Among the seven continents in the world, one is the biggest by land size and population. The world's largest contains more than 40 countries.

Among the seven continents in the world, one is the biggest by land size and population. The world's largest contains more than 40 countries.

If you are looking at a traditional world map, you won't get an accurate idea of the size of the seven continents; depicting a sphere onto a flat surface means that something will end up distorted.

The fourth-largest continent is approximately 17,8400,000 sq km (6,890,000 sq mi). Hundreds of millions live in South America, with São Paulo, Bogotá and Lima among the most populous cities.

The continent with the most countries may surprise some, but it proves that size alone does not define diversity.