----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I know it isn't strictly cartographic, but you folks are so good at answering obscure questions that I thought I would take advantage of the (northern hemisphere) summer lull to ask... Can anyone enlighten me regarding the origins of the names "Asia", "Europe" and "Africa"? Where did these names come from, who first coined them ... and why? "Australia" and "America" are more straightforward and, I think, reasonable well documented, but the old world seems less so. Hope those of you who, like me, have been given time off for good behaviour are enjoying your vacation :-) Darius Bartlett