Continents of the World MCQs — Area, Population & Geography Facts
80+ solved Continents of the World MCQs — 7 continents by area & population, highest/lowest points, world population 2026 & fathers of geography for PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS & PMS.
The world has 7 continents.
Asia is the largest continent (~44 million km²).
Australia is the smallest continent (~7.7 million km²).
Asia is the most populous continent (~58.74% of world pop).
Antarctica is the least populated (3,000–5,000 researchers).
Asia covers about 29.5% of Earth’s land.
Africa covers about 20% of Earth’s land.
Africa is the 2nd-largest continent.
Antarctica covers about 9.6% of Earth’s land.
Asia has the highest density (~156/km²).
Mount Everest (8,848.86 m) is Earth’s highest point.
Everest’s official height = 8,848.86 m (2020 survey).
Dead Sea shore (−396.8 m) is the lowest land point on Earth.
Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) is Africa’s highest peak.
Lake Assal (Djibouti, −156.1 m) is Africa’s lowest point.
Denali / McKinley (Alaska, 6,190 m) is N. America’s highest peak.
Death Valley (−85.9 m) is N. America’s lowest point.
Aconcagua (6,960 m) is S. America’s highest peak.
Valdés Peninsula (Argentina, −39.9 m) is S. America’s lowest point.
Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) is Europe’s highest peak.
Caspian Sea (−28 m) is Europe’s lowest point.
Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) is Australia’s highest mainland peak.
Vinson Massif (4,897 m) is Antarctica’s highest peak.
Bentley Subglacial Trench (−2,555 m) — Antarctica’s deepest point.
Eratosthenes is the Father of Geography.
Anaximander created the first world map.
Alexander von Humboldt is the Father of Modern Geography.
Vidal de la Blache is the Father of Human Geography.
Alexander von Humboldt = Father of Environmental Geography.
Carl O. Sauer = Father of Cultural Geography.
Friedrich Ratzel = Father of Political Geography.
Alfred Russel Wallace = Father of Zoogeography.
George Chisholm = Father of Economic Geography.
World population (Dec 2025) = ~8.27 billion.
India overtook China as world’s most populous in 2023.
India holds about 17.8% of world population.
China holds about 17.2% of world population.
Pakistan holds about 3.22% of world population.
China + India together = ~35% of world population.
Asia hosts ~58.74% of world population.
World population growth rate (2025) = 0.85%/year.
World population grows by ~70 million/year.
Jakarta (~42 million) has surpassed Tokyo as world’s largest city.
World population reached 8 billion in 2022.
World population projected to reach 10 billion in 2060.
Nigeria (~239 m) is Africa’s most populous country.
Russia (~143 m) is Europe’s most populous country.
Cairo (~19.4 m) is Africa’s most populous city.
Moscow (~14.9 m) is Europe’s most populous city.
São Paulo (~20 m) is S. America’s most populous city.
Mexico City (~21.8 m) is N. America’s most populous city.
Sydney (~4.6 m) is Oceania’s most populous city.
Oceania has the lowest density (~5/km²) among populated continents.
Africa = ~18.83% of world population (2nd most populous).
Europe = ~9.14% of world population.
N. America = ~4.71% of world population.
Oceania = ~0.57% of world population.
USA (~348 m) is N. America’s most populous country.
Brazil (~213 m) is S. America’s most populous country.
Australia (~27 m) is Oceania’s most populous country.
China (~1.47 bn) is Asia’s most populous country.
Antarctica has no permanent population — only research stations.
Antarctica & Australia are entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
Africa is crossed by both the Equator and the Prime Meridian.
Antarctica is the ‘Frozen Continent’ — ~98% ice-covered.
Africa was historically called the ‘Dark Continent’.
Asia + Europe = Eurasia (largest contiguous landmass).
Africa + Eurasia = Afro-Eurasia.
Suez Canal separates Africa from Asia (Mediterranean ↔ Red Sea).
Panama connects North & South America (Isthmus of Panama).
Urals + Caucasus form the Europe-Asia boundary.
The Americas are called the ‘New World’.
The Sahara is in Africa — the world’s largest hot desert.
The Amazon Rainforest is in South America.
The Gobi Desert is in Asia (China & Mongolia).
The Nile flows through Africa.
The Caspian Sea borders 5 countries.
Mount Erebus is Antarctica’s highest active volcano.
Africa has the most countries (54).
McMurdo Station has a population of ~955 (largest in Antarctica).
How many continents are there in the world?
There are 7 continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia/Oceania.
Which is the largest continent in the world by area?
