Continents

A continent is a very large area of land. There are seven continents on Earth. They are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Each continent has its own special landscapes, animals, and people.

The Seven Continents

Asia is the biggest continent. Australia is the smallest. Africa has the most countries. Antarctica has no countries at all. Europe and Asia are connected and sometimes called Eurasia. North and South America are joined by a thin strip of land in Central America.

Moving Continents

The continents are always moving very slowly. Millions of years ago, all the land was joined together in one giant piece called Pangaea. Over time, it broke apart and the pieces drifted to where they are today. This movement is called continental drift.

Fun Facts

• Asia is home to more than 4 billion people, more than half the world's population.
• Australia is the only continent that is also a single country.
• Africa is so large that the United States, China, and India could all fit inside it.

Did You Know?

The continents move about 1 to 2 inches each year, which is about as fast as your fingernails grow!