Why is Antarctica known as the continent?

Answer 1

Continents are usually defined by convention rather than by strict definition. Depending on where you learn geography, there are either six or seven continents on earth, always including Antarctica as one.

Generally, a continent is defined as being surrounded by water. Antarctica fits this. Greenland, however, is defined as an island, while Australia is defined as a continent. Both are surrounded by water.

Answer 2

Antarctica is known as the continent because it is the fifth-largest continent in terms of land area and is completely surrounded by the Southern Ocean. It is also the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth, covered in ice that makes up about 90% of the world's total ice.