Each of us at a geography lesson once encountered the need to define what a peninsula is. We will consider this definition in detail, discuss the types of peninsulas and interesting facts that we know today.
Islands and Peninsulas
An island is a part of the land surrounded by water on all sides, which is located above sea level. One of the most interesting islands is Rene Levasser, located in Canada. It is unique in that it is located in the center of Lake Manikuagan, right in the middle of the mainland. It can be seen even from space.
What is a peninsula? A definition from 7th grade geography states that it is part of a protruding continent surrounded by water on three sides. That is, the peninsula in most cases has a one-way connection with the mainland. The size of the peninsula is a conditional concept. The small peninsula is sometimes called the cape. But most often the peninsulas are quite impressive in size.
Distinguish the peninsula by origin
The indigenous group includes the following:
- The severed peninsulas. They are a continuation of land, part of the mainland. For example, the Apennine. Its area is 131,337 km². Most of it is Italy.
- Affiliated. Geologically, these areas do not belong to the mainland and are an independent part of the land, which "moored" to the shore and firmly settled there. A vivid example of such a neighborhood is the Hindustan Peninsula. It is located in Asia, on its territory are spread such states as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. In fact, it is a fragment of Gondwana - the ancient continent, the collapse of which formed Australia, South America, Africa, Antarctica.
There is also a separate group - accumulative peninsulas. What is accumulative? They are formed in rivers and lakes due to the creation of a lintel from lake and river sediments, which combine part of the mainland with the island. In this way, the Buzachi Peninsula was formed in the Caspian Sea.
The largest peninsula in the world
Now that we have considered the definition of what the peninsula is, let us move on to the description of the largest of them. This is the Arabian Peninsula, whose area is approximately 2730 square meters. At the same time, its exact area cannot be calculated, because it is not known where the mainland ends and the peninsula begins. It is the largest in the world.
Most of it is spread over Saudi Arabia, and the remaining territory is occupied by such small countries as Yemen, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The southern regions of Iraq and Jordan are also located here.
The peninsula (the definition from geography of what the peninsula is described above) is considered the place where the Islamic faith has found its life. It contains the most famous shrines of the Muslim world - Mecca and Medina.
In the middle of summer, abnormal heat reigns here, which does not allow you to go outside at noon. The maximum reading is +55 ° C. Moreover, no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls annually. Arabia is one of the driest places in the world.
Interesting facts about the peninsulas of the world
Here are the most interesting facts about the large islands of our Earth.
1. Western Antarctica, or the Antarctic Peninsula, is the second largest after the Arabian Peninsula. It is absolutely unsuitable for human life. It is so cold here that if you throw a piece of steel on ice, it will shatter. There are no seasons on the peninsula either - scientists live following the time of their homeland. Only 10 mm of precipitation falls annually. At the same time, 70% of the fresh water of the entire planet is stored in ice.
2. The Iberian Peninsula is one of the largest. Located in southwestern Europe. It has 3 states - Spain, Portugal and Andorra (as well as British possession - Gibraltar). It is also called Iberian - from the name of the ancient Iberian people who lived here before the Romans chose the territory.
3. Crimea, the peninsula of Eurasia, is one of the most unique on the planet. Only 100 years ago he was called more poetically - Tavrida. Homer mentioned the peninsula in the poem "Odyssey", which dates from the 9th-11th centuries BC. Presumably, in one of the Crimean caves there was an odyssey meeting with cannibalistic giants. This cave is today considered one of the most mysterious in the Crimea. The ancient Greeks called it the Harbor of Omen.
4. Labrador. That such a peninsula exists is not known to everyone. Meanwhile, it is quite large - its area is 1.6 million km 2 . Located in Canada. It was named after the Portuguese navigator, but many associate it with a large breed of dog. The climate here is mild, winters are humid, and summers are cool. But in the north in the summer, the temperature is on average -7 degrees.
5. The Apennine Peninsula is known for having the Apennine mountain range that crosses it exactly in the middle. It resembles the spine of the peninsula, dividing the area into eastern and western parts.
Finally
Of course, this is not all the peninsulas that deserve attention. Our planet Earth is so huge that it is really endless to talk about all its geographical features.