Geography Continents and Oceans Continents The world is

Geography Continents and Oceans

Continents • The world is divided into 7 major continents

1) North America • 9. 5 million square miles – Ranked #3 out of 7 • 565 million people (7. 5%) – Ranked #4 out of 7 • 23 different countries

2) South America • 6. 9 million square miles – Ranked #4 out of 7 • 375 million people (5%) – Ranked #5 out of 7 • 12 different countries

3) Africa • 11. 7 million square miles – Ranked #2 out of 7 • 1. 1 billion people (15%) – Ranked #2 out of 7 • 54 different countries

4) Europe • 3. 9 million square miles – Ranked #6 out of 7 • 745 million people (11%) – Ranked #3 out of 7 • 50 different countries

5) Asia • 17. 2 million square miles – Ranked #1 out of 7 • 4. 3 billion people (60%) – Ranked #1 out of 7 • 49 different countries

6) Australia • 3. 3 million square miles – Ranked #7 out of 7 • 36 million people – Ranked #6 out of 7 (1%) • 4 countries

7) Antarctica • 5. 4 million square miles – Ranked #5 out of 7 – 98% is covered by ice • No permanent population – Ranked #7 out of 7 • No countries

Oceans • There are 4 major oceans in the world – Some sources might say there are 5 or 6 – In this class, we will only deal with the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans

8) Pacific Ocean • This is the largest ocean in the world • It covers 1/3 of the earth’s surface • The Pacific Ocean is bigger than the land area of all of the continents combined! The Pacific Ocean borders 4 continents!

9) Atlantic Ocean • The second largest ocean in the world • It covers 1/5 of the earth’s surface • The Atlantic Ocean is Sshaped and borders 4 continents.

10) Indian Ocean • The third largest ocean in the world. • It covers about 1/7 of the earth’s surface. • The Indian Ocean gets its name from the Indian subcontinent. It borders 3 continents.

11) Arctic Ocean • Located near the North Pole • This is the world’s smallest ocean • In the winter-time it is mostly covered by sea ice

12) Southern Ocean • Located around Antarctica and the South Pole • Sometimes, geographers say that the Southern Ocean isn’t an ocean by itself, but part of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian

Longitude • Lines that go north and south (up and down) on a map to specify an East or West point on the earth’s surface • 0 – 180 (East or West)

Prime Meridian • The Prime Meridian divides the earth into East and West

Prime Meridian • The degrees give you a measurement of how far to go from the Prime Meridian and in which direction (East or West)

Latitude • Lines that go east and west (left and right) on a map to and specifies an North or South point on the earth’s surface • 0 -90 (North or South)

Equator • The Equator divides the earth into North and South

Equator • The degrees give you a measurement of how far to go from the Equator and in which direction (North or South)

Absolute Location • Coordinates where LONGITUDE and LATITUDE intersect gives an exact location! • Example: 100 degrees East and 40 degrees North

Scale • Scale is what is used to measure distances on maps • Usually, one inch will represent a certain number of miles on the map • On larger maps, one inch will represent hundreds of miles

Cardinal Directions • 4 Cardinal Directions – – North South East West • 4 Intermediate Directions – – Northeast Northwest Southeast Southwest

• Lubbock, Texas to Charlotte, North Carolina – what direction are you travelling – how many miles (approximately)?

• You travel approximately 1, 000 miles 500 x 2= 1000 • You are traveling northeast