What I would like to know, Patrick, is how can you claim that Europe and Asia are separate continents, but the Americas is only one? Post Panama Canal they are separate land masses, pre-Panama canal they were far more separate than Europe and Asia which are divided by a many thousand mile mountain range. About 15 years ago I was taught, in the U.S.A., that there were 7 continents. It seems that the geography lessons change over the years and via country (my mother was taught that the Oceans were: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic. I have yet to find an Antarctic Ocean on any map (or in my studies).). angela putney [log in to unmask]