In the US, we are taught that there are 7 continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Australia). We are taught this 7 continent rule as if it were law. (At least, that's how I was taught.)
In some parts of the world, they are taught that there are 5 or 6 continents (I believe they are taught as America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and sometimes Antarctica).
What are your thoughts on this? What makes a continent a continent? How were you taught continents? Any informed geography majors out there want to weigh in on this?
I have my own thoughts on how they should be taught, as a Political Science grad student, but is there a general standard based on physical geography?
2006-07-24
19:22:48
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3 answers
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asked by
Anonymous