A vast expanse of land on Earth, typically recognized as one of the major landmasses such as Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica.
A landmass that is seen from a specific geographical or cultural perspective, often referring to the Asian continent when viewed from Japan, particularly in relation to China.
A large terrestrial area characterized by significant temperature variations between day and night or between seasons, distinguishing it from areas influenced by oceans.
Example:
アフリカは大陸であるが、グリーンランドはそうではない。
A term historically used to refer to Africa, highlighting the mysterious and unexplored nature of its interior regions, which contributed to a lack of understanding and knowledge about its geography and cultures.
A colloquial name for Africa, reflecting the perception of the continent as a place of darkness due to limited knowledge, cultural misunderstandings, and the challenges faced in its societal development during certain historical periods.
An expression that embodies the idea of a continent shrouded in uncertainty and ignorance, often associated with colonial narratives and the depiction of Africa as a place lacking civilization or enlightenment.
Example:
アフリカはかつて、暗黒大陸と呼ばれた。
A submerged landmass that extends from a continent, characterized by a gently sloping sea floor reaching depths of about 200 meters, often rich in marine resources and biodiversity.
An area of the ocean adjacent to a continent where the seabed gradually descends, typically defined legally by international conventions as extending up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline or further along the continental margin.
A geological feature that represents the transition zone between terrestrial and oceanic environments, supporting a diverse array of marine life and frequently serving as a productive fishing ground.
A large, icy continent centered around the South Pole, primarily covered in thick ice and snow, with a unique ecosystem that includes animals such as seals and penguins, as well as hardy plant life like mosses and lichens in exposed coastal areas.
An expansive, elevated landmass that experiences extreme cold, characterized by its vast glacial landscapes, which hosts both wildlife and limited vegetation primarily along its coasts.
The southernmost continent on Earth, distinguished by its extensive ice sheets and harsh climate, serving as a critical location for scientific research and studies on climate change and ecosystems.
Example:
さまざまな艱難辛苦を乗り越え、彼は南極大陸単独横断を成し遂げた。
A scientific theory proposing that the continents are not fixed but instead move across the Earth's surface, altering their positions over geological time. This concept originated with Alfred Wegener, who suggested that continents were once joined together and have since drifted apart.
The explanation for the shifting positions of Earth's continents, supported by various geological and paleontological evidence, indicating that they were once united in a single landmass before forming their current layout.
A geophysical hypothesis that contemplates the dynamic movement of landmasses, detailing how they have separated and rearranged throughout Earth's history, leading to the present distribution of continents.