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16th-century neologismsAfro-EurasiaAge of DiscoveryCountry classifications

Old World

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A stunning view of Earth from space, taken by astronauts during the Apollo 17 mission.

What is the Old World?

The Old World is a name for a big part of our planet called Afro-Eurasia. This includes Africa, Europe, and Asia. Long ago, people in Europe used this name after they learned about the Americas in 1493. Before that, they thought their continents were the whole world!

Old and New Worlds

When people found the New World — which means places like North America and South America — they needed a way to tell the difference. The Old World had many ancient cultures and trade routes, like the Silk Road. The New World was brand new to them, full of different lands and people.

Fun Facts

The Old World includes some of the world's oldest civilizations. Places like the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, and China had amazing inventions and ideas long ago. The Old World and the New World together make our beautiful planet!

Images

An ancient illuminated page from a medieval copy of Ptolemy's Cosmographia, showing detailed astronomical or geographical illustrations.
An old T and O world map from 1472 showing the medieval view of Earth with Jerusalem at the center.
A stunning view of Earth from space, showing our beautiful planet as seen from NASA.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Old World, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.