Subcontinent

As subcontinent a large, continuous part of a continent is called, which is geographically well separated and therefore as a self-contained unit can be considered. This geographic definition has its origin in the geological history of the areas concerned and may be given by a mountain range or a land bridge.

Examples

In common parlance, the term is used primarily for the Indian subcontinent, which is separated from the rest of Asia through a series of highlands and mountain ranges, including the Himalayas. These mountains were formed when India after a long time as a little continent collided with Eurasia during the Paleogene.

Depending on the definition of the term continent of Europe is also seen as a subcontinent or peninsula in the west of Eurasia. The geographic scope is here only in the south with the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caucasus and the Caspian Sea clear. To the east represent the Ural Mountains as a means Mountains and the Ural River no barrier which would justify a distinction according to the pattern of India ( see also Inner Eurasian border).

Will North America and South America is not counted as a separate continents, then they are considered sub-continents of America, which are connected by the isthmus of Central America.

Also Westantarktika, although it is an island chain in the ice-free state can be defined as a subcontinent of the Antarctic continent for the West Antarctic ice sheet by the time and the Transantarctic Mountains.