Continent vs. Ocean — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
Continent is a large, continuous landmass. Ocean is a vast body of saltwater covering about 71% of Earth's surface. Continents are land-based while oceans are water bodies.
Difference Between Continent and Ocean
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A continent and an ocean are fundamental geographical entities, yet they exhibit distinct characteristics. A continent is a large, continuous landmass on Earth's surface. There are seven recognized continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. These landforms harbor various ecosystems, terrains, and human civilizations.
Conversely, an ocean refers to the immense bodies of saltwater that cover approximately 71% of our planet's surface. There are five primary oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic oceans. Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, facilitating marine biodiversity, and serving as significant avenues for global trade and transportation.
While continents provide habitats for a myriad of terrestrial species and diverse human cultures, oceans are teeming with marine life ranging from microscopic plankton to colossal whales. The interplay between continents and oceans has shaped Earth's geological and climatic history, with oceans influencing continental weather patterns and continents affecting oceanic currents.
Continents and oceans together form the dynamic mosaic of Earth's surface. While continents can be described as the "solid" part of this planet, often defined by their tectonic plates, oceans are the "liquid" expanses, vast and mysterious, connecting lands and influencing global climate and ecology.
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Large, continuous landmass
Vast body of saltwater
ADVERTISEMENT
Number Recognized
Seven: Asia, Africa, etc.
Five: Pacific, Atlantic, etc.
Covers Percentage
About 29% of Earth's surface
About 71% of Earth's surface
Inhabitant
Terrestrial species and human civilizations
Marine life
Impact
Contributes to biodiversity and cultural diversity
Regulates global climate and facilitates marine trade
Compare with Definitions
Continent
One of the seven primary landmasses on Earth.
Asia is the largest continent both in area and population.
Ocean
A marine ecosystem teeming with life.
The coral reefs in the Indian Ocean are biodiversity hotspots.
Continent
A landmass bounded by oceans.
Antarctica is a continent surrounded by the Southern Ocean.
Ocean
A vast body of saltwater separating continents.
The Atlantic Ocean lies between America and Europe.
Continent
A continuous expanse of land.
The European continent boasts a rich historical legacy.
Ocean
The interconnected body of Earth's saltwater.
Oceans play a vital role in regulating the planet's climate.
Continent
A continent is one of several large landmasses. Generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, up to seven regions are commonly regarded as continents.
Ocean
The ocean (also the sea or the world ocean) is the body of salt water which covers approximately 71% of the surface of the Earth and contains 97% of Earth's water. Another definition is "any of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is divided".
Continent
One of the principal land masses of the earth, usually regarded as including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Ocean
The entire body of salt water that covers more than 70 percent of the earth's surface.
Continent
Continent The mainland of Europe. Used with the.
Ocean
Abbr. Oc. or O. Any of the principal divisions of the ocean, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans.
Continent
Exercising continence.
Ocean
A great expanse or amount
"that ocean of land which is Russia" (Henry A. Kissinger).
Continent
Each of the main continuous land-masses on the earth's surface, now generally regarded as seven in number, including their related islands, continental shelves etc.
Ocean
(countable) One of the large bodies of water separating the continents.
Continent
A large contiguous landmass considered independent of its islands, peninsulas etc. Specifically, the Old World continent of Europe–Asia–Africa. See the Continent.
Ocean
(uncountable) Water belonging to an ocean.
The island is surrounded by ocean
Continent
(obsolete) Land (as opposed to the water).
Ocean
(figuratively) An immense expanse; any vast space or quantity without apparent limits.
The boundless ocean of eternity
An ocean of difference
Continent
Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or defecation.
Ocean
A blue colour, like that of the ocean (also called ocean blue).
Continent
Not interrupted; connected; continuous.
A continent fever
Ocean
The whole body of salt water which covers more than three fifths of the surface of the globe; - called also the sea, or great sea.
Like the odor of brine from the oceanComes the thought of other years.
Continent
(obsolete) Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.
Ocean
One of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is regarded as divided, as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic oceans.
Continent
Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.
Ocean
An immense expanse; any vast space or quantity without apparent limits; as, the boundless ocean of eternity; an ocean of affairs.
You're gonna need an oceanOf calamine lotion.
Continent
Exercising restraint as to the indulgence of desires or passions; temperate; moderate.
Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower.
Ocean
Of or pertaining to the main or great sea; as, the ocean waves; an ocean stream.
Continent
Abstaining from sexual intercourse; exercising restraint upon the sexual appetite; esp., abstaining from illicit sexual intercourse; chaste.
My past life
Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true,
As I am now unhappy.
Ocean
A large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
Continent
Not interrupted; connected; continuous; as, a continent fever.
The northeast part of Asia is, if not continent with the west side of America, yet certainly it is the least disoined by sea of all that coast.
Ocean
Anything apparently limitless in quantity or volume
Continent
That which contains anything; a receptacle.
The smaller continent which we call a pipkin.
Ocean
One of the five primary saltwater expanses on Earth.
The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest ocean.
Continent
One of the grand divisions of land on the globe; the main land; specifically (Phys. Geog.), a large body of land differing from an island, not merely in its size, but in its structure, which is that of a large basin bordered by mountain chains; as, the continent of North America.
Ocean
A deep and broad expanse of saline water.
The mysteries of the deep ocean are still being discovered.
Continent
One of the large landmasses of the earth;
There are seven continents
Pioneers had to cross the continent on foot
Continent
The European mainland;
Englishmen like to visit the Continent but they wouldn't like to live there
Continent
Having control over urination and defecation
Continent
Abstaining from sexual intercourse;
Celibate priests
Continent
A vast land area distinct from islands.
Africa is a continent rich in cultural and ecological diversity.
Continent
A region distinguished by its geography and culture.
The Australian continent is characterized by its unique wildlife.
Common Curiosities
How many oceans are there?
There are five primary oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.
Which is the largest continent?
Asia is the largest continent by both area and population.
What percentage of Earth is covered by oceans?
Oceans cover about 71% of Earth's surface.
Why is the ocean salty?
Salt in the ocean comes from rocks on land and Earth's crustal processes.
What role do oceans play in climate?
Oceans regulate global climate by distributing heat and influencing weather patterns.
Which continent has the most countries?
Africa, with 54 recognized countries, has the most nations.
Can continents move?
Yes, due to plate tectonics, continents drift over time.
How are continents defined?
Continents are typically defined by their tectonic plates, geography, and sometimes cultural factors.
What is a continent?
A continent is a large, continuous landmass on Earth.
Which is the smallest continent?
Australia is often considered the smallest continent.
What's the deepest part of any ocean?
The Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean is the deepest known point.
Are there undiscovered lands on any continent?
While most lands are mapped, some remote areas in continents like Antarctica remain less explored.
Can oceans be freshwater?
No, oceans are saline; freshwater bodies are lakes, rivers, and ponds.
How do oceans affect weather?
Oceans influence weather by transferring heat and moisture to the atmosphere.
How do continents and oceans interact?
They interact through coastal processes, weather patterns, and the movement of tectonic plates.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Film vs. Cinema
Next Comparison
Bed vs. BeddingAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
