Continent Fun Facts:
The Earth is composed of 7 continents that make up its land mass. Some are completely surrounded by water like a giant island, while others are connect to each other and separated only by an imaginary line. Some continents have a lot of countries, while others have only a few. Can you find the 7 continents on the map below?
Africa:
1. Africa is the second largest continent.
2. It is the home of the Nile ,the longest river in the world – check out our post “Earth Fun Facts – Part 2” for more information about the amazing Nile River.
3. The largest desert in the world is also in Africa, the Sahara. Here is a fun fact about the Sahara desert, the Tree of Tenere was the only tree around for 250 miles until in 1973 a truck driver crashed into it and uprooted it. Talk about bad luck!
4. The equator passes through the middle of Africa so it receives direct sunlight throughout the year. The World’s hottest place, Ethiopia, is a country in Africa.
5. Ninety five percent of the worlds’s diamonds and more than 50% of the world’s gold comes from Africa.
6. Scientist believe Africa to be the place where the 1st humans lived.
7. Here is some sweet information – 66% of world’s chocolate comes from Africa!
Antarctica:
1. Up until 1840, the Antarctic was called Terra Australis Incognita (meaning the unknown southern land).
2. Antarctica is approximately 14.2 million square kilometers in summer. During the winter months it nearly doubles in size due to the large amount of sea ice that forms along its periphery.
3. Antarctica is the driest, windiest, emptiest, coldest place on earth.
4. Antarctica contains nearly 75% of the ice on earth. It is estimated that ice is as much as 4 km thick! Antarctica also contains about 70% of the world’s fresh water.
5. The coldest natural temperature ever recorded on earth was in Antarctica. It was as low as –89.2°C (–129°F), brrrrrrrr!
Asia:
1. Asia is the largest continent, it covers one-third of earth’s surface.
2. Asia is not only the biggest continent by land mass, it also has the highest population. Half of the world population lives here. The earth’s two most populous countries, China & India, are a part of this continent.
3. It is the birth place of many religions – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, to name a few.
4. The worlds biggest cave can be found in Asia.
5. The Great Wall of China can also be found in Asia, it is over 5500 miles long!
Australia:
1. Australia is the largest island (an island is a land mass that is surrounded by water on all sides). It is known as “Island Continent”.
2. Australia is also the smallest continent in the world, covering only 3 million square miles. That’s tiny compared to Asia’s 17.2 million square miles
3. Australia has only one country, which is Australia itself! It lies entirely south of the equator and is called “The Land Down Under.”
4. The name Australia comes from the Latin word Australis which means Southern. Today the full official name of Australia is Commonwealth of Australia.
Europe:
1. It is believed that Europe is named originally after ‘Europa’ who was a Phoenician Princess from Greek Mythology. There is also a moon that circles Jupiter called Europa, some scientist believe it may host life as it is covered in ice composed of water!
2. Europe is the only continent that does not have any deserts.
3. Both World Wars were largely focused in Europe.
4. Golf was first played in Scotland and the first game of cricket was played in Britain, both of these are countries in Europe. The piano and guitar were also invented in Europe.
5. The Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, is in Europe. This is the place the Pope calls home.
6. Most of the countries of Europe use a single currency called the Euro.
7. Germany is the most populous country in Europe, while London and Paris are the most populous cities.
8. One unusual festival in Europe is the Tomatina Festival, it is celebrated in Spain to honor the tomato – participants of the festival have a HUGE food fight and throw millions of tomatoes at each other. Sounds like fun!
North America:
1. North America was named after the explorer Americo Vespucci.
2. North America is the only continent that has every kind of climate – Tropical, Dry, Continental, Moderate, and Polar
3. There are a total of five time zones in North America
4. North America is around twice the size of Europe.
5. Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes, is the largest fresh water lake in the world. It is located on the border between the United States and Canada.
6. North America has the highest average income per person as compared to any other continent and average food intake per person is also greater than that of any other continents..
7. North America is the third-largest continent in area (9.54 million square miles), following Asia and Africa, and the fourth in population after Asia, Africa, and Europe.
South America:
1. The Andes Mountains in South America form the Second Highest Mountain System on earth next to the Himalayas. Mt. Aconcagua is the Highest Peak (7,021 m) of The Andes Mountain system.
2. The highest waterfall can be found in South America, Angel Falls.
3. South America is home to the largest river by water volume, the Amazon River. The name Amazon comes from Native American name for the river Amazunu meaning “Big Wave.”
4. South America is also the home of anaconda, one of earth’s largest snakes.
5. Both of the world’s highest volcanoes are found in South America – Mt. Chimborazo and Mt.Cotopaxi.
6. Also the world’s highest lake, Lake Titicaca, is located in South America. It can be found at a height of over 3800 meters. Lake Titicaca is also the largest lake in South America.
7. Brazil, a country in South America, is the largest producer of coffee in the world.
That’s it for our Continent Fun Facts, check back soon for more great content for kids at RecessAnytime.com!
