Social Studies · World Geography

Continents, Oceans & Major Landforms

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
Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean Arctic Ocean N. America S. America Europe Africa Asia Australia Antarctica
🌍Continents — biggest → smallest
  1. Asia — the largest
  2. Africa
  3. North America
  4. South America
  5. Antarctica
  6. Europe
  7. Australia — the smallest
🌊Oceans — cover ~71% of Earth
  1. Pacific — the largest
  2. Atlantic
  3. Indian
  4. Southern
  5. Arctic — the smallest
29% land 71% water
🌐 Why Earth looks blue from space
About 71% of Earth is covered by ocean 🌊
That leaves about 29% as dry land 🏞️
⛰️Major Landforms
Mountain ⛰️ Plateau Plain Delta Peninsula Isthmus Island Archipelago
🏝️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
🌍Continent One of Earth's seven large landmasses.
🌊Ocean One of Earth's five large bodies of saltwater.
🪝Peninsula Land surrounded by water on three sides.
🏝️Archipelago A chain or cluster of islands.
🗻Plateau A flat, elevated area of land.
🌊Isthmus A 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
From ClickClass — hundreds of free printables at clickclassedu.com/printables