THE SEVEN CONTINENTS

Compiled by Chilman Sahni

The Americas are named after Amerigo Vespucci (1451-1512), explorer with Christopher Columbus. Africa was perhaps originally a Berber tribal name. It was adopted by the Romans as the name of their province, and later spread to the whole continent. Europe is of uncertain origin; it may simply mean mainland. Asia is probably from Assyrian, asu, sunrise, or east, the name given to the Eastern province of the Roman Empire. Australis is Latin for southern; Australia, with New Zealand and other islands, is also considered as part of Oceania, a name invented by the geographer Conrad Malte-Brun (1775-1826). Antarctica is Greek word for bear, as the region lies under the stars of Great Bear constellation.

LAND AREAS OF THE CONTINENTS AND THEIR %OF WORLD TOTAL

         CONTINENT                            LAND AREA (sq km)                             % OF WORLD TOTAL

1. Europe                             10,498,000sq km                                         7.1
2. North America                 24,349,000sq km                                        16.4
3. South America                 7,611,000sq km                                          11.8
4. Antarctica                        13,340,000sq km                                          9.0
5. Africa                                 30,335,000sq km                                        20.4
6. Asia                                    43,608,000sq km                                        27.3
7. Australia                            8,923,000sq km                                            6.0

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