Which are the continents?

[CotoChris]

Simple question but lead to huge discussion lat night at my Hungarian class. For me there are 7 continents:

Europe
Asia
Oceania / Australia
Antartica
Africa
North America
South America

Most of the class were adminant that that North & South America are just one continent, by that principle Europe and Asia should be one. They said it was five as there are only 5 Olympic rings...

What have you been taught and which are the continents for you?

[big_si]

I was always taught that there were 7...

The olympic rings thing is a good point though. Obviously Antarctica isn't represented as there are only 9 people in a weather station and a load of penguins

[Lou]

I agree with you.... but it looks like the answer isn't that simple

Originally Posted by geography.about.com

How many continents are on the earth?
A continent is one of several major land masses on the earth. There is no standard definition for the number of continents but you'll commonly find that the numbers six or seven are used. By most standards, there are a maximum of seven continents - Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Most students in the U.S. are taught that there are seven continents.
In Europe, many students are taught about six continents, where North and South America is combined to form a single America. Thus, these six continents are Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Many geographers and scientists now refer to six continents, where Europe and Asia are combined (since they're one solid landmass). Thus, these six continents are Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America.

The National Geographic Society recognizes seven continents.

[Ding Dang Doo]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

Simple question but lead to huge discussion lat night at my Hungarian class. For me there are 7 continents:

Europe
Asia
Oceania / Australia
Antartica
Africa
North America
South America

Most of the class were adminant that that North & South America are just one continent, by that principle Europe and Asia should be one. They said it was five as there are only 5 Olympic rings...

What have you been taught and which are the continents for you?

7... funnily enough, the same as yours!

As for the Olymipic rings...

What do the Olympic rings signify?

According to most accounts, the rings were adopted by Baron Pierre de Coubertin (founder of the modern Olympic Movement) in 1913 after he saw a similar design on an artifact from ancient Greece. The five rings represent the five major regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Every national flag in the world includes at least one of the five colors, which are (from left to right) blue, yellow, black, green, and red. It is important to emphasize that Pierre de Coubertin never said nor wrote that the colors of the rings were linked with the different continents

The Olympic Flag made its debut at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. At the end of each Olympic Games, the mayor of that host-city presents the flag to the mayor of the next host-city. It then rests at the town hall of the next host-city for four years until the Opening Ceremony of their Olympic Games.


HTH

Pete

[witchieblackcat]

I was always taught that there were 5 continents: Europe (Green), Asia (Yellow), Africa (Black), North America (Red) and South America (Don't know why but it is blue).

I now know that Antarctica is a continent but as Big Si says, there are no people. Australia was always counted as an island in my youth.

[big_si]

Wikipedia gives reference to different models with between 3 and 7 continents?!?!?

Continent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Finless]

How many continents are on the earth?

The answer to the geography question - how many continents are on the earth?
geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzcontinents.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages

How Many Continents Are There?

How Many Continents Are There? ... In Europe, many students are taught about six continents - North and South America are combined to form a single America. ...
journals.aol.com/bowermanb/GWBlog/entries/2005/02/25/how-many-continents-are-there/262 - 27k - Cached - Similar pages
How many continents do you think there are?

Cultural Anecdotes, Similarities and Differences. - All topics related to cultural interaction.
www.englishforums.com/English/Continents/cdxmd/Post.htm - 60k - Cached - Similar pages
How many continents are there? 5? 6? 7? - BuildtoLearn

The question seems obvious, but is actually greatly disputed. I grew up in the US, where the answer is seven: N. America, S. America, Europe, Asia, Africa,
www.buildtolearn.com/current-affairs-politics/11899-how-many-continents-there-5-6-7-a.html - 68k - Cached - Similar pages

[yazzyfooty]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

Simple question but lead to huge discussion lat night at my Hungarian class. For me there are 7 continents:

Europe
Asia
Oceania / Australia
Antartica
Africa
North America
South America

Most of the class were adminant that that North & South America are just one continent, by that principle Europe and Asia should be one. They said it was five as there are only 5 Olympic rings...

What have you been taught and which are the continents for you?

Europe
Asia
Africa
India
Americas
Australia

[oystercatcher]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

Europe and Asia should be one.......

...............how did you work that one out then!

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by yazzyfooty

Europe
Asia
Africa
India
Americas
Australia

india is sub continent, i remember that from geography in secondary school.