Continents by Area – Identify the Second Largest Considering total land area, which continent is the second largest in the world?

Introduction / Context:
Knowing the rank of continents by area is a staple of world geography. This helps contextualize population distribution, resource endowments, and regional blocs in global affairs and economics.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Asia is the largest continent by area.
• We must identify the next (second) largest.
• We use the conventional seven-continent model.

Concept / Approach:
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent by land area, following Asia. It surpasses North America and South America individually and is vastly larger than Europe and Australia/Oceania. This ranking is consistent across atlases and statistical references.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard statistical yearbooks confirm Africa’s area (~30 million km^2) second only to Asia (~44 million km^2).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Asia: Largest, not second.
• Australia: Smallest continent.
• Europe: Considerably smaller than Africa.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing continental rankings with those of subcontinents or large countries; continents are vastly larger units.

Final Answer:
Africa