Oceans and Continents: Our Amazing Planet

Ever wondered what our Earth looks like from space? It’s a beautiful blue marble, with swirls of white clouds and patches of green and brown. Those green and brown patches are the continents, and the blue swirls are the oceans.

You know that continents cover 29 per cent of the surface of the earth and the remainder is under oceanic waters. The positions of the continents and the ocean bodies, as we see them in the map, have not been the same in the past. Moreover, it is now a well-accepted fact that oceans and continents will not continue to enjoy their present positions in times to come.

The Seven Continents

There are seven continents on Earth. They are:

1. Asia: The largest continent, home to the tallest mountain (Mount Everest) and the longest river (Yangtze).
2. Africa: The second-largest continent, known for its deserts, savannas, and rainforests.
3. North America: Home to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River.
4. South America: Known for the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and the Iguazu Falls.
5. Antarctica: The coldest continent, covered in ice and snow.
6. Europe: Home to many different countries and cultures, as well as the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea.
7. Australia: The smallest continent, known for its unique animals like kangaroos and koalas.

The Five Oceans

There are five major oceans on Earth:

1. Pacific Ocean: The largest ocean, covering more than half of Earth’s surface.
2. Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest ocean, separating North and South America from Europe and Africa.
3. Indian Ocean: Third-largest ocean, located between Asia, Africa, and Australia.
4. Arctic Ocean: The smallest ocean, surrounding the North Pole.
5. Southern Ocean: Encircling Antarctica.

Fun Facts:

• Australia is the only continent that is entirely located in the Southern Hemisphere.
• The Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean, is so deep that it could hold Mount Everest and still have room for another mile of water above it.
• The Amazon rainforest is so large that it produces more oxygen than all of the world’s other rainforests combined.
• Antarctica is the driest place on Earth, even though it’s covered in ice and snow.
• The Sahara Desert is so hot that it can reach temperatures of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The Grand Canyon is so deep that it could fit two Empire State Buildings standing on top of each other.

Have you ever been to the ocean or a different continent? What was your favorite part? Share your experiences in the comments below!