Sources
Every figure on Continenten.com can be traced back to a recognised data source. Below is a complete overview of all sources we use, with names, edition years and direct links.
Population figures are updated annually and are consistent across all pages — from the continents overview to the comparison page. Land areas and country counts are based on the most recent edition of the CIA World Factbook. The full source list is below.
Overview of data sources
| Source | Used for | Year |
|---|---|---|
| UN — World Population Prospects | Population figures by continent and country | 2024 |
| Worldometer | Current population estimates by country | 2025 |
| CIA World Factbook | Land areas, country data, geography | 2025 |
| IUCN Red List | Conservation status of animal species | 2024 |
| Köppen-Geiger climate classification | Climate zones by continent and region | 2023 |
| NOAA / IHO | Ocean boundaries and surface areas | 2023 |
| IANA Time Zone Database | Time zone boundaries and UTC offsets | 2025 |
Royal Observatory Greenwich — historical reference for the prime meridian and GMT.
Notes on the figures
Population figures are estimates. The UN publishes a new edition of the World Population Prospects every year, and Worldometer continuously updates its counters on the basis of national statistics. The figures on Continenten.com are based on the most recent available edition and are synchronised with each annual update.
For climate classifications we use the Köppen-Geiger system, the most widely used international standard. Ocean boundaries follow the definition of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which recognises a fifth ocean — the Southern Ocean. More about the oceans is on the oceans page.
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