Know the Continents: A Stimulating Challenge for Fervid Travelers
Sucheta Pradhan
Continents are large, continuous masses of land, separated from one another by water bodies. If you’re interested in world travel, you ought to know a great deal about these continents. Take up the challenge with this quiz!
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The Expanse
By land area. Australia is the world’s smallest continent spanning only about 7,617,930 sq. km (2,941,300 sq. mi). The second smallest is Europe.
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The Populace
Asia is the largest continent by population with over 60% of world’s population residing there. Antarctica is the smallest in this respect with no permanent residents.
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Guess the Place!
If you’re in Lichinga, you’re in the Niassa Province of Mozambique, Africa. In 1931, Portuguese colonists founded the city as a military and farming settlement.
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Rising High
Out of the world’s 200 tallest mountains, 188 are located in Asia. Not to mention, even Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, lies in Asia.
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(Almost) No Rainfall
With the average precipitation level of only 6.5 inches per year, Antarctica is the driest continent on Earth. Difficult to believe considering its glacial terrain!
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Too Crowded!
Located on the French Riviera in Western Europe, the sovereign city-state of Monaco is the world’s most densely populated country with 26,337 people/sq. km (68,212/sq. mile).
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Thoughts Differ!
According to one school of thought, Oceania is one of the seven continents. The region spans across Eastern and Western Hemispheres and includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
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Locked by Land
Kazakhstan in Central Asia is the world’s largest landlocked country. It is also one of the least densely populated countries with the average density of less than six people/sq. km (15/per sq. mi).
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Continental (or not?)
Although geologically, Greenland is part of North America, politically and culturally, it is Denmark’s territory, making it European. Due to this dispute, it is considered as non-continental.
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The (Bio)diversity
South America is known for lush and biodiverse rainforests. In fact, the world’s largest Amazon Rainforest extends across Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Bolivia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela, all in South America.
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The Pole’s Apart
The North Pole does not lie on any continent. A continent is essentially a mass of solid land and the North Pole lies in the middle of the Arctic Ocean; therefore, it is not part of any continent.
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Identity Crisis
A transcontinental country spans across two or more continents. It either has an immediately adjacent territory across the continental border or overseas territories on some other continent.
You’ve answered all the questions. Now, let’s take a look at your overall score!