Asia covers ~43,998,000 km² — about 29.5% of Earth's land area — making it the largest continent.
Which is the smallest continent by area?
Australia, at ~7,699,000 km² (about 5.2% of Earth's land), is the smallest continent.
Which is the most populous continent?
Asia hosts ~4.83 billion people — about 58.74% of the world's population — by far the most populous.
Which is the least populated continent (excluding research stations)?
Antarctica has only 3,000–5,000 temporary residents (scientists/researchers) at any time — by far the least populated.
Which continent covers about 29.5% of Earth's land area?
Asia, at 29.5% of Earth's land area, is by far the largest continent.
What percentage of Earth's land area is covered by Africa?
Africa is the second-largest continent at about 20% of Earth's land area (~29.8 million km²).
Which is the second-largest continent by area?
Africa is the second-largest continent at ~29.8 million km².
Approximately how much of Earth's land area does Antarctica cover?
Antarctica covers about 9.6% of Earth's land area (~13.6 million km²) — the fifth-largest continent.
Which continent has the highest population density?
Asia has the highest population density at ~156 inhabitants per km².
Which is the highest point on Earth?
Mount Everest in the Himalayas (Asia) is the highest point on Earth at 8,848.86 m (2020 China-Nepal survey).
What is the official height of Mount Everest as per the 2020 China-Nepal survey?
The 2020 joint China-Nepal survey set Everest's official height at 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft) — an upward revision from the older 8,850 m figure.
Which is the lowest point on Earth's land surface?
The Dead Sea shore (between Jordan and Israel) at −396.8 m is the lowest land point on Earth.
What is the highest peak in Africa?
Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in Tanzania is the highest point in Africa and the world's tallest free-standing mountain.
What is the lowest point in Africa?
Lake Assal in Djibouti at −156.1 m is the lowest point in Africa and the third-lowest land point on Earth.
What is the highest peak in North America?
Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) in Alaska at 6,190 m is the highest peak in North America. Its name was changed back to McKinley in 2025.
What is the lowest point in North America?
Death Valley (Badwater Basin) in California at −85.9 m is the lowest point in North America.
What is the highest peak in South America?
Mount Aconcagua (6,960 m) in Argentina is the highest peak in South America — and the highest outside Asia.
What is the lowest point in South America?
Laguna del Carbón on the Valdés Peninsula (Argentina) at −39.9 m is the lowest point in South America.
What is the highest peak in Europe?
Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia is the highest peak in Europe. Mont Blanc (4,810 m) is the highest in Western Europe.
What is the lowest point in Europe?
The Caspian Sea at −28 m is the lowest point in Europe.
What is the highest point on mainland Australia?
Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) in New South Wales is the highest peak on mainland Australia.
What is the highest peak in Antarctica?
Vinson Massif (4,897 m) in the Ellsworth Mountains is the highest peak in Antarctica — one of the Seven Summits.
What is the deepest point in Antarctica (below sea level on land)?
The Bentley Subglacial Trench at −2,555 m is the lowest point on Earth's land surface (covered by ice).
Who is known as the Father of Geography?
Eratosthenes (276–194 BCE), a Greek mathematician and astronomer, is known as the Father of Geography — he first used the term 'geography' and calculated Earth's circumference.
Who created the first known world map?
Anaximander, an ancient Greek philosopher, created the first known world map in the 6th century BCE.
Who is regarded as the Father of Modern Geography?
Alexander von Humboldt (Prussian polymath) is regarded as the Father of Modern Geography. Carl Ritter is also a co-founder.
Who is the Father of Human Geography?
French geographer Paul Vidal de la Blache is regarded as the Father of Human Geography.
Who is the Father of Environmental Geography?
Alexander von Humboldt is also regarded as the Father of Environmental Geography for his pioneering work on biogeography and ecological zones.
Who is the Father of Cultural Geography?
American geographer Carl O. Sauer is regarded as the Father of Cultural Geography for his landscape-and-culture approach.
Who is the Father of Political Geography?
German geographer and anthropologist Friedrich Ratzel is regarded as the Father of Political Geography.
Who is the Father of Zoogeography?
Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of natural selection, is regarded as the Father of Zoogeography for his classification of animal regions.
Who is the Father of Economic Geography?
Scottish geographer George Chisholm is regarded as the Father of Economic Geography. His 1889 'Handbook of Commercial Geography' was foundational.
What was the world population as of December 2025 (UN data)?
Per the UN, world population reached approximately 8.27 billion in December 2025 — 50.4% male, 49.6% female.
In which year did India overtake China to become the world's most populous country?
