Hawaii.
Hawaii.

Land where the palm trees sway, Pearl Harbor got attacked, along with a bunch of other
Land where the palm trees sway, Pearl Harbor got attacked, along with a bunch of other

things.
things.

But in which continent did these events happen?
But in which continent did these events happen?

What continent is Hawaii in?
What continent is Hawaii in?

Is it in North America, Oceania, America, or is it its own separate entity or part of
Is it in North America, Oceania, America, or is it its own separate entity or part of

a group of entities?
a group of entities?

If you google this question, the first thing that comes up is North America, but it’s
If you google this question, the first thing that comes up is North America, but it’s

the internet so yeah, not quite.
the internet so yeah, not quite.

Take for example French Guiana, which is a part of France that’s geographically in
Take for example French Guiana, which is a part of France that’s geographically in

South America.
South America.

There is no way anyone would ever say that French Guiana is geographically in Europe.
There is no way anyone would ever say that French Guiana is geographically in Europe.

It just makes no sense.
It just makes no sense.

The only reason the internet, or anyone ever says Hawaii is part of North America is because
The only reason the internet, or anyone ever says Hawaii is part of North America is because

its political association to the US, which actually has some interesting controversy,
its political association to the US, which actually has some interesting controversy,

but is a story for another time.
but is a story for another time.

Hawaii has absolutely no geographical connection to North America.
Hawaii has absolutely no geographical connection to North America.

If North America is not an acceptable option, then the Greater American continent isn’t
If North America is not an acceptable option, then the Greater American continent isn’t

either.
either.

If America and North America are disqualified, then Oceania is the only remaining participant.
If America and North America are disqualified, then Oceania is the only remaining participant.

End of video.
End of video.

Goodbye!
Goodbye!

Except, it’s not that simple.
Except, it’s not that simple.

The definition of a continent is vague, and sometimes nonsensical, as mentioned in the
The definition of a continent is vague, and sometimes nonsensical, as mentioned in the

“Russia is Part of North America” video, which you can go watch by clicking this card.
“Russia is Part of North America” video, which you can go watch by clicking this card.

Contrary to popular belief, Oceania is not a continent.
Contrary to popular belief, Oceania is not a continent.

Don’t be alarmed.
Don’t be alarmed.

It’s not that Kangaroos and tropical destinations are just figments of your imagination, and
It’s not that Kangaroos and tropical destinations are just figments of your imagination, and

there’s nothing there but ocean.
there’s nothing there but ocean.

But you, interested viewer, point out that I must be mistaken, and that I stumbled upon
But you, interested viewer, point out that I must be mistaken, and that I stumbled upon

some incorrect piece of information that’s fake news.
some incorrect piece of information that’s fake news.

But no.
But no.

Don’t get me wrong here.
Don’t get me wrong here.

Oceania exists, but just not as a continent.
Oceania exists, but just not as a continent.

It’s a geographical region.
It’s a geographical region.

A continent is often defined as a large landmass, which makes no sense already, but we’ll
A continent is often defined as a large landmass, which makes no sense already, but we’ll

leave it at that.
leave it at that.

No matter how many continents you believe there are, there will always be another problem.
No matter how many continents you believe there are, there will always be another problem.

Islands.
Islands.

Islands come in 2 types, continental islands, and oceanic islands.
Islands come in 2 types, continental islands, and oceanic islands.

The difference being that continental islands share a continent’s continental shelf, while
The difference being that continental islands share a continent’s continental shelf, while

oceanic islands do not.
oceanic islands do not.

If an island is a continental island, well then end of story, it’s part of whatever
If an island is a continental island, well then end of story, it’s part of whatever

continent it shares a shelf with.
continent it shares a shelf with.

Except it’s not because Afro-Eurasia and America share the same continental shelf.
Except it’s not because Afro-Eurasia and America share the same continental shelf.

But if the island is an oceanic one, that’s where the confusion only gets more confusing.
But if the island is an oceanic one, that’s where the confusion only gets more confusing.

The vast majority of oceanic islands are the results of volcanic activity, and despite
The vast majority of oceanic islands are the results of volcanic activity, and despite

how nonsensical continental shelves are when comparing them to the continental borders
how nonsensical continental shelves are when comparing them to the continental borders

we humans have drawn, volcanic islands, like Hawaii, have nothing to do with them.
we humans have drawn, volcanic islands, like Hawaii, have nothing to do with them.

In due time, all volcanic islands will sink below the surface, and be replaced by new
In due time, all volcanic islands will sink below the surface, and be replaced by new

ones..
ones..

This is all part of a conveyor belt of volcanic islands in the pacific where islands are born
This is all part of a conveyor belt of volcanic islands in the pacific where islands are born

and sunk.
and sunk.

The important thing to understand here is that volcanic islands like Hawaii come and
The important thing to understand here is that volcanic islands like Hawaii come and

go, while things like Australia are here to stay, well at the very least for longer than
go, while things like Australia are here to stay, well at the very least for longer than

those volcanic islands.
those volcanic islands.

Due to that, and it not being on a continental tectonic plate among other things, Hawaii
Due to that, and it not being on a continental tectonic plate among other things, Hawaii

is 1.
is 1.

Not a continent in itself and 2.
Not a continent in itself and 2.

Not part of any continent.
Not part of any continent.

Back to the Oceania business.
Back to the Oceania business.

People mistakenly put Oceania in Australia’s place when naming the continents.
People mistakenly put Oceania in Australia’s place when naming the continents.

People like to throw everything in this general area that doesn't belong to a continent, Hawaii
People like to throw everything in this general area that doesn't belong to a continent, Hawaii

included, into this region called Oceania.
included, into this region called Oceania.

Humanity has a need to organize things, whether it makes sense or not.
Humanity has a need to organize things, whether it makes sense or not.

Oceania is the perfect example.
Oceania is the perfect example.

The reason why people throw random coral atolls and other islands in with Australia, is because
The reason why people throw random coral atolls and other islands in with Australia, is because

of studies on how geography affects politics and other analytical subjects like birth rates
of studies on how geography affects politics and other analytical subjects like birth rates

and death rates among other things.
and death rates among other things.

As it turns out, the very people who have tried to simplify the world, have made it
As it turns out, the very people who have tried to simplify the world, have made it

a lot more complicated.
a lot more complicated.

Another thing worthy of mention is that you could argue that Iceland is not geographically
Another thing worthy of mention is that you could argue that Iceland is not geographically

part of Europe, because it is not on Europe’s continental shelf, as it is a volcanic island,
part of Europe, because it is not on Europe’s continental shelf, as it is a volcanic island,

and half of it is on the North American plate.
and half of it is on the North American plate.

Speaking of North America, Russia could also belong to it.
Speaking of North America, Russia could also belong to it.

Click here to watch that video.
Click here to watch that video.

Thank you for watching.
Thank you for watching.