Transcript AFRUASIA What is a continent?

Writing into the day
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What is history?
Can history be argued? How?
Can history be changed?
Who writes history?
How many continents are there?
How do you know this?
AFRUASIA
What is a continent?
How many Continents are there?
Definition of a Continent
• “One of the six or seven great divisions of land
on the Globe.” -Webster's Online
• One of seven large land masses on the earth’s
surface” –6th grade textbook.
• “A continent is one of several large landmasses
on Earth. They are generally identified by
convention rather than any strict criteria, with
seven regions commonly regarded as continents
– they are (from largest in size to smallest): Asia,
Africa, North America, South America,
Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.” -Wikipedia
Definition of a Continent
Continued…
• Wikipedia goes on to say
”Conventionally, Continents are
understood to be large, continuous,
discrete masses of land, ideally
separated by expanses of water... The
narrowest meaning of continent is that
of a continuous area of land or
mainland, with the coastline and any
land boundaries forming the edge of
the continent.”
Wait a minute, lets count again…
• If we follow the rule of thumb for definition
of a continent, there would be around
three, maybe four (Still not sure about
Antarctica).
• So why do you think we are insistent on
dividing the world into seven distinct
continents?
So if there isn’t a physical divide,
how about a cultural divide? In
modern times, we have
intentionally divided the world into
distinct regions, not based on
physical features, but cultural
features. Why? White Europeans
largely drew these lines, mostly to
divide between them and “others.”
So what is the point?
• Do we set up these “boundaries” to make distinctions
between geographical regions, or race, culture, and
religion?
• Do we consider Asia and Africa “exotic” or “isolated”
because of this divide?
• Instead of emphasizing the interconnectedness of the
world, we emphasize its divisons.
• Did you know that there were trade routes connecting
Europe, Africa and Asia over 1500 years ago?
• Why do we think of Africa and Asia as so remote and
foreign?
Thoughts?
• Can you see how looking at something
that you thought you understood in a
deeper way can change your perspective?
• How often do we take accepted
knowledge for granted? How often do we
read lies/untruths in our newspapers, the
internet, and even our textbooks, and don’t
realize it?
The first Humans were in Africa
• 2.5 million years ago
in the Paleolithic
period
• In Uganda, Kenya
and Tanzania, on the
Continent of Africa
Started moving up and out
• By 750,000 years
ago, people started
moving out of Africa,
up the continent and
towards the Middle
East and Europe
• This was led by a
need for food
• Still hunter gatherers
Then to China!
• China by circa
600,000 years
ago
• Lantian Man and
Peking Man are
remains of
humans from the
Paleolithic Age
Then Through Europe!
• People had reached
Britain by 250, 000
years ago
• The Venus of
Willendorf is a
Paleolithic statue that
was found in Austria,
dated about 25,000
years ago.
Then to Australia
• Australia by 60,000
years ago
• The earliest cave
paintings in the world
are located here
Finally…The Americas
• Humans crossed the
Siberian land bridge
circa 30,000 years
ago
• They made their way
down through the
North America all the
way to South America