If Australia a Small Continent or a large Island?

[Rhondazvous]

I would think the fact that Australia sits on its own tectonic plate classifies it as a continent. Yet, by that definition, India should also be considered a continent, while Europe, with shares the Eurasian tectonic plate with Asia, should not.

It appear then that continental status is based more on politics and culture than empirical science.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

You’re perfectly correct. What we think of as a ‘continent’ is largely a matter of tradition.

Boru

[The Valkyrie]

Island continent.

[Pat Mustard]

I would think the fact that Australia sits on its own tectonic plate classifies it as a continent. Yet, by that definition, India should also be considered a continent, while Europe, with shares the Eurasian tectonic plate with Asia, should not.

It appear then that continental status is based more on politics and culture than empirical science.

What is this Australia of which you speak?

[The Valkyrie]

I would think the fact that Australia sits on its own tectonic plate classifies it as a continent. Yet, by that definition, India should also be considered a continent, while Europe, with shares the Eurasian tectonic plate with Asia, should not.

It appear then that continental status is based more on politics and culture than empirical science.

What is this Australia of which you speak?

WTF??

It's the land that gave the world Paul Hogan, Cold Chisel, Hugh Jackman and, more importantly, me!

Alas poor Wololo, what a terrible demise he faces...

[Brian37]

I would think the fact that Australia sits on its own tectonic plate classifies it as a continent. Yet, by that definition, India should also be considered a continent, while Europe, with shares the Eurasian tectonic plate with Asia, should not.

It appear then that continental status is based more on politics and culture than empirical science.

LESS FILLING, TASTES GREAT

FORD VS CHEVY

COWBOYS VS REDSKINS.

Just being silly. I think the reality is outside science itself, it is considered both an island and a continent. It is an oddity sure. I say it is both at the same time. 

I do know having visited it is a fucking pain in the ass using the toilet upside down. That shit gets messy.

[Peebothuhlu]

Well... it's pretty much also flat.

As well as fekkin' hot.

Uhm... yeah, I got nithin'.

Not at work.

[Minimalist]

I heard a rumor that Australia is incontinent.


<ducks>  <runs>

[Brian37]

But if you want someone to settle the argument and piss off one side, get Neil Degresse Tyson to weigh in on it. The world was pissed at him for pointing out that Pluto was a dwarf planet. Irony is he didn't vote on the official final finding, he simply pointed out the parameters. But damn man, the world gave him a shitload of hate mail over it. 

I don't think you can please either side of the Australia argument in layman's terms, anymore than you can please Pluto fans.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

The ‘continent’ is Australasia (encompassing New Zealand and some of the islands in the South Pacific outside of Polynesia) and the ‘country’ is Australia. I didn’t know Australasia had its own Olympic flag according to the wiki page, interesting!

Also, India is actually classed as a sub-continent already in many cultural/geographical classifications:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_subcontinent