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Question

In terms of area, which continent is larger than Australia and smaller than Antarctica?

The correct answer is Europe

Continent Area Comparison Explained

The question asks us to identify a continent based on its geographical area. Specifically, we need to find the continent that is larger than Australia but smaller than Antarctica in terms of land area.

Understanding Continent Sizes

To answer this, let's look at the approximate land areas of the continents mentioned and the continents listed in the options. Area is measured in square kilometers (km2).

Continent Area Data

Here's a comparison of the areas:

Continent Approximate Area (in millions of km2) Area in Scientific Notation
Australia 7.6 $ \approx 7.6 \times 10^6 $ km2
Europe 10.2 $ \approx 10.2 \times 10^6 $ km2
Antarctica 14.2 $ \approx 14.2 \times 10^6 $ km2
South America 17.8 $ \approx 17.8 \times 10^6 $ km2
North America 24.7 $ \approx 24.7 \times 10^6 $ km2
Africa 30.4 $ \approx 30.4 \times 10^6 $ km2

Area Analysis for Continents

We are looking for a continent 'X' such that its area satisfies the condition:

$$ Area_{Australia} < Area_{X} < Area_{Antarctica} $$

Let's check the options against this condition using the data:

  • South America: Area is approximately $ 17.8 \times 10^6 $ km2. This is larger than Antarctica ($ 14.2 \times 10^6 $ km2), so it doesn't fit the criteria.
  • Europe: Area is approximately $ 10.2 \times 10^6 $ km2. This is larger than Australia ($ 7.6 \times 10^6 $ km2) and smaller than Antarctica ($ 14.2 \times 10^6 $ km2). So, $ 7.6 < 10.2 < 14.2 $. This fits the criteria.
  • North America: Area is approximately $ 24.7 \times 10^6 $ km2. This is larger than Antarctica, so it doesn't fit.
  • Africa: Area is approximately $ 30.4 \times 10^6 $ km2. This is larger than Antarctica, so it doesn't fit.

Conclusion on Continent Size

Based on the area comparison, Europe is the only continent among the options that is larger than Australia and smaller than Antarctica.

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Important Questions from Geography

  1. Which of the following is the closest layer to the Earth's surface in which all weather occurs?

  2. Baltic plateaux is situated in this continent:

  3. Consider the following statements 

    1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropical waters. 

    2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. 

    3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  4. Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?

  5. What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news?

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