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The answer depends on who you talk to.
A geographer - someone who studies Earth's surface, climate, countries, peoples, and so on - might say that continents are big and islands are small. For example, Greenland, the largest island, is only about a third as big as Australia.
On the other hand, a geologist - someone who studies the physics of Earth as a planet - might say that density accounts for the difference between continents and islands. 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 to poke above sea level. Greenland is ancient continental crust, but it isn't big enough to fit the geographer's definition of a continent. So geologists compromise by calling it a microcontinent.
Answer curtesy
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
An island is a landmass surrounded by water, smaller than a continent. A continent is a large landmass that consists of multiple countries and regions. Continents are much larger than islands and are typically part of a larger tectonic plate.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoa continent is a independent nation an island is just a chunk of land that is surrounded by water
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What is the differnce between a continent and a island?
A continent is a large, continuous landmass, such as Asia or Africa, that is surrounded by oceans. An island, on the other hand, is a piece of land that is smaller than a continent and is completely surrounded by water. Islands can be located in oceans, seas, or lakes.
What continent is Dominica Island on?
Dominica Island is located in the continent of North America. It is a Caribbean island nation situated between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Is alstralia a continent or an island?
Australia is both a continent and an island. As a continent, it is the smallest continent and is also considered an island continent because it is surrounded by water.
What continent is a large island?
Australia is the continent that is also a large island. It is the smallest continent and the world's largest island.
Is Australila a continent or an island?
Australia is both a continent and an island. As a continent, it is the smallest of the seven continents. As an island, it is the largest island in the world.
What is the difference between a 'continent' and 'island'?
A continent is much larger than an island.
What is the differnce between a continent and a island?
A continent is a large, continuous landmass, such as Asia or Africa, that is surrounded by oceans. An island, on the other hand, is a piece of land that is smaller than a continent and is completely surrounded by water. Islands can be located in oceans, seas, or lakes.
What are difference between Vietnam and Australia?
Vietnam is part of the Eurasian Continent; Australia is a separate continent (or a very large island).
What is the diference between a continent and an island?
A continent is a large landmass that is part of Earth's crust and is surrounded by water on all sides. An island, on the other hand, is a landmass that is smaller than a continent and is completely surrounded by water. Continents are typically made up of multiple countries and have diverse ecosystems, while islands can vary in size and may be uninhabited or support only a small population.
How much is the time difference between Spain and Island?
The European nations of Spain and Ireland are both located along the Atlantic coast of the continent. The time difference between the two countries is 1 hour.
What is a difference between a continent and a country?
a continent is made up of countries
What is a difference between a Country and a Continent?
A country is a specific area of land with its own government and borders, while a continent is a large, continuous expanse of land made up of multiple countries. Continents are much larger than countries and typically consist of multiple countries within them.
What is the difference between a continent a region and a hemisphere?
a region is a area a continent is a land mass
Is Australia a continent or is it an island?
continent not an island
What is the difference between subduction zone and a continent continent collision zone?
it is the study of making sanwhichs
What is the difference between a subduction zone and a continent continent collision zone?
it is the study of making sanwhichs
Is there a difference between an isthmus and a Tombolo?
Yes, there is a difference between an isthmus and a tombolo. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses, while a tombolo is a deposition landform that connects an island to the mainland by a sandy bridge. In essence, an isthmus links two separate landmasses, whereas a tombolo connects an island to a mainland.
