The course and geographic maps

In this course the nature of our planet is studied continent by continent and ocean by ocean. A continent is a huge landmass that is one whole in its tectonic structure; there are six: Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica and Australia. A “part of the world” is a historical-cultural idea, and six are named: Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia (with Oceania) and Antarctica. So Eurasia is one continent but two parts of the world, while North and South America are two continents but one part of the world. Because the water cover is continuous, it is called the World Ocean; its parts between the continents are the oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic (some scientists also separate a fifth, the Southern Ocean). The line where the surface of an ocean or sea meets the land is the coastline. The textbook starts with Africa because its nature is unique, then goes on to Australia, Antarctica, South America, North America and Eurasia.