Vigilant

How long would it take for this to happen? Obviously the area surrounding this continent would be obliterated, but what about on the other side of the world?

@PeterTaylor The idea for the religious story is that the land was literally built atop the dragon's body - as such, you're correct in presuming they're one and the same. The legend as written (though it's certainly open to altering, especially given some of the great responses here) goes that the earth is its flesh; the oceans, its tears; the air, its final breath... And so when it is resurrected, it will sunder the planet and bring fire and death to all who reside on it - save for the faithful, who will be carried upon its back to ascend to the stars to complete their holy mission.

That's a good question, and one that should probably be posed to the race which holds this religious belief. With that said, this colossal being is considered to be a god, if not the God - and once you consider that, in my opinion all bets are off.

As others have said, this was a fantastic reply and I'm very grateful that you took the time out to write it. It's how I imagined the event would occur in my head and then some!