Is named continental regions to the large areas of territory that are surrounded by the oceans, that is, to the continents. The continental regions are: Asia, Oceania, Europe, America, Africa and Antarctica.
These six big blocks or continental regions add up to a total of 150 million square kilometers, which is equivalent to 29% of the earth’s surface. The remaining 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
The continental divide it is arbitrary (in some cultures or countries there is talk of the existence of five or seven continents), because it does not respond to the different tectonic plates of the continental regions, but to geopolitical divisions.
Although it occurs in continents such as Oceania or America, it is not a strict condition that continental regions are surrounded by oceans since, in some cases, two continents are connected by a small or medium portion of land.
Characteristics of continental regions
Europe
- It is the second smallest continent on the planet (after Oceania).
- It is located in the northern hemisphere.
- It is made up of 50 countries, such as France, Spain and England. Many of these countries come together in the European Union.
- It is characterized by its coastlines, its historic cities and its great mountain ranges.
- Together with Asia, it forms the continental mass called Eurasia.
Asia
- It is the largest continent on the planet.
- It is the most populous continent with 4.6 billion inhabitants.
- It is made up of 49 countries, such as Russia, China and India.
- It is characterized by its cultural diversity and biodiversity.
- Together with Europe, it forms the mass known as Eurasia.
Africa
- It is a continent located in the southern hemisphere.
- It is the third largest continent on the planet.
- It is made up of 54 countries, such as Morocco, Egypt and Cameroon.
- It is considered the cradle of civilization.
- It is characterized by its warm climate and great biodiversity.
America
- It is a continent located in the northern and southern hemisphere.
- It is surrounded by oceans.
- It is the second largest continent after Asia.
- It is subdivided into: North America, Central America and South America.
- It is made up of 35 countries, such as the United States, Mexico and Argentina.
Oceania
- It is a continent located in the southern hemisphere.
- It is surrounded by ocean waters, making it an island continent.
- It is divided into four main regions: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
- It is the smallest continent on the planet.
- It is made up of 15 countries, such as Australia, Samoa and New Zealand.
Antarctica
- It is a continent located in the southern hemisphere.
- It is surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean.
- It is the least populated continental region on the planet.
- It is the coldest region on Earth, as it is almost entirely covered in ice.
- Its territorial and political organization is governed by the Antarctic Treaty.
Limits of the continental regions
- Europe. It borders the Arctic Glacier Ocean to the north, Asia to the east, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and Africa (via the Strait of Gibraltar) to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
- Asia. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the Indian Ocean, to the southwest by the Red Sea and to the west by the African continent, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and Europe.
- Africa. It is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, to the northwest by Europe (through the Strait of Gibraltar), to the northeast by Asia (through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea). To the east it is bordered by the Indian Ocean and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
- America. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Antarctic Glacier Ocean, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
- Oceania. It is bordered to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the Antarctic Glacier Ocean, and to the west by the Indian Ocean.
- Antarctica. It is bordered by a single ocean that surrounds it; the Antarctic Glacial Ocean.