planisphere![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Map depicting the Earth’s two hemispheres.
Pacific Ocean ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The world’s largest ocean (69 million mi2), the Pacific covers 30% of the Earth’s surface, more than all of the continents put together.
Central America ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Extends from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico to the Isthmus of Panama.
Caribbean Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Body of water (1.1 million mi2) located between Central America and the northern portion of South America.
Atlantic Ocean ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The world’s second largest ocean (36 million mi2); it covers 20% of the Earth’s surface.
Antarctica ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The only uninhabited continent (5 million mi2), located inside the south polar circle; 98% of its surface is covered with an ice cap. Antarctica holds 90% of the Earth’s freshwater reserves.
Red Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Gulf (165,000 mi2) located between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula; it connects to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.
Australia ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The world’s largest island (3 million mi2) is sparsely inhabited in spite of its size; because of its isolation, Australia’s wildlife is unique.
Indian Ocean ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Relatively small ocean (29 million mi2) located between Africa, Asia and Australia; it has high water temperatures and is dotted with numerous islands.
Arctic Ocean ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The smallest of the oceans (5.8 million mi2), bordered by the northern coasts of Asia, America and Europe; it is largely covered with pack ice.
South China Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Southern part of the China Sea bordering the entire southeast coast of Asia as well as Borneo, the Philippines and Taiwan.
Bering Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Northern part of the Pacific between Kamchatka (in Asia) and Alaska; it is deepest in its southern portion.
Caspian Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The world’s largest lake (140,000 mi2), located between Europe and Asia; it has no link to an ocean and is diminishing in size.
Black Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Inland sea (162,000 mi2) between Eastern Europe and Asia; it opens into the Mediterranean through two straits, the Dardanelles and the Bosporus.
Mediterranean Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
One of the largest inland seas in the world (965,000 mi2); it lies between Europe, Africa and Asia and connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Greenland Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Sea (465,000 mi2) in the North Atlantic; it is bordered by the coast of Greenland.
North Sea ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Relatively shallow sea (220,000 mi2) in the North Atlantic and bordered by the coasts of Europe; some major European ports are located along its estuaries.
Arctic ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Vast region inside the north polar circle; it includes the Arctic Ocean and the lands bordering it.
Eurasia ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Composed of Europe and Asia, Eurasia represents about 39% of the world’s land; it forms a true continent that geographers have distinguished for historical and ethnographic reasons.
Africa ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Continent that represents about 20% of the world’s land; two-thirds of its surface lies north of the Equator. Characterized by very hot climates, Mediterranean in the north and south, tropical and arid elsewhere.
Asia ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The largest and most populous continent, Asia represents 32% of the world’s land; it is dominated by imposing mountain ranges.
Europe ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Western extremity of the vast Eurasian continent that, by convention, is separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains; it covers a relatively small area.
Oceania ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Continent that represents 6% of the world’s land and features a great many islands in the Pacific and Indian oceans; Australia is its true continent.
South America ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Represents 12% of the world’s land; linked to North America by Central America; it includes the Andes in the west and plains and plateaus in east and central regions.
North America ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Its area (9.3 million mi2) represents about 16% of the world’s land; the Central American isthmus is an extension of North America.