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Continent (geography)
Originally, a very large contiguous landmass on Old Earth, separated or largely separated from other continents by ocean. By common convention, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia were regarded as continents, though some preferred to regard Europe as a subcontinent of a larger Eurasian continent. Land masses smaller than Australia, such as Greenland or New Guinea, were somewhat arbitrarily regarded as large islands.
Some Gaian class worlds, some terraformed worlds, and some extremely large habitats such as Banks Orbitals may also have land masses that are regarded by their inhabitants as continents. In such places, as on Old Earth, the designation of a geographic continent is more a matter of convention than definition. The geological definition of a continent is somewhat less subject to cultural interpretation.
Some Gaian class worlds, some terraformed worlds, and some extremely large habitats such as Banks Orbitals may also have land masses that are regarded by their inhabitants as continents. In such places, as on Old Earth, the designation of a geographic continent is more a matter of convention than definition. The geological definition of a continent is somewhat less subject to cultural interpretation.
Related Articles
- Africa
- Antarctica (Antarctic Free States)
- Asia
- Australia
- Continent (geology)
- Continental Drift - Text by M. Alan Kazlev
The slow movement of crustal plates (usually bearing continents or terranes) on a tectonically active eoarean, eogaian, or gaian world. The plates float over the molten asthenosphere. - Continental Shield - Text by M. Alan Kazlev
A stable, ancient region, usually flat to slightly convex, in a continent on a world that experiences continental drift; the core from which the continent has grown over time. - Erson - Text by Anders Sandberg
A continent on the planet Brin in the 42 Tauri system; site of the famous Battle of Erson. Now a part of the Metasoft empire. Large parts of the planet are still uninhabitable to biont life outside protective domes. The impressive Danton Monument stands as an timeless monument to the foolishness of war, and attracts a large number of peace pilgrims and ahimsic tourists. - Europe
- North America
- Old Earth
- Quark, Continent of
- South America
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Development Notes
Text by Stephen Inniss
Initially published on 20 June 2010.
Initially published on 20 June 2010.
