Asia -
- It is the largest continent .It covers one-third of earth’s surface.
- Also it is the biggest in terms of population in the world. Half of the world population lives here. World’s two most populous countries, China & India are in this continent.
- It has 30% of world land area & 60% of population
- It is the birth place of great religions – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity
- It is also the place of great ancient civilizations- Chinese, Harrapan
- According to one estimate 9 of 11 Global Growth Generators countries came from Asia driven by population and income growth
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Africa Continent
- It is the second largest continent.
- It is also called Dark Continent as for long time not much was known about this continent due to its difficult inhabitable terrain.
- It is the home of the Nile ,the longest river in the world.
- It is also the home of the Sahara, the largest desert in the world.
- The equator passes through the middle of Africa continent ,so it receives direct sunlight throughout the year. So it has hot climate throughout the year. World’s hottest place Ethiopia is also in Africa continent.
- Africa is very rich in minerals.Ninety five percent of the worlds’s diamonds and more than 50% of the world’s gold comes from Africa.
- Africa is said to be the place where 1st humans lived.
- 66% of world's chocolate comes from Africa.
- Africa is considered to be the place where the first human lived and learned to use tools.
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Australia
- Australia is the largest island (island is a place which is surrounded by water from all sides).It is also the smallest continent in the world. It is also known as “island continent”.
- Australia continent has only one country ,which is Australia itself.It lies entirely south of the equator and is called land down under.
- The name Australia comes from the Latin word australis which means Southern, it seems it was named as Southern place because it lies entirely south of equator. Today the full official name of Australia is Commonwealth of Australia.
- Two thirds of Australia is flat desert.
- Australia is home of three unique animals: platypus ,mammal that lays eggs, the kangaroo,which carries its young in a pouch,the emu ,a large bird that does not fly.
- Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef,it is made up of coral deposits & is about 2000 kilo meters long
- Australia is also known for its various type of Eucalyptus trees.There are over 500 varieties.
- Australia ‘s sheep population is more than its human population. Its sheep population is 14 times more than its human population.This is why Australia stands first in the production & export of wool in the world.
Antarctica - Interesting Facts
- Antarctica is a frozen land area around the South Pole.It is also called “Frozen Continent” . Antarctica is the highest, driest, windiest, emptiest, coldest place on earth.
- Antarctica contains 75% of the ice in the world.It is estimated that ice is 4 km thick. It looks all white, that is why it is also known as “White Contnent”. Antarctica also contains about 70% of the world’s fresh water
- Antarctica is the windiest continent on earth.
- The water of the Antarctica is so cold that nothing can rot here.
- The coldest natural temperature ever recorded in the world was in Antarctica. It was as low as –89.2°C (–129°F) .
- Winters in Antarctica last from May through August.The average winter temperature is -70 degree C in the interior and -30 degree C at the coast.December to February are the summer months here, the average temperature is -35 degree C in the interior and 2 degree C at the coasts.
- Antarctica has no cities, villages or farms.The only permanent settlements are research bases, where scientist from different countries come and reside & do different types of research.
- Most of the continent is dry .Few interior parts receive an average of 5 cm of rain on annual basis.In a way,the Antarctica is a cold desert.
- You would be surprised to know that in Antarctica ,time stands still - there are no time zones!
- Another interesting fact about this continent is that there are miles & miles of lakes under its ice.These lakes have been untouched for millions of years and carry many secrets about our planet formation, scientists are trying to uncover few of these secrets.
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Europe -
- It is believed that Europe is named originally after ‘Europa’ who was a Phoenician Princess from Greek Mythology..
- In Europe , there are no deserts.It is the only continent without any deserts.
- Both world wars were largely focused in Europe.
- Golf started in Scotland and Cricket was first played in Britain,both of these are countries in Europe.Similarly piano and guitar are European inventions.
- The Vatican city, the world’s smallest country is in Europe .
- Most of the countries of Europe use a single currency called the Euro.
- Germany is the most populous country in Europe whereas London and Paris are most populous cities in this continent.
- Industrial revolution is said to have originated in Europe only & from here it spread to whole world.
- One of the unusual festival of Europe is the Tomatina Festival ,it is celebrated in Spain. In this ,every participant is involved in throwing tomatoes at each other.
North America -
- North America was named after the explorer Americo Vespucci.
- North America is the only continent that has every kind of climate
- North America has five time zones.
- The population density is approximately 22.9 per square kilometer, which is the largest for any continent in the world.
- North America is around twice the size of Europe.
- Lake Superior in North America is the largest fresh water lake in the world. It is located on the border between the United States and Canada.
- It is also known as “New World”
- North America is the third-largest continent in area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth in population after Asia, Africa, and Europe.
- The Mississippi ,the third longest river in the world is in North America.Its length is 3778 km.In the Native American language Mississippi means 'Great River'
- Moose is the tallest animal of North America whereas Elk is the 2nd tallest animal in this continent
- The Elf, the world's smallest owl in the world in also found in North America
- North America is the world's largest producer of maize,wheat & soybean.More than half of world's maize is produced here whereas it is the largest exporter of wheat.
- Cuba,a country in North America, is known as the 'sugar bowl of the world',it is the world's largest exporter of sugar
- North America produces about 25% of the world's total mild & dairy products.
- Home of Google, Face Book, Apple & many other world famous technology companies.
- USA ,world’s largest economy & most powerful nation is also in North America.
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South America -
- Andes in South America, form the Second Highest Mountain System in the World next to the Himalayas(in Asia). They are Young Fold Mountains. Mt. Aconcagua is the Highest Peak (7,021 m) of The Andes.
- The Angel Falls of South America ,is the Highest Waterfall in the World.
- It also has the world’s largest river –Amazon (by volume of water).The name Amazon comes from Native American name for the river 'Amazunu' meaning 'big wave'.In length ,it is the second longest river in the world (6440 km)
- South America is also the home of anaconda,one of the world's largest snakes.
- Mt. Chimborazo and Mt.Cotopaxi,the world's highest volcanoes are found in South America.
- Also the world's highest lake ,Lake Titicaca is located in South America.It is at the height of 3800 meters.It is the largest lake in South America
- Major languages spoken in South America are Spanish and Portuguese.
- It also has the largest salt lake of the world: Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni salt flats).
- Brazil, a country in South America, is the largest producer of coffee in the world.
- Soccer is the dominant game in this continent.
