The difference between a continent and a subcontinent

[Ravi Aheri]

Key difference: The difference between a continent and a subcontinent
is that a subcontinent is a small part of a continent. A continent is
a large land mass, whose borders are defined by oceans, whereas a
subcontinent is a large, relatively self-contained landmass formed as
a subdivision of a continent.


The terms continent and subcontinent are used in similar context by
people, which can be confusing. This article helps differentiate
between the two terms.

Continent A continent is a large continuous landmass. It is a part of
the Earth. There are seven continents: Asia, Australia, Antarctica,
Africa, North America, South America and Europe. Australia and
Antarctica are the two exceptions, since both are considered as
countries as well as continents.

Continents are described by the means of tectonic plates. Plate
tectonics is the study of continental drift i.e. the movement,
collision and division of continents.

Continents are considered to be large, continuous and discrete masses
of land which are separated by the expanses of water. It is a land
mass that is divided into regions, referred to as countries which are
unequal in size. A continent is independent in nature and just a
separation by the geographical boundaries. In geology, the large area
of land is defined as continent and the large area is a reason for the
less number of continents in the Earth. Continents are home to
numerous countries in this world and countries in turn are home to
many cities and towns. The people from the same continent may have
certain similarities.

The term ‘subcontinent’ is defined as a large landmass, which is part
of a continent but is considered as an independent entity
geographically or politically. It is smaller than a continent.

Subcontinent
A subcontinent is a landmass on a separate tectonic plate, but it is
joined to a continental plate. It gets split from the rest of the
continent by something like a mountain range or by tectonic plates.
There is no agreement on what constitutes a subcontinent. It signifies
having a certain geographical or political independence from the rest
of the continent. They are apart and separated from the rest of the
continent because of their natural features like the mountains,
rivers, language, specific and different climate conditions and a
distinct cultural identity.

India is one example of a subcontinent because it is a part of the
Asian continent. Its landmass is not connected to the Asian continent
plate, thus not part of it. India is regarded as the largest nation in
South Asia and also known as the South Asian subcontinent. The term is
used culturally and politically. The phrase the Subcontinent, used on
its own in English, commonly means the Indian subcontinent i.e. South
Asia. It includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives,
Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. The region has wide geographical variations
like desert, plateau, rainforest, mountains and a myriad of languages,
races and religions.

Central America and the Middle East are also considered as
subcontinents because their culture is distinct from the rest of their
continent. Greenland is another example, which belongs to the
continent of North America.

[itfc.education]

dear Ravi sir and STF friends

thank you very much for the note distinguishing between continent and sub continent.
Perhaps you are not the author of the note. IN such a case, it would be most useful to give the source of the information. if you downloaded it from a website, do give the web address as the 'source'

Acknowledging the source/author, whenever we access materials is a good habit for STF teachers to follow.

thanks and warm regards
Guru