TOPIC 03 :MAJOR FEATURES OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE
Earth is the fifth largest planet in the solar system. Its surface is approximately 510 millions square kilometers.This means that earth is very large. The surface of the earth is made up of two main features LAND and WATER BODIES The land's surface area is estimated at 29.2% of the total area of the earth's surface, while water covers the remaining 70.8%. Most of the land exists in large blocks called Continents.
Likewise, most of the water is contained in large water bodies called seas and oceans.
CONTINENT
Continent is a major landmass rising from the ocean floor. Formerly the continents were big landmass known as Pangaea. Due to the forces operating continuously, the landmass was separated into two parts namely Laurasia to the northern hemisphere and Gondwanaland to the Southern hemisphere. Further separation or drifting led to the formation of the present continents which include Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe,,North America and Southern America. The boundaries of the continents with the exception of Asia and Europe were filled with water. Ural Mountains separate Europe and Asia. While other continents are separated by water bodies called seas and oceans. For instance, the African continent and Asia to the north are separated by the Mediterranean Sea and Red sea. Africa and South America are separated by Atlantic ocean, etc.
