Question that's been bugging me for awhile. Re: geography.

[tabasco]

Why are Europe and Asia separate continents?

They look pretty connected up to me. :shrug:

Thanks.

[Dave Reynolds]

1. I remember a 70s era textbook that called it "Eurasia".

Very 1984-ish, yah?

[tabasco]

2. I don't think anybody even knows where Europe ends

and Asia begins.

[rockymountaindem]

5. Europe is separated from Asia by two mountain ranges

In the east, the Ural mountains running roughly from the Caspian sea north to the Arctic ocean. In the south, the Caucasus mountains, running from the Black sea to the Caspian separate the two continents.

[tabasco]

8. So why isn't Alaska a continent?

And the west coast of North America? They are seperated by mountain ranges too.

[rockymountaindem]

16. That's just where the boundaries are

My only guess as to why they are where they are, or why Asia and Europe are considered separate continents, is because Europeans have always seen themselves as being different from Asians and inhabiting a different kind of place.

[Dave Reynolds]

17. I lived in Alaska for about 13 months,

and during that time I could NOT convince my family that international rates did not apply when making a phone call.

I remember being on the phone with a clinician from a southern state. He was asking me what possibly would take a specimen so long to be brought in from one of the bush hospitals. I was being a smart-ass and said "sometimes the dogs pulling the sleds refuse to go fast."

He believed me.

[tabasco]

18. Heehee! I might have believed you too!

Well, probably not.

I would like to go to Alaska someday.

Right now I am looking for a new place to live.

I am considering someplace warm, and I never thought I would do that.

[mdmc]

3. europe was too good to be group with asia

[tabasco]

7. I think it was the cultural reason. What other reason is there?

But at some point, somebody should have said "oops" it's really one continent.


It's a solid freaking landmass. If Europe is a seperate continent, then Alaska should be too.

[JohnKleeb]

4. Geography takes in to account culture too

I think that could be why.

[rockymountaindem]

6. And climate

To the east of the Urals lies Siberia and the great deserts of the Asian interior in countries such as Khazakstan. Neither of these biomes is found in Europe to any great extent.

[JohnKleeb]

9. Right

It's more than just location. It's culture, climate, and other things.

[tabasco]

11. Well, then Asia should be about twenty continents.

Plenty of cultures and climates on that big ol' landmass.

[JohnKleeb]

13. definely

China, Pakistan, Bangaldash, and India make up a huge fraction of the worlds population.

[tabasco]

15. I've never been to Asia.

I would like to visit India someday.

[tabasco]

10. That seems pretty arbitrary.

India should be a continent too.

But it only gets "sub-continent" status. How come?? :shrug:

[JohnKleeb]

12. I dunno I didn't make the decisions

With the exception of Australia and since Australia was discovered by Westerners in the 1700's no country is its own country as well as a continent.

[tabasco]

14. I dunno either.

That's why I was curious.