"continents are understood to be large, continuous, discrete masses of land, ideally separated by expanses of water."
Geologically the continents largely correspond to areas of continental crust that are found on the continental plates.However, some areas of continental crust are regions covered with water not usually included in the list of continents. The area referred to as Zealandia is one such area.
Names of the Continents are given as(Ordered from largest in size to smallest):
1-Asia,
2-Africa,
3-North America,
4-South America,
5-Antarctica,
6-Europe,
7-Australia.
Area And Population:
Area And Population:
Continent
|
Area (km²)]
|
Area (mi²)
|
Percent
total landmass |
Population
|
Percent
total pop. |
Most populous
city |
Africa
|
30,370,000
|
11,730,000
|
20.4%
|
1,186,178,000
|
16.1%
|
Lagos, Nigeria
|
Antarctica
|
13,720,000
|
5,300,000
|
9.2%
|
4,490
|
0.0%
|
McMurdo Station
|
Asia
|
43,820,000
|
16,920,000
|
29.5%
|
4,393,296,000
|
59.8%
|
Shanghai,
China
|
Europe
|
10,180,000
|
3,930,000
|
6.8%
|
738,442,000
|
10.0%
|
Moscow,
Russia
|
North America
|
24,490,000
|
9,460,000
|
16.5%
|
573,777,000
|
7.8%
|
Mexico City,
Mexico
|
Australia
|
9,008,500
|
3,478,200
|
5.9%
|
39,331,000
|
0.5%
|
Sydney,
Australia
|
South America
|
17,840,000
|
6,890,000
|
12.0%
|
418,447,000
|
5.7%
|
SãoPaulo,
Brazil
|
Highest and lowest points:
The following table lists the seven continents with their highest and lowest points on land, sorted in decreasing highest points.
Continent
|
Highest point
|
Elevation (m)
|
Country or territory containing highest point
|
Lowest point
|
Elevation (m)
|
Country or territory containing lowest point
|
Asia
|
Mount Everest
|
8,848
|
China and Nepal
|
Dead Sea
|
−427
|
Israel, Jordan and Palestine
|
South America
|
Aconcagua
|
6,960
|
Argentina
|
Laguna del Carbón
|
−105
|
Argentina
|
North America
|
Denali
|
6,198
|
United States
|
Death Valley
|
−86
|
United States
|
Africa
|
Mount Kilimanjaro
|
5,895
|
Tanzania
|
Lake Assal
|
−155
|
Djibouti
|
Europe
|
Mount Elbrus
|
5,642
|
Russia
|
Caspian Sea
|
−28
|
Russia
|
Antarctica
|
Vinson Massif
|
4,892
|
(none)
|
Deep Lake, Vestfold Hills
|
−50
|
(none)
|
Australia
|
Puncak Jaya
|
4,884
|
Indonesia (Papua)
|
Lake Eyre
|
−15
|
Australia
|
