In the continents map, one can find that the continental landmasses are concentrated more in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere in terms of area. The world continents map not only focus on the land area of the continents, these also provide some vital information on their features such as geographic, topographic, and demographic features, area, weather and many more.
Division of Continents As you go through a world continent map, you can find some interesting facts and statistics. In terms of area, Asia leads the list of continents, followed by Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia. Though the ideal criterion of a continent is to be a discrete landmass, however, in many cases they are disregarded in favor of some historical conventions. While going through the continent map of world, one can find that many continents are often defined as "more or less discrete masses of land". It is the Isthmus of Suez that joins the continents of Asia and Africa, whereas Isthmus of Panama joins North and South America. Comparing to the area of landmasses that these isthmuses join, both of those are quite narrow.
On the other hand, one won't find any sea that separates Asia and Europe. That is why an alternative view of 'Eurasia' comes out, which is considered by many as a single continent and hence giving birth to a six-continent view of the world. However, this view, mostly held by some geographers, is only popular in Russia, some East European countries and Japan.
The continents of North America and South America are currently considered as separate continents, though in earlier times, those were viewed as single continents and were known collectively as America.
However another theory relating to division of continents came as 'four-continent model'. In this model, continents are defined as discrete landmasses. According to the theory Asia, Europe and Africa form a single continent namely 'Afro-Eurasia' and hence, the total number of becomes 4 consisting of Afro-Eurasia, America, Antarctica and Australia.
Following given are various theories relating to continents. Here, it can be remembered that the 7-continent Model is the most popular and well-accepted across the world.
Continent Models
7 Continents North America South America Antarctica Africa Europe Asia Australia
6 Continents North America South America Antarctica Africa Eurasia Australia
6 Continents America Antarctica Africa Europe Asia Australia
5 Continents America Antarctica Africa Eurasia Australia
4 Continents America Antarctica Afro-Eurasia Australia
Following are the essential statistics that showcase the area, information and the density of people in different continents:
Continent Area (km²) Approx. population 2008 Density People (per km²)
Asia 43,820,000 3,879,000,000 86.70
Africa 30,370,000 922,011,000 29.30
North America 24,490,000 528,720,588 21.0
South America 17,840,000 382,000,000 20.8
Antarctica 13,720,000 1,000 0.00007
Europe 10,180,000 731,000,000 69.7
Australia 9,008,500 32,000,000 3.6
The Variations of Continents
Besides the traditionally known continents, one may also come across with some other divisions relating to continents like Super-continents and Subcontinents.
Super-continents
The term 'Super-continent' is used to describe the landmasses with more than one craton or continental core. The examples are Columbia, Gondwana, Kenorland, Laurasia, Pangaea, and Rodinia. Eurasia is a contemporary example of super-continent.
Subcontinents
Some parts of a continent may fall on different tectonic plates to the rest. These are known as subcontinents. Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula are some of the distinguished examples.
Submerged Continents
Submerged continents are some of the areas of continental crust, which are mostly covered by the sea. Notable example is the Zealandia, which comes out from the sea in New Caledonia and New Zealand.
Micro-continents
There are a number of islands located on the sections of continental crust, which have drifted apart from the main landmass. These are too small to call as continents. These are referred to as micro-continents. Madagascar is the largest example of micro-continent.
Asia The first thing that you would notice on a world continent map is the Asia. It is the largest and most populous continent in the world. Situated in the eastern and northern hemispheres, Asia has an overall area of 44,579,000 sq. km. (that constitute 8.6% of the total surface area of the earth) and a population of almost 4 billion people (60% of the human population of the world).
Asia is the continent of diversity. On one hand, it is the home to some of the richest and most developed economies in the world like Japan and Korea, but at the same time, it is also the home to some of the poorest countries in the world. The continent has the highest point on earth in the form of Mount Everest in the Himalayas. On the other hand, Asia is also the home to the lowest place on land in the form of the Dead Sea. The continent also has the widest varieties of plant and animal lives.
Following are some useful information on Asia:
Area 44,579,000 km²
Population 3,879,000,000
Pop. density 89/km2 (226/sq mi)
Countries 47
Time Zones UTC+2 to UTC+12
The Location
Asia is located to the east of the Ural Mountains and the Suez Canal, and south of the Caspian and Black seas and the Caucasus Mountains. On its east, there is Pacific Ocean, while the India Ocean lies to its south. The Arctic Ocean lies to the north of the continent, while on its west, there is Europe and the Mediterranean.
