CONTINENTS AND OCEANS

If we look at a globe or simple map of the world the first thing we notice is that it is two different colours. 

These colours are usually green and blue These colours are usually green and blue. The green area is land, and the blue area is water.

One way to look at the world is by looking at a globe One way to look at the world is by looking at a globe. A globe is a round model of the Earth. By looking at a globe and spinning it around, we can see all the areas of land and water in scale, so they are exactly true to their real shapes and sizes.

Scale is the way that mapmakers reduce the real size of land masses, oceans, rivers, and other landforms to sizes that fit on a map or globe. Having a true scale is an advantage of using a globe. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Rotating_globe.gif

We can not, however, see all of the world at the same time We can not, however, see all of the world at the same time. We can not see what is on the back of the globe, while we are looking at the front. This is one disadvantage of using a globe.

Another way to see the world's land masses and bodies of water is by looking at a flat map. With a flat map, we can see the entire world at one time. This is an advantage of using a flat map.

Because the world is round and not flat, a flat map can not show the exact scale of the shape or size of the land and water areas. This is one disadvantage of using a flat map.

Whether we are using a globe or flat map of the world, all of the world's land is broken up into seven main sections. These very large areas of land are called continents.

Canada, the United States and Mexico The 7 Continents Asia Africa South America North America - Canada, the United States and Mexico Europe Antarctica Australia/Oceania

Oceans make up most of the world's surface area Oceans make up most of the world's surface area. There are five oceans that separate the continents from one another.

The 5 Major Oceans: Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Arctic Ocean Southern Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean, while the Arctic Ocean is the smallest. The Southern Ocean became the 5th official ocean in the year 2000.