Why are Europe and Asia considered different continents?

Speaking of continental drift, a long time ago, Antarctica, Australia, Africa, North and South America and Europe together with India all were part of a single continent which geologists have called Gondwanaland. Over a period of several hundred million years, this "Super continent" broke up and drifted apart to make up our present continents. The present Asian continent is made up of several smaller continental masses that came together again over a period of several million years to form the present Asian land mass. India was originally joined to Africa, but broke away and drifted northwards until it met the Asian continental mass. The Himalayan mountains are the result of this collision. India is still moving northwards and the Himalayans are still being pushed up higher. This is not theory, scientists have been able to directly measure both the rate at which India is moving northwards and the rate at which the Himalayas are being driven higher.

Hello jw... I read your response with keen interest. I am glad to know some more knowledge about it from your response. Thank you so much for it.

Thanks william. Yes, Antartica is a mystery. Some people told me its made of ice and therefore its not a continent but a giant floating ice block. I think they were joking. Happy mylotting.

Eurafrasia? That is strange. No matter where you look, you'll find that there are 7 continents. So in reality, this is just for the sake of naming that it was decided; similar to the conventional direction of current? Honestly, Eurasia makes a lot of sense. It was real confusing to know that they are separate and Antarctica doesn't exist as well. Thanks for replying. It was helpful. Happy mylotting.

I've heard anywhere from 5 to 7 continents, depending on who you ask. Africa - America - Antarctica - Eurasia - Oceania or Africa - America - Antarctica - Asia - Europe - Oceania or Africa - Antarctica - Eurasia - Oceania - North America - South America or Africa - Antarctica - Asia - Europe - North America - South America - Oceania And yes, some purists do believe a continent to be a single landmass so they would refer to the continents as Eurafrasia, America, Antarctica and Oceania.

Oceania? Is that the same as Australia?

Thanks a lot! I see. I had a feeling it had something to do with the time when the exact geological features were unknown. I've heard of theories stating that the continents had rifted apart due to tectonic movements millions of years ago. Its not strange to think Europe and Asia were separate at the time either.

Actually Antarctica has NO permanent population. There are around 1000 to 4000 researchers and scientists who live there, though. A good friend of mine is there right now working for the South African weather service.

Thanks for the information share. I heard people do live in Antarctica. However, even if there is no country or people in Antarctica, that should be of little concern in terms of continent. I feel Since Antarctica is a mass of land (or ice), it should be considered a continent. Happy mylotting.

Thanks lol. Our teachers have a lot in similar then. Our Chem prof used to say that everything in the text was junk, but learn it for the exams sake lol. True, many people refer to the two continents as one: Eurasia. Happy mylotting.