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How big does an island have to be to be considered a continent For example Greenland is considered an island and Australia is a continent?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Many people have responses for what an "island" is, but don't often describe what a "continent" is. One definition from http://www.worldislandinfo.com/CONTISLAND.html:
- (a.) One of the grand divisions of land on the globe; the main land; specifically (Phys. Geog.), a large body of land differing from an island, not merely in its size, but in its structure, which is that of a large basin bordered by mountain chains; as, the continent of North America.
By that definition, it is not an island's size that makes it also a continent, but what separates it from its surroundings. It is also what helps Europe be considered a continent, even though there is no way it could ever be considered an island itself).
To answer the specific question regarding Australia and Greenland, see http://www.worldislandinfo.com/CONTISLAND.html:
- Why should Australia be considered a continent and Greenland an island? The answer is not clear-cut, but there are rational reasons behind it.
It is surrounded by water, so yes - but it is so big it is a continent. Being a continent is deemed to mean that it is no longer 'considered' an island.
Australia is not the only part of the Continent. Borneo and a whole slew of other islands are also part of the "Australian Continent"Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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Is the concept of continent questionable?
The concept of continent is generally accepted in the field of geography and earth sciences, based on characteristics such as landmass size, geological structure, and cultural boundaries. However, there can be some debate around specific definitions or the categorization of certain regions as separate continents (e.g., Europe and Asia as one landmass).
What is a nonexample of a continent?
Greenland is a nonexample of a continent. Despite being the world's largest island, it is not considered a continent.
Give an example of an island?
Greenland Iceland Madagascar Australia
Why is Australia both a continent and a country?
Australia is the only continent that is also just one country. All large countries have capitals and, therefore, Australia has one. Other continents, having more than one country, have capitals in each country.
Find an example of an area of land that is smaller that a continent and is completely surrounded by water?
Um... Greenland?
What is the difference between and island and continent?
Geographically speaking, continents are bigger than islands.Geologically speaking, they are different in their rock density. Continents are made up of low-density rock, so they float high on Earth's molten mantle like big rafts. Ocean crust is denser, so it floats low on the mantle. Most islands are really extensions of the ocean floor - undersea volcanoes pump out dense lava that cools into ocean floor crust and sometimes piles up above sea level.An example often quoted is that of Australia (a continent) and Greenland (an island). Geographically, Australia is a continent, not an island. As a landform, it could be considered an island as it is entirely surrounded by water and not joined onto any other land mass. For this reason, it is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is too big to be formallyclassified as an island. The world's largest island is actually Greenland.Another reason why Australia is also considered a continent is because it sits on its own tectonic plate. This is different from Greenland, which uses the same land mass as North America. That is why the geological appearances are much different in Australia than anywhere else. A place like Greenland shares the same geologic attributes as North America.
What is the difference between an island and continent?
Geographically speaking, continents are bigger than islands.Geologically speaking, they are different in their rock density. Continents are made up of low-density rock, so they float high on Earth's molten mantle like big rafts. Ocean crust is denser, so it floats low on the mantle. Most islands are really extensions of the ocean floor - undersea volcanoes pump out dense lava that cools into ocean floor crust and sometimes piles up above sea level.An example often quoted is that of Australia (a continent) and Greenland (an island). Geographically, Australia is a continent, not an island. As a landform, it could be considered an island as it is entirely surrounded by water and not joined onto any other land mass. For this reason, it is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is too big to be formallyclassified as an island. The world's largest island is actually Greenland.Another reason why Australia is also considered a continent is because it sits on its own tectonic plate. This is different from Greenland, which uses the same land mass as North America. That is why the geological appearances are much different in Australia than anywhere else. A place like Greenland shares the same geologic attributes as North America.
Can you give me an example of a continent?
There are seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.
Since New Guinea is part of the Australian Continent are they considered Australian too?
No. Just because someone is from the same continent it doesn't mean that they are the same nationality. Example England and France are in Europe but the people are either English or French. New Guinea is not part of the continent of Australia.
An example of land that is smaller than a continent and is surrounded by water?
An example of land smaller than a continent and surrounded by water is an island, like Hawaii or Singapore. Islands are bodies of land that are completely surrounded by water, whether it be an ocean, sea, or lake. These can vary in size, from tiny atolls to larger land masses.
Why can't Australia's exotic flora and fauna be found anywhere else in the world?
Australia is isolated and is considered by many to be a very large island although it is called a continent. The plants and animals there have adapted to it. It is what you see as an example of evolution.
How many countries are located on each individual continent?
it depends. For example Australia is a country but it's also a continent. This means that the continent of Australia has really only one country. On the contrary, Africa has approximately 52 countries.
