World Geography — Continents, Oceans and Important Countries

Overview

World Geography forms a foundational segment of Social Studies in Bihar TET Paper II. Questions typically test factual recall — largest/smallest continents, deepest oceans, important countries and their features. This topic connects directly to map-based questions and comparative geography of India.

For Bihar TET, expect 2–4 questions from this area, often combined with physical geography concepts. Mastery requires memorising key facts about the seven continents, five oceans, and approximately 15–20 important countries. The examiner favours superlatives (largest, smallest, longest, highest) and location-based questions.

Students who know the basic framework of world geography find it easier to contextualise Indian geography and answer comparative questions. This topic also builds general awareness useful across competitive exams.

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Key Concepts

• **Seven Continents by Size (descending):** Asia → Africa → North America → South America → Antarctica → Europe → Australia. Remember the mnemonic: "All Are Now Settled And Enjoying Australia."

• **Five Oceans by Size (descending):** Pacific → Atlantic → Indian → Southern (Antarctic) → Arctic. Pacific Ocean alone covers more area than all landmasses combined.

• **Continental Distribution:** Asia and Europe form a single landmass called Eurasia but are treated as separate continents due to cultural and historical reasons. The Ural Mountains, Ural River and Caucasus Mountains form the boundary.

• **Hemispheres:** Equator divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Prime Meridian divides it into Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Most landmass lies in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.

• **Landlocked Countries:** Nations without sea access (e.g., Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, Switzerland). Africa has the most landlocked countries (16).

• **Island Countries:** Nations entirely on islands — Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, New Zealand.

• **Transcontinental Countries:** Countries spanning two continents — Russia (Europe-Asia), Turkey (Europe-Asia), Egypt (Africa-Asia).

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Formulas / Key Facts

### Continents — Must-Know Data

| Continent | Area (million km²) | Population Rank | Key Feature | |-----------|-------------------|-----------------|-------------| | Asia | 44.6 | 1st (60% of world) | Largest continent; highest point (Mt Everest) | | Africa | 30.4 | 2nd | Hottest continent; Sahara is largest hot desert | | North America | 24.7 | 4th | Contains Grand Canyon; Great Lakes | | South America | 17.8 | 5th | Amazon — largest rainforest and river by volume | | Antarctica | 14.0 | Uninhabited | Coldest, driest, windiest; 70% of freshwater | | Europe | 10.2 | 3rd | Most developed; smallest continent after Australia | | Australia/Oceania | 8.5 | 6th | Only continent that is also a country |