Worked example 1
Which ocean lies between Europe/Africa and the Americas?
- Picture a world map.
- Europe and Africa are on the right, the Americas on the left.
- The ocean between them is the Atlantic.
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean
Geography · Foundation
The seven continents and five oceans
Continents are the Earth's seven large land masses. Oceans are the five connected bodies of salt water that cover about 71% of the planet's surface.
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Before you start
Who it's for and what to know first
None.
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How it works
- Continents, largest to smallest: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia (Oceania).
- Oceans, largest to smallest: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic.
- The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth. Africa and South America are crossed by it.
- Some counting systems differ — for example, some countries teach six continents by joining the Americas or Europe and Asia. This page uses the widely taught seven.
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Practice questions
Tips
Common mistakes
- Calling Australia only a country — it is also the main land mass of the continent often called Oceania.
- Calling a country a continent — Africa is a continent of 54 countries, not a single country.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026