Continents of the World
How many continents are there in the world today?
Note: "Today" as in year 2017, and Europe & Asia are separate continents. North and South America also separate continents.
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2 solutions
Sounds like a Kiwi Conspiracy to boost tourism.
I also don't think that all geographers are on board with this designation yet; the paper you've linked to makes a good case, though, so I won't cry "alternative facts!". If I had been told that an 8th continent had been designated I would have guessed Atlantis. :p
P.S.. In some parts of the world they consider the two Americas as one continent towards a total of 5, so given the diverse membership of Brilliant you might hear a mention about that too.
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Well, Atlantis is under water too, isn't it? Anyway, I included in the note about the Two Americas.
Next, I'll ask how many planets there are in our solar system.
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Haha Yeah, that question would generate a discussion for sure, particularly now that some astronomers are making the case for Planet 9 . And count me among those who would prefer to have Pluto reinstated to its rightful designation.
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@Brian Charlesworth – Yes! See Planet 9 From Outer Space
NZexit, but they don't get a vote.
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NZexit? Ugh. The world needs less division, and more coming together. ;p
So before the designation of Zealandia was NZ considered part of the Australian continent? I would have guessed that the average Kiwi would be happy to be living on a different continent than the Aussies, given the friendly rivalry. Good fences, or in this case good rifts, make good neighbours. :)
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@Brian Charlesworth – It is/was known as Australasia, and includes New Guinea (and other smaller islands in the South Pacific Ocean).
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@Chung Kevin – Ah, o.k., I see how the shading on Michael's map works then. I also notice that both Zealandia and New Zealand straddle a plate boundary, (like California does along the San Andreas), explaining the tragic earthquakes they've had lately. :( Here on Vancouver Island we sit above a subduction zone, so we can expect a big shake ourselves sometime in the not-so-distant future.
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@Brian Charlesworth – As much I would love to take credit for "Michael's map", of course I had nothing to do with compiling such a map.
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@Michael Mendrin – Haha Well, it looked like something you could have whipped up. :)
By the way, I'm curious what your thoughts are on this problem , (in case you haven't seen it). The solution is up for debate, literally.
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@Brian Charlesworth – That one ("this problem") is particularly pernicious. Let me think on it, when I'm able to find time.
yeah sure , that's the case . we were taught that there are 5 continents . America counted only one time .
I entered 7. We were taught at school that there were six continents , Europe and Asia making one continent of Eurasia. People count them differently in different parts of the world.
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Okay, I'll fix that. I should have been aware that this could be a problem, not all schools list Europe and Asia separately. I was taught there was two continents "Europe" and "Asia", but could never see two continents, I could only see one. It's kind of like being shown 4 fingers and being told that the correct answer is that there are 5 fingers.
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Brilliant is American so I suppose it is still OK. I just meant it as info, not "report".
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@Maria Kozlowska – American? I thought it was Indian.
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@Michael Mendrin – Yes, looks like it is very popular there.
A comedy gold, didn't expect general knowledge trivia question on brilliant.org, but there's a first time for everything and Michael's questions do indeed elicit a smile on my face more often than not. First the reflected ones N. and S. America, N. and S. Pole and then the distinct ones: Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
There are now 8 recognized continents, as of 2017. Used to be 7. See Zealandia