Continents

[joderu95]

Apparently it is not agreed upon how many continents exist on Earth so let us go ahead and decide right here, right now.

 

[beer good]

Depends on if you're thinking of geography, geology or history, I suppose. If we say a continent is a landmass more or less surrounded by water, then I make it six today; Eurasia, Africa, North and South America, Antarctica and Australia.

 

[sparkchaser]

I'm going with beer good's answer and splitting Europe and Asia into two continents because I was taught seven in school.

 

[Isabell]

I was taught that we have 7, however, I always fought the good fight and argue that there is only 6. I do not consider Europe and Asia to be separate.
I always teach my kids to "Question Authority"

 

[sparkchaser]

I could live with six. Perhaps even five. No less than that though.

I just hope this never shows up as a Final Jeopardy question: What is Seven? (or six, or five).

 

[joderu95]

I would like to hear from some Muscovites to find out if they feel like they live in Europe, Asia, Eurasia or what.

To me continent is strictly a geographical term and water is not necessarily the determining factor (although it does generally show the boundaries of the continents). This is why I agree with those who say Russia exists in both Asia and Europe and is divided by the Ural Mountains.

I went with 7.

 

[Disenthral]

Sometimes they count the water masses to.

 

[Polly Parrot]

Why?

 

[sparkchaser]

There be more than seven seas. That I can tell ye. Arrgh.

 

[Polly Parrot]

I know that but isn't a continent supposed to be land rather than water?

 

[joderu95]

I know that but isn't a continent supposed to be land rather than water?

That is the paradigm I've been operating under.

 

[Libra]

I say seven.

 

[Litany]

Sometimes they count the water masses to.

That would be incontinent.

 

[silverseason]

Why is Australia a continent and not a large island?

 

[beer good]

Why is Australia a continent and not a large island?

Same reason North America is?

 

[joderu95]

Why is Australia a continent and not a large island?

...or why is Greenland not a continent? And if you could drain the oceans it's all just so much Earth crust anyway. It seems a little arbitrary doesn't it?

 

[beer good]

Or a better question, why is India not a continent? At least they've got their own tectonic plate, unlike Europe...

 

[joderu95]

Or a better question, why is India not a continent? At least they've got their own tectonic plate, unlike Europe...

I hadn't considered that. I'm tempted to say 8 continents now.