Earth’s land is divided into seven large landmasses called continents. Here they are, from largest to smallest by area.

1. Asia

The largest and most populous continent, home to more than half of the world’s people, including India and China. It has the highest point on Earth (Mount Everest) and the lowest point on land (the shores of the Dead Sea).

2. Africa

The second-largest continent, with more than 50 countries. It has the Sahara, the largest hot desert, and the Nile, one of the world’s longest rivers. Africa is considered the birthplace of humankind.

3. North America

Includes Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central American and Caribbean countries. It has Greenland, the world’s largest island, and the Grand Canyon.

4. South America

Home to the Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest, the Andes, the longest continental mountain range, and Angel Falls, the highest waterfall.

5. Antarctica

The coldest, windiest and driest continent, almost entirely covered in ice. It has no permanent population, only scientists at research stations, including India’s Maitri and Bharati.

6. Europe

Small in area but rich in history, with about 45 countries. It includes the world’s smallest country, Vatican City.

7. Australia (Oceania)

The smallest continent, sometimes grouped with Pacific islands as Oceania. It is famous for unique wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas, and the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system.

How did the continents form?

About 300 million years ago, all continents were joined in one supercontinent called Pangaea. Over millions of years, moving tectonic plates broke it apart. The continents are still drifting today by a few centimetres every year, about as fast as your fingernails grow.