why americans say there are 7 continents and many other countries say there are 5, which one is correct?

Answer 1

Since geography is defined by local convention and there is difficulty in setting lines in terms of "continuous", there are several variations as to which land masses qualify as continents, and which must be classified as supercontinents, microcontinents, subcontinents or islands. Seven landmasses and their associated islands are commonly reckoned as continents, but these may be consolidated. For example, North and South America are often considered a single continent, and Asia is often united with Europe. Ignoring cases where Antarctica is omitted, or where Australasia or Oceania are used in place of Australia (when considered as the largest island of the globe), there are half a dozen traditions for naming the continents.

The 7-continent model is usually taught in Western Europe, China, and most native English-speaking countries. The 6-continent combined-America model is taught in Latin America, Iberia and some other parts of Europe. The 6-continent combined-Eurasia model is preferred by the geographic community, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Japan. In all of these cases, the names Australasia or Oceania may be used in place of Australia; in Canada, the government-approved Atlas of Canada names 7 continents and indicates Oceania instead.

Historians may use the 5-continent model in which North Africa is separated from Sub-Saharan Africa and included in Eurasia (Jared Diamond) or the 4-continent Afro-Eurasian (Andre Gunder Frank).

See in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent

Answer 2

Years ago there were five continents recognized as such:
America - Europe - Africa - Asia and Australia.

As you see, North-, Middle- and South-America were seen as one continent and Antarctica was not taken into account at all, presumably because nobody lives there and because it is divided into sectors that belong to different countries.

Today the Americans and others recognize 7 continents:
North-America (which includes Mexico) - South America (which includes Middle-America) - Europe - Africa - Asia - Australia and Antarctica.

Neither is wrong. It is just a matter of choice and preference.

Answer 3

Don't know which countries are teaching about five continents....

In Europe, many students are taught about six continents, where North and South America is combined to form a single America. Thus, these six continents are Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Many geographers and scientists now refer to six continents, where Europe and Asia are combined (since they're one solid landmass). Thus, these six continents are Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America.

However, the National Geographic Society recognizes seven continents.

Answer 4

1. North America
2. South America (split at Panama Canal)
3. EuroAsia
4. Africa (split at the Suez Canal)
5. Atartica

6.? Australia (Oceania)

Some do not consider Australia a continent, but id say its worthy of beeing a continent since it covers 7,682,300 SQ KM, especial since Europe is 9,938,000 sq km.

Answer 5

I was born in Croatia (ex-Yugoslavia). Both my sons were born in Serbia. My geography teacher in Split, Croatia, and their geography teacher here in Belgrade, Serbia, taught us the same thing: there are 7 continents, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica.

Answer 6

most countries except the good ol us teach only five continents, america, europe, asia, oceania, and africa, to them, antartica doesnt count since its not a populated land mass, the us teaches seven counting antartica and seperating america into north and south

Answer 7

Because the other countries don't count North and south America. They still think the Earth is flat.

Answer 8

there are 7.

Answer 9

Eurasia should be one, and Australia a super size island.

Answer 10

there are 7
1. north america
2. south america
3. asia
4. africa
5. europe
6. australia
7. antarctica