India officially overtook China as the world's most populous country in 2023, per UN data.
Approximately what percentage of the world's population does India hold?
India has approximately 17.8% of the world's population — the highest of any single country.
Approximately what percentage of the world's population does China hold?
China has approximately 17.2% of the world's population (just below India since 2023).
What is Pakistan's approximate share of world population?
Pakistan holds approximately 3.22% of the world's population, the 5th-largest country by population.
Together, China and India hold approximately what share of world population?
China (17.2%) plus India (17.8%) together account for approximately 35% of the world's total population.
Asia hosts approximately what share of world population?
Asia hosts approximately 58.74% of the world's total population — about 4.83 billion people.
What is the world population growth rate (2025)?
The world population is growing at approximately 0.85% per year in 2025 — down from 0.97% in 2020 and 1.25% in 2015.
Approximately how many people are added to the world population annually?
The world population is currently increasing by approximately 70 million people per year.
According to recent UN data, which city has surpassed Tokyo as the world's largest city?
Jakarta, Indonesia, with a population of ~42 million, has surpassed Tokyo as the world's largest city.
In what year did world population first reach 8 billion?
The UN marked 15 November 2022 as the day world population reached 8 billion. It reached 6 billion in 1999 and 7 billion in 2011.
By what year is world population projected to reach approximately 10 billion?
The UN projects the world population to reach approximately 9.2 billion in 2040, 10 billion in 2060, and 11.2 billion by 2100.
Which is the most populous country in Africa?
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country with about 239 million people.
Which is the most populous country in Europe?
Russia is Europe's most populous country with about 143 million people.
Which is the most populous city in Africa?
Cairo, Egypt, with about 19.4 million people in its metro area, is the most populous city in Africa.
Which is the most populous city in Europe?
Moscow, Russia, with about 14.9 million people, is the most populous city in Europe.
Which is the most populous city in South America?
São Paulo, Brazil, with about 20 million people, is South America's most populous city.
Which is the most populous city in North America?
Mexico City with about 21.8 million people is North America's most populous city.
Which is the most populous city in Oceania?
Sydney, Australia, with about 4.6 million people, is the most populous city in Oceania.
Which continent has the lowest population density (excl. Antarctica)?
Oceania, with about 5 inhabitants per km², has the lowest population density of any populated continent. Antarctica is even lower at 0.0003.
Africa's share of world population is approximately:
Africa is the second most populous continent with about 18.83% of world population (~1.55 billion).
Europe's share of world population is approximately:
Europe makes up about 9.14% of world population (~744 million).
North America's share of world population is approximately:
North America (primarily USA and Canada) makes up about 4.71% of world population (~388 million).
Oceania's share of world population is approximately:
Oceania is the least populous region with about 0.57% of world population (~46.6 million).
Which is the most populous country in North America?
The USA, with about 348 million people, is by far the most populous country in North America.
Which is the most populous country in South America?
Brazil, with about 213 million people, is the most populous country in South America.
Which is the most populous country in Oceania?
Australia, with about 27 million people, is the most populous country in Oceania.
Which is the most populous country in Asia (as of 2026)?
China remains the most populous country in Asia (~1.47 bn) — though India has overtaken it for the global #1 spot since 2023.
Which continent has NO permanent human population (only research stations)?
Antarctica has no permanent population — only 3,000-5,000 temporary scientists and staff at research stations like McMurdo (~955 people).
Which two continents are located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere?
Antarctica and Australia are the only two continents located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
Which continent is crossed by both the Equator and the Prime Meridian?
Africa is the only continent crossed by both the Equator (0° latitude) and the Prime Meridian (0° longitude).
Which continent is known as the 'Frozen Continent'?
Antarctica is known as the 'Frozen Continent' — about 98% of its surface is covered by ice up to 4 km thick.
Which continent is sometimes called the 'Dark Continent' due to its long unexplored interior?
Africa was historically called the 'Dark Continent' because its interior remained largely unexplored by Europeans until the 19th century.
Asia and Europe together form which super-landmass?
Asia and Europe together form Eurasia — the largest contiguous landmass on Earth.
Africa and Eurasia together form which landmass?
Africa + Eurasia = Afro-Eurasia — the largest land area on Earth (combined Old World).
Which natural landmark/canal separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea?
The Suez Canal in Egypt connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, effectively separating Africa from Asia.
North America and South America are connected by which country?
Panama, via the Isthmus of Panama, connects North and South America. The Panama Canal cuts through it.
The Ural Mountains and Caucasus form the conventional boundary between which two continents?
The Ural Mountains (Russia) and the Caucasus traditionally mark the boundary between Europe and Asia.
