what is the continental divide?

Answer 1

A contiental divide is the hightest point on a continent that divides it in such a way that water runs down hill in either direction. The Rockies have a continental divide that splits the water flow so it goes east and west.

Answer 2

The term "continental divide" is applied to the main water parting of any continent. However, I'm going to assume your question refers to the Continental Divide in North America.

The divide runs along the crest of the Rockies, from British Columbia, through the United States, and continues southward into Mexico and Central America. It divides the continent's principal drainage into that flowing eastward (to the Hudson Bay in Canada or to the Mississippi River) and that flowing westward (to the Pacific Ocean).

Answer 3

It is NOT necessarily the highest point. It is where the water flows in opposite directions. You can stand on the continental divide and dump a cup of water and eventually half that water will end up in the Atlantic Ocean and half in the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 4

It is where the rivers flow in opposite directions from the hightest point on a mountain range, within a continent. For example in the rocky mountains some rivers flow to the Mississippi river, others flow to the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 5

the Rocky Mountians

Answer 6

The backbone of the continent!

Answer 7

the whole of the surface used to be connected (Pangea) but major shifts in the crust of the earth caused it to split, look at south america and africa, their matching puzzle pieces to eachother

Answer 8

you should have the answer by now...another word that is similar in meaning is watershed

Answer 9

IT IS THE PLACE WHERE WHERE TWO OR MORE TECTONTIC PLATES COLLIDE. tHE MOST FAMOUS ONE INS UNDER THE OCEAN, WHERE THE NORTH AMERICAICAN CONTINETNT IS BEING PISHED UNDER ANOTHER ONE.