what is the difference between an "island" and a "continent?"?

Question

what makes Australia a continent and not an island?

Answer 1

some people might say the size. but thats not the case. a continent is 'all land connected to the same tectonic plate' and an island is jsut a landmass surrounded by water.

if you look at it like that. australia is both, and afrika is only a continent (because its connected to asia minor (the middle east).

these are the continents of earth:
afrika, europe, north america, south america, Asia, Asia minor, Australia, Antartica and Pacifica (forgive me if i forgot one)

Answer 2

An island is a land mass surrounded by water on all sides.

As for continents:

" 'Continents are understood to be large, continuous, discrete masses of land, ideally separated by expanses of water.'[1] However many of the seven most commonly recognized continents are identified by convention rather than adherence to the ideal criterion that each be a discrete landmass, separated by water from others. Likewise the criterion that each be a continuous landmass is often disregarded by the inclusion of the continental shelf and oceanic islands."

It has long been my argument Australia isn't the largest island. The land mass which contains most of Europe, Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Africa is really the largest island on Earth, since it is surrounded by water on all sides. The second largest would be the island containing North and South America. Antarctica would be third. To date, no one has corrected the oversight. I guess most people don't think as big as I do.

Answer 3

An island is any area surrounded by water from all directions. Like Mauritius, Australia. Some places are surrounded by water in only 3 directions. For example India is surrounded by water from West to Souh to East. It is called a Peninsula.

A continent is any large continous land masses. For example Asia, Australia!

Answer 4

A continent is one of several large areas of land on Earth, which are identified by convention rather than any strict criteria. The specific areas of land vary, but seven areas are commonly reckoned as continents - they are, in order of size, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.

An island or isle is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls are called islets. A key or cay is another name for a relatively small island or islet. An island in a river or lake is called an eyot

Answer 5

A continent is actually a very large island. An island is considered as a continent when its size exceeds 5,000,000 km sq. Australia is 7,600,000 km sq, therefore, it is classified as a continent.

Answer 6

The size of the land mass? What other island is as big as Australia?

Answer 7

size

Answer 8

Is as large as your .a.s.s.!!!