Which continent is sometimes referred to as the 'New World'?
North and South America are collectively referred to as the 'New World' — a term coined after European contact in the 15th century.
Which continent does the Sahara Desert occupy?
The Sahara — the world's largest hot desert — covers most of North Africa.
Which continent contains the world's largest tropical rainforest (Amazon)?
The Amazon Rainforest — the world's largest tropical rainforest — covers most of northern South America (chiefly Brazil).
Which continent contains the Gobi Desert?
The Gobi Desert is in Asia, spanning northern China and southern Mongolia.
Which continent does the Nile River flow through?
The Nile flows northward through 11 African countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea — traditionally considered the world's longest river.
The Caspian Sea (lowest point in Europe) borders how many countries?
The Caspian Sea is bordered by 5 countries — Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan.
Which is the highest active volcano in Antarctica?
Mount Erebus (3,794 m) on Ross Island is Antarctica's highest active volcano — one of the few in the world with a permanent lava lake.
Which continent has the most countries?
Africa has 54 sovereign countries — the most of any continent. Asia has 49; Europe ~44.
McMurdo Station — the largest research base in Antarctica — has a population of approximately:
McMurdo Station, operated by the United States, hosts about 955 people during summer — the largest research community in Antarctica.
Continents of the World — Complete Reference
Continents — their area, population, highest and lowest points — are a permanent feature of PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS, PMS, OTS, SPSC general-knowledge papers. This page covers 80+ MCQs on the seven continents (Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Australia/Oceania, Antarctica), world population data, key ‘firsts’ of geography and exam-tested facts. For broader geography practice, also try our Mountains & Plateaus MCQs and the full General Knowledge MCQs Hub.
The Seven Continents — Quick Reference
| Continent | Area (km²) | % Earth | Highest Point | Lowest Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | 43,998,000 | 29.5% | Everest (8,848.86 m) | Dead Sea (−396.8 m) |
| Africa | 29,800,000 | 20.0% | Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) | Lake Assal (−156.1 m) |
| North America | 21,510,000 | 16.3% | Denali (6,190 m) | Death Valley (−85.9 m) |
| South America | 17,598,000 | 11.8% | Aconcagua (6,960 m) | Valdés Peninsula (−39.9 m) |
| Antarctica | 13,600,000 | 9.6% | Vinson Massif (4,897 m) | Bentley Trench (−2,555 m) |
| Europe | 9,699,550 | 6.5% | Mt Elbrus (5,642 m) | Caspian Sea (−28 m) |
| Australia | 7,699,000 | 5.2% | Kosciuszko (2,228 m) | Lake Eyre (−15.8 m) |
World Population 2026 — At a Glance
| Continent | Population (Jan 2026) | % World | Most Populous Country | Most Populous City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | 4,835,320,060 | 58.74% | China (~1.47 bn) | Jakarta (42.4 m) |
| Africa | 1,549,867,579 | 18.83% | Nigeria (~239 m) | Cairo (19.4 m) |
| Europe | 744,398,832 | 9.14% | Russia (~143 m) | Moscow (14.9 m) |
| S. America | 667,888,552 | 8.11% | Brazil (~213 m) | São Paulo (20.0 m) |
| N. America | 387,528,403 | 4.71% | USA (~348 m) | Mexico City (21.8 m) |
| Oceania | 46,609,644 | 0.57% | Australia (~27 m) | Sydney (4.6 m) |
| Antarctica | 3,000–5,000 (varies) | ~0% | — | McMurdo Station (955) |
World population reached 8.27 billion as of December 2025 (UN data) — 50.4% male, 49.6% female. Annual growth rate has slowed to 0.85% in 2025 (down from 1.25% in 2015). India became the most populous country in 2023, overtaking China.
Fathers of Geography
- Father of Geography — Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician & astronomer; first to use the term ‘geography’)
- Creator of First World Map — Anaximander (ancient Greek philosopher)
- Father of Modern Geography — Alexander von Humboldt (Carl Ritter co-founder)
- Father of Environmental Geography — Alexander von Humboldt
- Father of Human Geography — Vidal de la Blache
- Father of Cultural Geography — Carl O. Sauer
- Father of Political Geography — Friedrich Ratzel
- Father of Zoogeography — Alfred Russel Wallace
- Father of Economic Geography — George Chisholm
For authoritative reading, see Wikipedia’s Continent overview and the UN World Population Prospects.
Practice More MCQs on Related Topics
Keep your prep momentum going — explore these related topics that frequently appear alongside Continents in PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS & PMS papers: