The theory of continental drift was first fully formulated in the book 'Die Entstehung der Kontinente und Ozeane" (1915) of the German scientist Afred Wegener.
The first publication of this theory was approached very critically by his colleagues, but now Wegener's statement that all parts of the world's land masses once formed one continent (Pangea) is generally accepted.
Wegener based his theory on different arguments, such as the resemblance of the coastlines of South America and Africa, the fossils found on both continents, like for instance the Mesosaur fossils, and the age of rocks.