Geographical Region Asia is divided into the following geographical region:
Central Asia
Iranian Plateau
East Asia
Far East
North Asia
South Asia (Indian Subcontinent)
Southeast Asia
Southwest Asia
The Climate
Due to its vast size, Asia sees a diverse variety of climates. The Asian climate is hugely influenced by the winds called monsoons, which flow regularly in the same direction during certain seasons. It flows from the north to east during winter, which causes cold and dry weather. During summer, the wind flows from the seas in the south to the southeast. The weather remains hot during this time. April to October is the time for rain in this continent. The eastern part of the continent experiences the heaviest rainfall. The amount of rainfall decreases as one goes away from the sea.
Africa
The second largest continent that you would find in a world continent map is the Africa. It is also the second most populous continent in the world after Asia. The continent is bordered by the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to the northeast, Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. Africa has 53 countries excluding the disputed territory in the Western Sahara. It also has a number of island groups.
Often described by the outsiders as the 'Dark Continent' or the 'Cradle of Mankind', Africa is immensely rich in mineral and natural resources. It is also the continent that boasts of rich variety of wildlife and biological resources, the preservation of which continues to be a challenge for conservationists from across the world. The continent is also the home to some of the poorest people on the planet. Many of the constituent countries in this continent are still undergoing the process of nation building to achieve integration with the rest of the world.
Following are some of the useful information about Africa:
Area 30,221,532 km²
Population 1,000,010,000
Pop. density 30.51/km2 (about 80/sq mi)
Countries 53
Time Zones UTC-1 to UTC+4
The Climate
The climate of Africa is dominated by a warm and hot weather conditions. However, the humidity and rainfall dramatically vary in different places across the continent. As the equator runs through the middle of the continent, the temperatures remain on the higher side throughout the year. There are very little variations in temperature between summer and winter. However, the cooler regions of the continent can be described as the northwestern part, the highland areas of the east, and some parts of the south.
Though the forests of the Congo Basin as well as the coastal regions in the western part of the continent sees rainfalls throughout the year, but the rest of the continent experience one or two seasons of heavy rainfall separated by dry spells.
North America North America is located in the northern and western hemisphere of the earth. Surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Arctic Ocean on the north, the North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Caribbean Sea and the South America on the southeast, North America is the third largest continent after Asia and Africa with an overall area of about 24,709,000 sq. km. It also has a population of nearly 529 million people. You would find the shape of the northernmost part of this continent elongated. In fact Greenland appears much bigger in size than it is in the world continent map. Earth being a sphere, if we try to project it on a plane some distortion happens at the edges.
The majority of the areas of the North American continent are occupied by two of the world's most developed countries - the U.S. and Canada. This continent also has very rich mineral and other natural resources. Besides these, the various National Parks of this continent offers some of the most spectacular panoramas in the world.
Following are some of the useful information on North America:
Area 24,709,000 km²
Population 528,720,588 (July 2008 est.)
Pop. density 22.9/km2 (59.3/sq mi)
Countries 23
Time Zones UTC-10 to UTC
The Climate
North America is the only continent in this world that has every kind of climate starting from dry to bitter cold of the Arctic to the steamy heat of the tropics. The continent also has some usual kind of climates, which cannot be found in other parts of the world. The interior of the Greenland remains covered by the ice and the temperature hardly rises above freezing. The treeless plain of the far north - the North American tundra only sees temperature rising above freezing during the summer only for a short duration. The rest of the continent remain cold during the winter and warn in the summer. Some parts of the continent may have mild winters and long hot summers. Other parts see short summers and harsh winters.
South America The fourth-largest continent in the world, South America is located in the Western Hemisphere and in the Southern Hemisphere. A small part of the continent is also located in the Northern Hemisphere. South America is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and north, the Caribbean Sean and North America on the northwest and the Pacific Ocean on the west. With an area of 17,840,000 sq. km, South America constitutes almost 3.5% of the Earth's surface. It is also the fifth most populous continent in the world after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America with an estimated population of more than 371,090,000.
Often referred to as Latin America, South America has the greatest north-south extension. The high mountains and the highland areas extend up to different elevation levels, which together contribute to its diverse climate.
Following are some of the useful information on South America:
Area 17,840,000 km2 (6,890,000 sq mi)
Population 385,742,554
Pop. density 21.4 per km2 (55.4 per sq mi)
Countries 13
Time Zones UTC-2 to UTC-5
The Climate
The most parts of South America experience warm weather throughout the year. However, the climate of the continent varies a lot from places to places. The wide variety of climates in South America ranges from dry desert condition in the northern part of Chile to the heavy rain areas in the southwester coast of the continent. The tropical rain forest of the Amazon basin experiences steamy heat. On the other hand, cold air dominates the snow-capped Andean peaks.
