Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia and Greenland are often compared due to their similarities in geographical isolation, yet they are classified differently as a continent and an island, respectively. This classification is based on several factors, including size, population, geology, and cultural identity. While both are large landmasses surrounded by water, Australia is nearly four times larger than Greenland, which is a significant differentiating factor. Additionally, Australia sits on its own tectonic plate, the Australian Plate, making it more self-contained and geologically distinct. Greenland, on the other hand, shares the North American tectonic plate with Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The local perception of identity also plays a role, as Greenlanders largely identify as islanders, while many Australians consider their land a continent. These various factors contribute to the classification of Australia as a continent and Greenland as an island.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Australia: 22 million; Greenland: 57 thousand |
| Inhabitants' beliefs | Greenlanders consider themselves islanders; Australians believe they live on an island and a continent |
| Tectonic plate | Greenland: North American; Australia: Australian |
| Size | Greenland: 2.16 million sq. km; Australia: 7.75 million sq. km |
| Flora and fauna | Greenland shares fauna with Canada, such as reindeer, polar bears and arctic foxes; Australia has unique flora and fauna, including kangaroos, wombats and Tasmanian devils |
| Culture | Greenland is considered part of North American arctic culture; Australia has a unique culture, historically Aboriginal and now more "Western" |
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What You'll Learn
Tectonic plates
In the case of Australia and Greenland, their classification as a continent and an island, respectively, can be attributed to several factors, including size, biodiversity, and the presence of distinct tectonic plates. Australia, despite its isolated position in the ocean, is considered a continent due to its size, unique flora and fauna, and its location on the Australian tectonic plate. On the other hand, Greenland, while being the largest island in the world, is part of the North American tectonic plate and is significantly smaller than Australia.
The concept of tectonic plates provides a geological perspective to the classification of landmasses. Tectonic plates are massive slabs of solid rock that make up the Earth's lithosphere, which is the outermost layer of our planet. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them, and their movement drives various geological processes, including the formation of continents and islands.
The Australian continent sits on the Australian Plate, which is a separate tectonic plate. This tectonic independence is a crucial factor in classifying Australia as a continent. The size and diversity of Australia further strengthen its status as a continent. Australia is nearly four times larger than Greenland, and it exhibits a variety of climates, animals, and plants, contributing to its continental designation.
On the other hand, Greenland is part of the North American tectonic plate. It is not geologically separate from the continents of North America and Eurasia. While Greenland has unique characteristics, such as its own flora and fauna, these similarities to the flora and fauna of North America contribute to its classification as an island rather than a continent. Additionally, the local perception of Greenlanders plays a role, as they predominantly consider themselves islanders rather than continental dwellers.
In summary, the classification of Australia as a continent and Greenland as an island is influenced by a combination of factors, including the underlying tectonic plates, size, biodiversity, cultural uniqueness, and local perception. The unique characteristics of each landmass, shaped by tectonic activity, contribute to their distinct classifications in the context of continents and islands.
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Size
Although there are no official conditions that a region of land must meet to be considered a continent, size is one of the factors that differentiate a continent from an island.
Australia is roughly 7.75 million square kilometres (about 3 million square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world. Greenland, on the other hand, is just over 2.16 million square kilometres (834,000 square miles), making it the twelfth-largest country in the world. This means that Australia is more than three times the size of Greenland.
While both are large landmasses surrounded by water, Australia is considered too big to be an island. As one source puts it, "once a landmass reaches a certain size, calling it a continent just makes more sense".
However, size is not the only factor that determines whether a landmass is considered a continent or an island. For example, some people argue that Australia could be considered the "largest island", as it meets the basic definition of being a large piece of land surrounded by water.
Furthermore, maps can be misleading when it comes to the size of Greenland. On a map, Greenland appears to be the same size as Africa, but in reality, Africa is 14 times bigger.
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Population
While there is no strict scientific definition of a continent, several factors determine whether a landmass is considered a continent or an island. These include the size of the landmass, its unique traits, and the local belief in its continental status.
