Continents An overview

Bellwork: Wednesday, November 7 What is a continent? What is a country? What is a state/province? What is a city?

Continent One of the world’s largest landmasses, usually mostly surrounded by water. They are NOT countries (except Australia). Examples: North America, Asia, and Africa.

Country A country is a nation that has its own government that controls a particular territory. No other government can tell it what to do. Examples: U.S., China, and Russia

State/Province A smaller political region of a larger country. States/provinces are NOT countries. Examples: Michigan and Florida in the US, Ontario and Quebec in Canada.

City A large town or settlement where many people live. Examples: New York City, London, and Hong Kong.

Vegetation/Biomes

Tropical Savanna Warm weather Primarily grassland, with widely spaced, drought resistant trees Moderate to high rainfall: 40” – 60” per year Distinct dry season - frequent fires Found near the equator (most of Africa, parts of Central and South America, South Asia, and north Australia).

Tropical Rainforest Warm weather Very dense trees, little sunlight on the forest floor (canopy) High rainfall: 100” – 180” per year. Sometimes daily rains. Little seasonal change. Hot and humid year-round. Found near the equator (South America, parts of Africa and South Asia).

Desert Usually very hot (except Antarctica) Very little rainfall (less than 10”) Little to no vegetation, limited to cacti, shrubs, and other drought-resistant plants Usually found just north or south of the tropics (North and South Africa, Southwest and Central Asia, southern United States, and Australia)

Temperate Deciduous Forest Warm summers, cool winters Moderate rainfall (25”-50” per year). Trees lose their leaves seasonally. Usually found in temperate areas (North America, Europe, East Asia, and East Australia).

Taiga (Boreal Forest) Short and mild summers, long and cold winters. Moderate to low rainfall. Trees do not lose their needle-like leaves (evergreens). Found in colder areas closer to the north pole (most of Northern North America and Eurasia).

Alpine Found at high elevation, where the air is always fairly cold. Moderate to low rainfall. Characterized by grasses and shrubs than can grow in a colder, drier environment. Found in mountainous areas all over the world (Andes, Rockies, Himalayas, etc.).

Tundra Cool summers, very cold winters. Low rainfall. Soil frozen for most of the year, preventing tree growth and only allowing certain grasses, shrubs, and moss to grow. Found in polar regions, in the far north of North America and Eurasia.

Ice Cap Frozen year round, with limited melting. Little to no precipitation. Found in polar regions, in the far north of North America and Eurasia, Greenland, and Antarctica.