Antarctica It is the southernmost continent in the world. Located in the Antarctic region in the southern hemisphere, underlying the South Pole, Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Almost 98 percent of the continent is covered by ice with an average thickness of at least 1.6 km. It is also the coldest, windiest, and the driest continent in the Earth. On the world continent map, this continent is mostly shown in a distorted form as it is difficult to project its shape when we are plotting other continents in the same map. You can see the correct shape of this continent in Antarctica Map.
Antarctica is the only continent in the world where no permanent human residents can be found. Only cold-adapted floras and faunas can survive there. Penguins, Seals, Tundra Vegetation and several types of Algae can be found.
Following are some useful information on Antarctica:
Area (Overall) 14,000,000 km2 (5,405,428 sq mi)
(ice-free) 280,000 km2 (100,000 sq mi)
(ice-covered) 13,720,000 km2 (5,300,000 sq mi)
Europe Europe is the second smallest continent in the world in terms of surface area with an area of 10,180,000 sq. km. However it is the third most populous continent with an estimated population of around 731,000,000. The continent is surrounded by the Black Sea and the connected waterways to the southeast, the Arctic Ocean and the various other water bodies to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Europe is separated from Asia in the east by the Ural River, the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, besides the Black Sea to the southeast.
Despite its internal diversities of culture, language, customs, etc., Europe has come to represent a unique civilization and ethical values which had a tremendous influence on the rest of the world at different epochs of history. It is also the home to some of the most panoramic landscapes in the world.
Following are some useful information on Europe:
Area 10,180,000 km2 (3,930,000 sq mi)
Population 731,000,000
Pop. density 70/km2 (181/sq mi)
Countries 50
Time Zones UTC to UTC+5
The Climate
Most of the Europe sees mild weather caused by the winds from the Atlantic Ocean. However, there are some certain variations in the climate of Europe. The northern part of Europe sees long and colder winter and short and cooler summers than the other parts of the continent. The eastern part sees longer and colder winters and shorter and hotter summers than the west.
Australia It is the smallest continents in the world. According to one theory, the continent Australia only includes the Australian mainland, not the nearby islands like New Guinea or Tasmania. However, another theory says, those islands have to be included into the continent as they share the same geological landmass. New Zealand is not considered as a part of the continent of Australia. It is rather a part of Zealandia - a submerged continent. The continent of Australia, along with Zealandia constitutes a region called Oceania or Australasia.
Following are some useful information on Australia:
Area 8,468,300 km2
Population 31,260,000 (estimated)
Pop. density 3.7/km2
Countries Australia, Papua New Guinea, and portions of Indonesia
Time Zones GMT+10, GMT+9.30, GMT+8
The Climate Being located in the tropics, the northern third of Australia sees a warm and hot climate throughout the year. The rest are located in the south of the tropic and hence experience mild or cool winters and warm summers.
You can learn about various continents in the world and their characteristics by going through various world continent maps provided by Mapsofworld.com. Mapsofworld.com also offers a wide variety of world maps, which will help you to know this world and its continents better.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):
The NAFTA Secretariat is a unique organization established pursuant to Article 2002 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It administers the mechanisms specified under the NAFTA to resolve trade disputes between national industries and/or governments in a timely and impartial manner.
A similar administrative body, the Binational Secretariat, existed under the Canada - United States Free Trade Agreement to administer the dispute settlement provisions of that Agreement. It consisted of two offices, known as national sections, one in Ottawa and one in Washington, D.C.
Under the NAFTA, pursuant to the Parties' (NAFTA governments') obligation to establish, permanent, national Section offices in each country, Canada and the United States simply renamed their existing national Sections to the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section and the United States Section, respectively, and Mexico established its own national Section.
The NAFTA Secretariat is comprised of:
the Canadian Section located in Ottawa;
the Mexican Section located in Mexico City; and
the United States Section located in Washington, D.C.
The national sections, which are "mirror-images" of each other, are each headed by a Secretary appointed by their respective government. The Parties are responsible for the costs of operating their national section of the Secretariat.On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico (NAFTA) entered into force.
All remaining duties and quantitative restrictions were eliminated, as scheduled, on January 1, 2008.
NAFTA created the world's largest free trade area, which now links 450 million people producing $17 trillion worth of goods and services.
Trade between the United States and its NAFTA partners has soared since the agreement entered into force.
U.S. goods and services trade with NAFTA totaled $1.6 trillion in 2009 (latest data available for goods and services trade combined). Exports totaled $397 billion. Imports totaled $438 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with NAFTA was $41 billion in 2009.