The population of Australia, the smallest continent, is over 22 million, making it the 55th most populous nation in the world. In contrast, Greenland, the largest island, has a population of just over 57,000, making it the 205th most populous nation.
The population of Australia is highly urbanised, with the country having the world's 14th-largest economy and the ninth-largest immigrant population. Melbourne, for example, is multicultural, boasting the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe and the second-largest Asian population in Australia after Sydney.
In contrast, Greenland is the least densely populated country in the world. Historically, it has been home mainly to indigenous Inuit populations and Danish settlers.
Therefore, while population size does not determine whether a landmass is considered a continent or an island, it does contribute to a landmass's uniqueness and diversity. Australia's large and diverse population, in contrast to Greenland's small and relatively homogeneous population, further distinguishes the continent of Australia from the island of Greenland.
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Unique flora and fauna
Australia and Greenland are classified differently due to their unique traits. One of the key distinctions between the two is their distinct flora and fauna.
Australia has a rich biodiversity, with many unique animals found nowhere else in the world, such as kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses. This is due to Australia's isolation from other landmasses for millions of years, allowing these unique species to evolve.
On the other hand, Greenland shares many of its flora and fauna with other regions, particularly Canada. For example, Greenland's fauna, such as reindeer, polar bears, and arctic foxes, can also be found in Canada. Greenland does have fifteen unique species of plants, but compared to Australia, a larger percentage of Australia's plant species are found exclusively there.
Another factor to consider is the human population and their cultural beliefs. Aboriginal people are unique to Australia, contributing to its cultural uniqueness. In contrast, indigenous Greenlanders belong to the Inuit group found throughout the Arctic regions of Canada, the United States, and Russia.
Therefore, the distinction between Australia and Greenland as a continent and an island, respectively, is influenced not only by their unique flora and fauna but also by their cultural and anthropological differences.
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Local belief
Although there are no official conditions that a region must meet to be considered a continent, local belief is one of several largely accepted factors that classify different regions of the world as continents.
While Greenland does have its own culture, it is considered part of the larger North American arctic culture. Greenlanders do not, for the most part, believe that they live on a continent. They consider themselves islanders. These definitions are shaky, however.
On the other hand, locals in Australia consider themselves to live on both an island and a continent, fulfilling the criterion of local belief in continental status.
In addition to local belief, other factors that contribute to the classification of a region as a continent include tectonic independence from other continents, unique flora and fauna, cultural uniqueness, and size.
Australia meets several of these conditions. Australia rests on its own tectonic plate called the Australian Plate. It has a unique flora and fauna, with native animals like kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils that are unlike any others in the world. Australia’s historic aboriginal culture is also somewhat unique. Currently, the country is more “Western” in ideology than most other countries in the South Pacific region, making it a unique culture in its area.
While Greenland is the largest island in the world, it sits on the North American tectonic plate and is much smaller than Australia. Although Greenland has fifteen unique species of plants, its fauna, such as reindeer, polar bears, and arctic foxes, can also be found elsewhere, such as in Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is considered a continent because it sits on its own tectonic plate, known as the Australian Plate. Tectonic independence from other continents is one of the largely accepted factors that classify different regions of the world as continents. Australia is also nearly four times the size of Greenland, which is another reason why it is considered a continent.
Greenland is considered an island because it is not tectonically independent—it sits on the North American tectonic plate. Greenlanders also do not, for the most part, believe that they live on a continent. They consider themselves islanders.
Australia and Greenland have quite a few features in common. People living in both countries largely live along the coast due to nearly uninhabitable land covering each of the countries—in Greenland, the natural barrier is an ice cap, while in Australia it’s a desert. However, Australia has a variety of climates, animals, and plants, and is nearly four times the size of Greenland.
There are no official conditions that each continent has to meet. However, there are several largely accepted factors that classify different regions of the world as continents. These factors include tectonic independence from other continents, unique flora and fauna, cultural uniqueness, and local belief in continental status.
