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Number of Continents
Name: Carlos
Status: Educator
Age: 30s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
In my country (Peru) same that all countries in
sudamerica we learn
that the number of continents is five (that's the reason for what
there are 5 rings in the olympic flag). But in Canada and USA the
people learn that there are 7. What is the correct number?
Replies:
Carlos,
This is a great question that has no correct
answer. The number of continents is based on
the size of the land area, it's distinction
from other land areas (by culture or by
isolation from other land areas, etc.), and
by the number of people who live there. In
the United States we designate several
continents, including North America, South
America (Peru may count those two as one),
Australia, Asia, Africa, Antarctica
(Peru may not include this as a continent
because of the lack of people), and Europe.
David Cook
Meteorologist at Argonne Nat. Lab.
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Update: June 2012
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