Continents and Oceans: Complete List

Any of the several large geographical regions or the main land division is termed as a Continent. There are 7 continents on the planet Earth. An Ocean is the largest water body that covers approximately 70.8% of the Earth and 97% of Earth’s water. There are 5 oceans on Earth. The continents of the earth are surrounded by the oceans. 

Continents and Oceans of the World

Image Courtesy: Britannica

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7 Continents

From largest to smallest, the continents of the earth are: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

Continent - Asia

1. Asia is the largest continent and it covers 1/3rd of the total surface area of the earth.
2. The continent lies in the Eastern Hemisphere. 
3. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Asia. 
4. Asia is separated from Europe by the Ural mountains on the west.
5. The combined landmass of Europe and Asia is called the Eurasia (Europe + Asia).
6. Some of the world’s largest countries like China, India are in Asia. 
7. Asia is a home to 48 countries. 

Continent Asia: Image from Nations Online Project

Continent - Africa

1. After Asia, Africa is the second largest continent of the earth. 
2. A largest part of African continent lies in the Northern Hemisphere. 
3. African continent has more countries than Asia; 54 countries in Africa.
4. The Equator or 00 latitude runs almost through the middle of the African continent. 
5. Africa is the only continent through which the Tropic of Cancer, the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn passes by. 
6. The world’s largest hot dessert, the Sahara Desert, is situated in Africa. 
7. Africa continent is surrounded by oceans and seas on all sides (Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean). 
8. Nile, the world’s longest river flows through Africa. 
9. The most populous country of Africa is Nigeria. 
10. The largest country by land area or surface area in Africa is Algeria.

Continent Africa: Image from Nations Online Project

Continent - North America

1. It is the third largest continent. 
2. North America is linked to South America by a very narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama. 
3. The continent lies completely in the Northern and Western Hemisphere. 

Continent North America: Image from Nations Online Project

Continent - South America

1. South America lies mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. 
2. The Andes, world’s longest mountain range, runs through its length from north to south. 
3. South America has the world’s largest river, the Amazon.
4. The largest country in land area and population in South America is Brazil. 
5. South America is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea to the northwest and north, the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast, east, and southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Continent South America: Image from Nations Online Project

Continent - Antarctica

1. It is the 5th largest continent. 
2. Antarctica, completely in the Southern Hemisphere, is a huge continent. 
3. The South Pole lies almost at the centre of this continent. 
4. The continent Antarctica is twice the size of the contennt Australia. 
5. As it is located in the South Polar Region, it is permanently covered with thick ice sheets. 
6. There are no permanent human settlements. 
7. Many countries have research stations in Antarctica. 
8. The name of the Indian research stations in Antarctica areI: Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri.

Continent Antarctica: Image from Britannica

Continent - Europe

1. Europe is much smaller than Asia. Also called as second smallest continent. 
2. The continent lies to the west of Asia. 
3. The european continent has 45 countries. 
4. The Arctic Circle passes through it. It is bound by water bodies on three sides. 
5. Russia, the world's largest country is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.

Continent Europe: Image from Nations Online Project

Continent - Australia

1. Australia is the smallest continent that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. 
2. It is surrounded on all sides by the oceans and seas. 
3. It is called an island continent. 
4. Australia is the largest country in the oceania region.

Continent Australia: Image from Nations Online Project

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5 Oceans

Large sea areas or huge bodies of saltwater are called Oceans. These oceans are separated by huge land masses called continents. A sea is generally smaller than an Ocean and is part of an Ocean. Oceans are the major part of hydrosphere. They are all interconnected. The 5 Oceans are given below: 

Oceans of the World: Image from geology.com

Pacific Ocean 

1. The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on the planet. 
2. The Marina Trench is the deepest location. 
3. It is spread over over 1/3rd of the earth. 
4. The Pacific Ocean is almost circular in shape. 
5. Asia, Australia, North and South Americas surround it. 

Pacific Ocean: Image from Britannica

Atlantic Ocean 

1. The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest Ocean in the world. 
2. The Ocean is in the ‘S’ shape. 
3. It is bound by the North and South Americas on the western side, and Europe and Africa on the east side. 
4. The Atlantic Ocean covers 29% of the earth’s water. 
5. The coastline of Atlantic Ocean is highly indented. 
6. This irregular and indented coastline provides ideal location for natural harbours and ports.
7. From the point of view of commerce, it is the busiest Ocean.

Atlantic Ocean: Image from Britannica

Indian Ocean

1. The Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country, India because of its ongest coastline which is longer than any other country in the Indian Ocean rim. 
2. The shape of the Indian ocean is almost triangular. 
3. The Indian ocean covers 1/5th of earth’s water.
4. It is the third largest ocean in the world. 
5. The Indian Ocean is bound by Asia in the North, Africa in the West and Australia in the East. 

Indian Ocean: Image from geographicguide

Southern (Antarctic) Ocean

1. Southern Ocean is also called as Antarctic Ocean and South Polar Ocean. 
2. It comprises the Southernmost waters of the world’s ocean.
3. It covers 1/16th of Earth’s total ocean area. 
4. The Southern Ocean surrounds the Antarctica continent in a circular area and extends northward to 60 degrees south latitude.
5. No countries border the Southern Ocean. 
6. The only land area that border the Antarctic Ocean is Antarctica Continent. Antarctica is not owned by any country.

Southern Ocean: Image from Geology

Arctic Ocean 

1. The Arctic Ocean is located within the Arctic Circle and surrounds the North Pole. 
2. It is the smallest and shaalowest oceans. 
3. The arctic ocean is also known as the coldest ocean. 
4. The arctic ocean is connected to Pacific Ocean by a narrow stretch of shallow water known as Berring strait. 
5. Some oceanographers call it the Arctic Mediterranean Sea.
6. It is almost triangular in shape.
7. The ocean is bound by northern coasts of North America and Eurasia.

Arctic Ocean: Image from Britannica