Landmass

A landmass, or land mass, is a large region or area of land that is in one piece and not noticeably broken up by oceans. The term is often used to describe lands surrounded by an ocean or sea, such as a continent or a large island. In the field of geology, a landmass is a defined section of continental crust extending above sea level.

Continents are often thought of as distinct landmasses and may include any islands that are part of the associated continental shelf. When multiple continents form a single contiguous land connection, they may be viewed as one landmass. Earth’s largest landmasses are (starting with the largest): Afro-Eurasia, Americas, Antarctica, and Mainland Australia. These landmasses cover most of the planet's land and play a vital role in shaping the world’s climate, animals, and plants.

Continental landmasses

A landmass is a large area of land that is connected and not split up by oceans. It is often used to describe lands that are surrounded by water, like continents or big islands. In geology, a landmass is part of the Earth's crust that rises above sea level.