π What is an Island?
An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water. Think of it as a little home in the middle of a big, watery neighborhood! π Islands can be found in oceans, seas, lakes, and even rivers. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny rocky outcrops to large landmasses like Greenland (which, surprisingly, is considered the world's largest island!).
π What is a Continent?
A continent is a very large landmass surrounded, or mostly surrounded, by water. Continents are much, much bigger than islands! ποΈ Our planet has seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Continents are like giant homes for lots of countries, people, and animals!
π Islands vs. Continents: The Key Differences
Let's break down the differences between islands and continents in a handy table:
| Feature |
Island |
Continent |
| Size |
Smaller |
Much Larger |
| Surrounding Water |
Completely surrounded |
Mostly or completely surrounded |
| Number on Earth |
Many |
Seven |
| Examples |
Hawaii, Madagascar, Greenland |
Africa, Asia, North America |
π‘ Key Takeaways
- π Size Matters: π Continents are much larger than islands.
- π§ Surrounded by Water: π Both are surrounded by water, but continents are HUGE.
- πΊοΈ Number: There are only seven continents, but tons of islands! ποΈ