Copper Bezel wrote:any system that separates Eurasia but not the Americas is just being obtuse for obtuseness' sake.
That's pretty insulting and doesn't make sense, either.
I could also say: Any system that counts South $continent and North $continent as two separate continents even though that's clearly one continent is obtuse for obtuseness' sake.
Additional reason why it doesn't make sense: A system that separates Eurasia into Europe and Asia has already proven that "separated by water" is not the defining criterion for continents, so why should any water, in particular artificial water, be that demarcation line between North and South America and make them into two separate continents? Also, does this mean the British Isles, or any islands (e.g. large parts of Denmark, or Crete) are not part of Europe?
To say it differently: continents are clearly a social construct. Something something historical reasons something something.
Derek wrote:Right? The only real distinction between Europe and Asia is cultural, the geographic borders that are drawn between them are extremely vague and usually just follow some obscure mountain ranges. North and South America aren't even connected by land anymore.
Same question to you: Does this mean the British Isles, or any islands (e.g. large parts of Denmark, or Crete) are not part of Europe? Is Japan not part of Asia? Are Australia and New Zealand separate continents? Is Madagascar not part of Africa?
Panama is in Central America. Tell me: Is Central America part of the North American continent or part of the South American continent or split or neither? I looked at the Americas articles, Panama and Panama Canal articles on the English-speaking Wikipedia and could not immediately find a clear answer where the border between North and South America is, specifically it does not say the Panama Canal is that border.
But something more interesting than continental bickering: when you go by boat/ship through the Panama Canal from West to East, are you in the Pacific or the Atlantic? You're in the Pacific. Really, look at it on a map.