• DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    9
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    Seven is wrong no matter your definition of continent, unless you count New Zealand or “because racism.”

    Depending on your definition there are between four and nine continents, but the definition that includes Europe to make a total of seven necessitates India being its own continent without racism being the primary reason why Europe is a continent and India is not.

    (Also if it transcended culture it wouldn’t depend on culture for the answer)

    (Also some people do say there are seven, because India is a continent with a land barrier and a tectonic plate and Europe is not)

      • DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        2 months ago

        And that’s valid, if your definition is just continuous land masses. However, some definitions incorporate ideas of notable narrowings such as the African and Central American connections and continental plates, or even projected drift.

        For example, some day the Americas and Africa/Eurasia will separate from continental drift. Some even argue the Americas already are separated thanks to the Panana Canal, humans just hurried the process along.