Final answer:
The six-continent and seven-continent models differ in the treatment of Europe and Asia, with the six-continent model combining them as Eurasia, and the seven-continent model separating them. The differences do not affect Europe's country count, South America's status, or Africa's climates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The six-continent and seven-continent models differ primarily in the way they categorize Europe and Asia. The six-continent model treats Europe and Asia as a single continent known as Eurasia, while the seven-continent model considers them as separate continents. This discrepancy affects the number of continents, but it does not affect the number of countries in Europe, the status of South America, or the variety of climate types in Africa. These aspects are not directly influenced by the continental model used.
The geographic diversity of the African continent is vast, with different climates such as searing deserts like the Sahara, lush grasslands in the Sahel, and tropical rainforests, all of which have influenced the migration, culture, and development of the African peoples. The desert, for instance, has historically acted as a barrier inhibiting movement between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, the physical characteristics of South America, with its Andes mountains and Amazonian rainforests, offer a variety of resources and have shaped the socio-economic patterns of the continent.