts
• Europe learns there are 6 continents
• South America has the Angel Falls, Venezuela,
Andes Mountains, Amazon River, and Atacama
Desert
• Antarctica is 98% solid ice
• Europe, not a continent but part of Euroasia
15. More Fun Facts
• Turkey, considered as part of Europe and Asia
• South Sudan, Africa’s newest country
• Australia now considered as Australia/Oceania
• Pangaea means “all lands” in Greek
