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I hope that CGFers can help me with a question I was recently asked by a friend who is writing a book about Geography for 5-8 year olds. What are the continents of the world ? Well, it seems the standard response is: Africa, Asia, South America, North American, Europe, Australiasia, Antarctica. 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] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%