Only Three, Not Seven Poem by Paul Hartal

"There are seven continents on Earth", said the Porcupine.

"No, there are only three", said the Octopus.

"Oh, come on! Count them for yourself", said the Porcupine:
"Africa, Australia, Antarctica, Asia, Europe,
North America and South America. These make seven
continents. In my book at least."

"Oh, this is only because you have been educated in the US",
said the Octopus. "In different countries they count them
differently. In France, for example, North and South America
are considered to be one single continent as they form
a continuous land mass. Furthermore, Antarctica is not
viewed as a continent because people don't live there.
Thus, for the French there exist only five continents, not seven."

"But, according to you at least, we have only three continents",
said the Porcupine.

"Yes, because by consistent scientific criteria based on
continuous land mass, the two Americas represent
one continent and so do Europe, Asia and Africa.
By another scientific criterion, the demographic principle,
Antarctica does not count as a continent
because it is uninhabited by humans."

"Now, wait a minute", objected the Porcupine.
"Africa does not have a continuous land mass with Asia.
It is separated by the Suez Canal."

"The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway dug through
The Isthmus of Suez", explained the Octopus. "It does
not really divide Africa from Asia. Thus, as I said,
we have only three continents on Earth."