GRADE FIVE SOCIAL STUDIES

Hello Boys and Girls, Let’s continue to learn more about the planet on which we live. Last week we talked a bit about the seven continents, the area of each and some other details about them. Now, we shall find out more details about them.

The seven continents of the world

Look at the map of the continents you were given last week. Name the continents. We know that our forefathers or ancestors came from different continents. Point out the continents from where they came.

Look at the largest continent, Asia and Europe. Do they look like two separate continents? Well, many people combine these two continents into a single continent and call it Eurasia. Many other people combine the continents of North America and South America into one continent and call it the Americas.

Africa Africa is the second largest continent. It covers about 1/5 of the total land area of the world. It is also the second largest in terms of population. Nearly 1/8 of the world’s people live in Africa. This large land mass comprises 54 countries which are rich in natural resources and wildlife. The countries include Sudan, the largest country in the continent, Seychelles, the smallest and Nigeria the most populous. You make a list of at least ten other African countries.

Antarctica Antarctica is the continent further towards the south than any other. The South Pole of the earth is contained in this continent. It is made up mainly of permanent glaciers (extremely large masses of ice); for this reason it is known as the frozen continent. This is one of the most uninhabited places on planet earth. It is the least populated continent. It is known as the coldest, driest and windiest continent. Only a very few species of plants and animals can survive in this icy continent. The few humans who live on Antarctica are there especially for the purpose of research.

However, in the seas surrounding Antarctica are seals, whales and walruses and along the icy shores a few birds can be seen for short periods each year; but the penguins are the only birds that live there all year round.

Asia Asia is the largest continent on earth in size as well as population. It covers one third of the total land area and contains about three fifths of the world’s people. This continent which is known for its large size, dense settlements and extremely large area of barely populated regions contains 49 countries, including Russia which is located partly in Europe and mostly in Asia. Russia is the world’s largest country. China another country in Asia is the world’s most populous country. Other countries in Asia include Singapore, Bangladesh, Hong Kong Indonesia and Japan. You add at least ten other Asian countries to this list.

Australia Australia, the smallest of all the continents is known as the single country continent. Many geographers consider Australia to be an island. Do you need to be told why? It is because it is surrounded by water. They refer to it as an island continent because it is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. However, they feel that it is large enough to be considered a continent. For this reason the continent is known as “Oceania”

This is the sixth largest country in the world in area. It is one of the least populated continents and is rich in biodiversity (a wide variety of plant and animal species living in their natural environment). The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef is in Australia.

Europe This is the second smallest continent, but it has about one eighth of world’s population. The only continent it is bigger than is Australia. Europe contains almost 50 countries and is the third most populated continent in the world, after Asia and Africa. The countries include Russia, the largest which takes up about 40 percent of its land area; the Vatican City, its smallest country; France, Germany, Portugal, Finland and the United Kingdom. Please add at least ten other countries to this list.

For you to do Include the capital of each country you have in your lists.

Do enjoy the last week of your vacation. Make sure that you are relaxed and ready and that you have everything for school ready.

Goodbye boys and girls. May God bless you!