Earth is a very special planet for many reasons. First and foremost, it is our home. Earth is the only planet in the solar system where life resides (as far as we know) and is the nickname for Mother Earth. It has a beautiful blue tint when viewed from space, and earns another nickname: The Blue Planet. We all know that Earth has huge land and plenty of water, but have you ever wondered more about the specific features of our beautiful planets? These fun facts about the Earth will help you unravel some of the Earth’s mysteries for you and your students.
PS Earth is a reminder that they even have their own holiday to celebrate it, and protect everything about it. Don’t forget to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd!
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1. Earth is the third planet from the Sun.
The Earth is about 93 million miles from the Sun. Mercury and Venus are the first two planets from the Sun, respectively.
2. Earth is the only planet that living things can survive.
It has living conditions that are just right for the living thing. Scientists have found no other evidence of life.
3. The Earth is not a perfect sphere.
It is slightly bulging at the equator, making it an oblate spheroid. The diameter of the equator is approximately 27 miles larger than the diameter of the pole to the pole.
4. Water covers about 71% of the Earth’s surface.
This includes oceans, lakes, rivers and glaciers. The oceans help to maintain the planet in the climate needed for living things. Learn the facts about the Earth and its oceans here.
5. The Earth’s atmosphere is mainly composed of nitrogen and oxygen.
Earth’s air consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and a small amount of other gases. This allows living things to breathe on the planet.
6. The land of Earth is divided into seven continents.
The seven continents are North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Antarctica, Asia and Australia.
7. The moon is the only natural satellite on Earth.
A satellite is an object in space that orbits another object. The moon circles around the Earth and makes it our closest neighbor.
8. We experience it day and night as the earth rotates.
The Earth does one full rotation on its axis every 24 hours. Watch this video to see how this happens.
9. The tilt of the earth causes the four seasons.
The Earth is tilted or tilted about 23.5 degrees on its axis. When the Earth orbits the sun, the amount of sunlight that shines on it changes. Summer experiences as the earth tilts towards the sun. Winter occurs when the earth tilts away from the sun. The sunlight in autumn and spring is the same.
10. The Earth is about 4.5 billion years ago.
Scientists calculated this number using radiometric dating techniques. This includes special investigations of rocks from the globe and other parts of space to determine age.
11. The Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar radiation.
The magnetic field deflects charged particles from the sun as the outer core of the liquid moves. It creates amazing north and south lights in the night sky.
12. Antarctica is the coldest place on the planet.
Located in the Antarctic, it is covered in ice. Temperatures can be below -128 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.
13. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.
It covers over 63 million square miles and 30% of the world.
14. The deepest point on earth is the Mariana’s groove.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, it is approximately 36,000 feet deep (nearly 7 miles). This length is longer than Mount Everest, which is another fun fact about the Earth!
15. Mountains are the highest terrain on the planet.
Tectonic plates, active volcanoes, and erosion movements create mountains. The Himalayas, Andes and Rockies are some of the largest mountain ranges on the planet. Here, let’s learn more facts about the Earth and its mountain range.
16. Mount Everest is the highest point on the planet.
It is located 29,032 feet above sea level. It is part of the Himalayan mountain range in Asia.
17. The lowest point on the planet is the Dead Sea.
Located 1,410 feet above sea level between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is extremely salty. It’s salty so people automatically float above when they go swimming! It also contains minerals that are perfect for your skin.
18. A plateau is a flat area of land height.
Plateaus are shorter than mountains, but they form in the same way. The Colorado Plateau is the largest plateau in the United States. It covers parts of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. It includes the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and Arches National Park.
19. Plains are large, flat areas of land.
The Great Plains is North America’s largest plain region, covering both the US and Canada regions east of the Rocky Mountains. It covers a third of the US and has plenty of fertile farmland.
20. The valley is a low area between mountains and hills.
Many ancient civilizations flourished in river valleys due to their abundant water and fertile farmland. One of the most famous ancient valleys is the Nile Valley in Egypt.
21. The desert is a dry, barren land with little rain.
The desert covers about 33% of the Earth’s surface, and can be hot or cold. They are home to unique plants and animals that are adapted to these extreme conditions. The Sahara Desert in Africa is the largest hot desert, while the Antarctic is the largest cold desert. This fact about the Earth is amazing. Because we mainly consider the desert hot!
twenty two. The Canyon is a deep valley with a steep side.
They are formed from millions of years of erosion of rivers. The rock formations on the canyon wall provide a record of the geological history of the earth. The Grand Canyon is one of the largest and most famous canyons on the planet.
twenty three. The island is a terrain surrounded by water on all sides.
They form from volcanic activity, sea level rise, or coral reef accumulation. Many islands have animals endemic to native plants and animals, as they are isolated.
twenty four. Volcanoes are openings in the Earth’s crust that emit magma.
Depending on the activity, they can become active, dormant, or extinct. Some of the most famous volcanoes include Mount Vesuvius in Italy and Mount Fuji in Japan. Volcanic activity formed the islands of Hawaii.
twenty five. The delta, where rivers meet the oceans and lakes, is shaped.
They are created by sediment deposits carried by rivers. Deltas provide habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. The Mississippi Delta is famous for its fertile land and wildlife.
26. The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on the planet.
Located in South America, it covers approximately 2,300,000 square miles. It is the most biologically diverse place on the planet. Millions of different species of plants, terrestrial and aquatic animals live there.
27. Coral reefs are called ocean rainforests.
Millions of sea creatures live and thrive in these special habitats. Coral reefs provide food and shelter to the animals that live there.
28. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on the planet.
It is also the largest living structure on the planet. Located off the coast of Australia, it is comprised of 3,000 individual coral reefs over 1,400 miles. It’s so huge that you can see it from space!
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