World divided into seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia/Oceania. UN recognizes 195 countries, including 193 members and 2 non-member observer states. Some countries are territories ruled by other nations
Southern Hemisphere is Earth's half south of equator. Contains 80.9% water and 32.7% of Earth's land area. Experiences milder climates and opposite seasons. Contains five continents and four oceans
Antarctica is Earth's southernmost continent, covering 14.2 million square kilometers. No permanent population exists, but 1,000-5,000 scientists visit annually. Contains all four South Poles and is Earth's largest desert
Africa covers 11.7 million square miles with over 1.4 billion people. Contains 54 independent countries and 4 dependencies. Borders Atlantic, Indian Oceans and Mediterranean Sea. Features diverse landscapes from deserts to rainforests
Plateau is an extensive flat upland bounded by steep slopes. Plateaus differ from mountain ranges by being remarkably flat. Some plateaus are integral parts of mountain belts. Plateau surface can extend hundreds to thousands of kilometres
North America spans 5,000 miles between Arctic Circle and Tropic of Cancer. Covers 9,355,000 square miles with 37,000-mile coastline. Highest point is Denali at 20,310 feet, lowest is Death Valley at 282 feet. Contains oldest rocks on Earth, built around Canadian Shield