World Geography Grade 5

North America Did you know… North America is the only continent that has every kind of climate? North America is also the 3 rd largest continent. It was named after the explorer, Americo Vespucci.

Can you name this physical feature? If you guessed the Rocky Mountains, you’re right! The Rocky Mountain range is actually 2 different mountain chains, one on top of the other. Located in the western part of North America, the Rockies sweep down from Alaska through Canada and through the U.S.

Do you know this mountain range? It’s the Appalachian Mountains! Located on the Eastern half of the U.S., it is one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges! They have eroded over time and do not even have snow on the tops of them during the summer!

North America consists of 3 large countries. Can you name all three? United States of America Canada Mexico

What is this country?! Greenland! Did you know Greenland is actually part of North America but ruled by Denmark?! Another interesting fact is that Greenland is actually not green at all- it’s almost completely made of ice! July is the only month that Greenland’s temperature averages above freezing!

South America Did you know… The largest rain forest and the second longest river in the world is located in South America? There are 12 countries in South America, including one of the biggest countries in the world, Brazil.

Name that river. It’s the Amazon River!

What is the longest continental mountain range in the world? (It extends from north to south through seven South American countries!) The Andes Mountains! The Andes contain some of the world’s highest volcanoes!

Europe Cool facts about Europe: Europe is the only continent without deserts. Both World Wars were largely focused in Europe. Golf was started in Great Britain, and the piano and guitar are also European inventions.

Europe is separated from Asia by what mountain range?! The Ural Mountains! Like the Appalachian Mountains, the Urals were formed about 300 million years ago.

What are the highest, youngest and most populated mountains in the world? The Alps! The famous Alps run through several European countries: France, Italy, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstien, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. *Think The Sound of Music! “The hills are alive…!”

Do you know the major peninsulas in Europe?! Iberian (Spain & Portugal), Scandanavian (Norway, Sweden, Finland), Italy and Greece!

G’day mate! Welcome to Australia! Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is one of the largest countries on Earth. Although it is rich in natural resources and has a lot of fertile land, more than one-third of Australia is desert.

What is the largest coral reef system in the world? The Great Barrier reef is the worlds largest living structure. Astronauts can even see the GBF from space!!

This physical feature of Australia covers most of the continent, but more than 90% of the population lives on the coast, so this area is mostly uninhabited… can you guess what it is called? The Outback! Cool Fact: The Outback has the only known fossilized dinosaur stampede in the world!

Asia Asia is the world’s largest and most populated continent with over 4 BILLION people calling it home. Asia also contains the world’s most populated country, China and the world’s largest country, Russia.

The Arabian Peninsula Arabia is the original homeland of the Arab people. It is also the birthplace of the religion of Islam.

This mountain range comes from the Sanskrit phrase “home of the snow.” Can you guess its name?! The Himalayas! The Himalayas are high enough to always have snow on them. They separate India from the rest of Asia, forming the border between India and China and between India and Central Asia. India is still slowly pushing against Asia, moving north about one centimeter every six months, and that is still pushing the land upwards, so the Himalayas are still growing and still getting higher and higher!

I am a north eastern country of Asia, and make up three-quarters of Russia. I am mostly swampland and heavily forested. I am surrounded by the Arctic and Pacific Ocean. What country am I? Siberia!

The “Waterless Place” (who am I?) The Gobi Desert! Cool Facts: Gobi means waterless place – but lies in a rain shadow caused by the Himalayas. It is a COLD desert, but it rarely snows. The eggs of a dinosaur were first identified in the Gobi Desert.

Africa Interesting Facts: Africa is the second largest continent in the world; it straddles the equator and is the hottest continent on earth. Long before humans were around (the early Mesozoic Era) Africa was joined to the other continents in a massive continent called Pangaea. Over millions of years this huge continent broke apart shaping the world landscape as we know it today.

Africa holds the largest desert and the longest river in the world. What are they? The Sahara Desert & the Nile River! The Nile River actually runs through the eastern part of the Sahara Desert? The Nile River also runs NORTH and drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The Sahara desert is home to quite a few species of animals. Camels and goats are the only ones amongst the domesticated animals one may see out here. Apart from these, the Saharan cheetah, the sand vipers, scorpions, and monitor lizards can be found out here.

I am Africa’s largest lake and named after a Queen. About 80% of my water comes from rain. Who am I? Lake Victoria!

I am a river located very close to the Equator, but still get up to 90 inches of rainfall a year. Tropical rain forests surround me, as well as grassland. I am home to hundreds of animals including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, zebras, gazelles, giraffes, etc. Who am I? The Congo River Basin!

Antarctica Antarctica is Earth's southernmost continent, containing the geographic South Pole. It is situated in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Most of Antarctica is covered in ice over 1 mile thick! Around 90% of the ice on Earth is found on Antarctica!