1)      I have noticed there has been no mention of "Eurasia."  I have
never cared much for this term.  Is it used outside of the USA?

2)      With all honor and respect for my second-favorite continent,
I've often wondered how the distinction between "continent" and "island"
is made.  Based on this thread, it seems there is no hard-and-fast
definition of the c-word.

In fact, I once worked at a natural history museum which stated New
Guinea was the world's second-largest island, after Greenland.  A
visitor from Australia felt his homeland deserved the
world's-largest-island title.  I asked the staff geologist why Australia
wasn't listed as such, and he rather vaguely said "Because it's a
continent."  But when pressed for a definition, he shrugged and turned
back to his work.  Have I uncovered a vast conspiracy amongst geologists
to shroud their profession in mystery, keeping the uninitiated lay
person at arm's length?

With best wishes for a pleasant weekend (though not as nice as the ones
in Sydney, I'm sure),

-- Gene

Eugene Dillenburg
Lead Developer, Philippines Coral Reef exhibit
John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60605

V:      (312) 692-3136
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