>I hope someone can provide an answer to this one! I've been asked the same
question bt my 8 year old sister, and was (highly embarressingly) unable to
provide anything like an anwer.
Graham Gardner,
IGES
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
>
>But, what is the basis of this taxonomy, what is a continent ? It is not a
>single isolated land mass. Nor, is it a 'tectonic plate'. Dictionary
>definitions don't seem to help.
>
>Maybe I have a fatal flaw in my general education as a Geographer and I
>should know the answer to this, but I don't !
>
>Of course, the 'real answer' is that it is a social construction. But, that
>simply generates more questions: who created it, who normalised it ? Also,
>what are the other constructions (South American, or Asian geographers might
>have an entirely different taxonomy).
>
>Maybe there's a simple answer ? Maybe there's a whole history of debate out
>there. Can any body help? Two sorts of answers please. First, the 'grown up'
>one. Second, what should I tell my friend (what should we tell 6 year olds
>in a book about 'the world' and 'geography'?).
>
>Andy C Pratt
>
>
>Dr Andy C Pratt
>Department of Geography and Environment
>London School of Economics and Political Science
>Houghton Street
>London WC2A 2AE
>Tel: +44 (0)171 955 7588
>Fax: +44 (0)171 955 7412
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
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