Earth's surface is split into seven continents and five oceans — and the land's shape helps explain climate, trade, and where people live.
🗺️7 Continents & 5 Oceans
🌍Continents — biggest → smallest
Asia— the largest
Africa
North America
South America
Antarctica
Europe
Australia— the smallest
🌊Oceans — cover ~71% of Earth
Pacific— the largest
Atlantic
Indian
Southern
Arctic — the smallest
🌐 Why Earth looks blue from space
About 71% of Earth is covered by ocean 🌊
That leaves about 29% as dry land 🏞️
⛰️Major Landforms
🏝️Land Meets Water
🏝️Island — water on ALL sides
Land completely surrounded by water. A whole cluster of them is an archipelago.
🪝Peninsula — water on 3 sides
Land joined to a bigger landmass but surrounded by water on three sides.
🔑Key Terms
🌍ContinentOne of Earth's seven large landmasses.
🌊OceanOne of Earth's five large bodies of saltwater.
🪝PeninsulaLand surrounded by water on three sides.
🏝️ArchipelagoA chain or cluster of islands.
🗻PlateauA flat, elevated area of land.
🌊IsthmusA narrow strip of land connecting two larger lands.
⭐Remember: 7 continents + 5 oceans make up Earth's surface — and the shape of the land (mountains, plateaus, peninsulas, islands) shapes climate, trade, and where people live!
✏️ Social Studies Anchor Chart · Continents, Oceans, and Major Landforms