The United States has $918 billion in total (two ways) goods trade with NAFTA countries (Canada and Mexico) during 2010. Goods exports totaled $412 billion; Goods imports totaled $506 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with NAFTA was $95 billion in 2010.
Trade in services with NAFTA (exports and imports) totaled $99 billion in 2009 (latest data available for services trade). Services exports were $63.8 billion. Services imports were $35.5 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with NAFTA was $28.3 billion in 2009.
Exports
The NAFTA countries (Canada and Mexico), were the top two purchasers of U.S. exports in 2010. (Canada $248.2 billion and Mexico $163.3 billion).
U.S. goods exports to NAFTA in 2010 were $411.5 billion, up 23.4% ($78 billion) from 2009, and 149% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round) and up 190% from 1993 (the year prior to NAFTA). U.S. exports to NAFTA accounted for 32.2% of overall U.S. exports in 2010.
The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Machinery ($63.3 billion), Vehicles (parts) ($56.7 billion), Electrical Machinery ($56.2 billion), Mineral Fuel and Oil ($26.7 billion), and Plastic ($22.6 billion).
U.S. exports of agricultural products to NAFTA countries totaled $31.4 billion in 2010. Leading categories include: red meats, fresh/chilled/frozen ($2.7 billion), coarse grains ($2.2 million), fresh fruit ($1.9 billion), snack foods (excluding nuts) ($1.8 billion), and fresh vegetables ($1.7 billion).
U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to NAFTA were $63.8 billion in 2009 (latest data available), down 7% ($4.6 billion) from 2008, but up 125% since 1994.
Imports
The NAFTA countries were the second and third largest suppliers of goods imports to the United States in 2010. (Canada $276.5 billon, and Mexico $229.7 billion).
U.S. goods imports from NAFTA totaled $506.1 billion in 2010, up 25.6% ($103 billion), from 2009, and up 184% from 1994, and up 235% from 1993. U.S. imports from NAFTA accounted for 26.5% of overall U.S. imports in 2010.
The five largest categories in 2010 were Mineral Fuel and Oil (crude oil) ($116.2 billion), Vehicles ($86.3 billion), Electrical Machinery ($61.8 billion), Machinery ($51.2 billion), and Precious Stones (gold) ($13.9).
U.S. imports of agricultural products from NAFTA countries totaled $29.8 billion in 2010. Leading categories include: fresh vegetables ($4.6 billion), snack foods, (including chocolate) ($4.0 billion), fresh fruit (excluding bananas) ($2.4 billion), live animals ($2.0 billion), and red meats, fresh/chilled/frozen ($2.0 billion).
U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) were $35.5 billion in 2009 (latest data available), down 11.2% ($4.5 billion) from 2008, but up 100% since 1994.
Trade Balances
The U.S. goods trade deficit with NAFTA was $94.6 billion in 2010, a 36.4% increase ($25 billion) over 2009. The U.S. goods trade deficit with NAFTA accounted for 26.8% of the overall U.S. goods trade deficit in 2010.
The United States had a services trade surplus of $28.3 billion with NAFTA countries in 2009 (latest data available).
Investment
U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in NAFTA Countries (stock) was $357.7 billion in 2009 (latest data available), up 8.8% from 2008.
U.S. direct investment in NAFTA Countries is in nonbank holding companies, and in the manufacturing, finance/insurance, and mining sectors.
NAFTA Countries FDI in the United States (stock) was $237.2 billion in 2009 (latest data available), up 16.5% from 2008.
NAFTA countries direct investment in the U.S. is in the manufacturing, finance/insurance, and banking sectors.
NOTE: Refers to private services trade not including military sales, direct defense expenditures, and other miscellaneous U.S. government services.
Euro Countries......
Today, the euro is one of the world's most powerful currencies, used by more than 320 million Europeans in twenty-three countries. The countries currently using the euro are:
1) Andorra
2) Austria
3) Belgium
4) Cyprus
5) Estonia
6) Finland
7) France
8) Germany
9) Greece
10) Ireland
11) Italy
12) Kosovo
13) Luxembourg
14) Malta
15) Monaco
16) Montenegro
17) Netherlands
18) Portugal
19) San Marino
20) Slovakia
21) Slovenia
22) Spain
23) Vatican City
The Four Tigers:
1) South Korea
2) Taiwan
3) Singapore
4) Hong Kong
The Triad:
1) US
2) Euro
3) Japan
The Quad:
1) US
2) Euro
3) Japan
4) Canada
