- General knowledge
- Classes 3-5
- 3 min read
Continents and oceans
Learn the seven continents and five oceans of Earth, where India is, and simple ways to remember their names.
Let us begin
The big idea
Look at a globe. You will see big pieces of land and big areas of water. The giant pieces of land are called continents, and the giant areas of salty water are called oceans. Let us learn their names.
There are 7 continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia. We live in Asia.
There are 5 oceans: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
Oceans cover most of the Earth. About 7 parts out of every 10 parts of the surface are water.
The Indian Ocean is to the south of India. The Arctic Ocean is near the North Pole. The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica, which is the icy continent at the South Pole. The Atlantic Ocean lies between the Americas on one side and Europe and Africa on the other.
To remember, say the lists aloud many times, or make a rhyme with the first letters.
Worked examples
See how it works
Where is India?
India is in the continent of Asia. To the south of India is the Indian Ocean. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are parts of it.
Count them
Continents: Asia (1), Africa (2), North America (3), South America (4), Antarctica (5), Europe (6), Australia (7). Oceans: Pacific (1), Atlantic (2), Indian (3), Southern (4), Arctic (5). Total names to learn: 7 + 5 = 12.
Two Americas
North America and South America both have America in their names. They are two different continents, not one.
Try it at home
World name cards
You will need
- 12 small paper slips
- pencil
- two sheets of paper
- a globe or atlas if you have one
What to do
- Write the names of the 7 continents on 7 slips.
- Write the names of the 5 oceans on 5 slips.
- Mix all slips. Sort them onto two sheets: Continents and Oceans.
- If you have a globe or atlas, find India and the ocean south of it.
- Time yourself and try to sort faster the next time.
Ask a grown-up: An adult can help point out Asia and the Indian Ocean on a globe or in a school atlas.
Fun fact
About 7 parts out of 10 of the Earth's surface are covered by ocean water.
Practice sheet
Check what you learned
Practice sheet: Continents and oceans (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)
- How many continents are there?
- How many oceans are there?
- In which continent do we live?
- Which is the icy continent at the South Pole?
- Which ocean has the name of our country?
- Which two continents have America in their names?
- Which ocean is near the North Pole?
- Name all five oceans.
- Which ocean lies between the Americas and Europe and Africa?
- Which ocean surrounds Antarctica?
Answer key
Answers: Continents and oceans
- 7.
- 5.
- Asia.
- Antarctica.
- The Indian Ocean.
- North America and South America.
- The Arctic Ocean.
- Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic.
- The Atlantic Ocean.
- The Southern Ocean.