Earth is a very special planet for many reasons. First and foremost, it’s our home. Earth is the only planet in the solar system where life exists (as far as we know), hence the nickname Mother Earth. It has a beautiful blue hue when viewed from space, earning it another nickname: the Blue Planet. We all know Earth has huge landmasses and lots of water, but have you ever wondered more about the specific features of our beautiful planet? These fun facts about Earth will help unravel some of Earth’s mysteries for you and your students.
P.S. Earth even has its very own holiday to celebrate it and remind us to protect everything about it. Don’t forget to celebrate Earth Day on April 22!
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1. Earth is the third planet from the sun.
Earth is approximately 93 million miles away from the sun. Mercury and Venus are the first two planets from the sun, respectively.
2. Earth is the only planet where living things can survive.
It has the proper living conditions that are just right for living things. Scientists have not found evidence of life anywhere else.
3. Earth is not a perfect sphere.
It bulges slightly at the equator, making it an oblate spheroid. The diameter at the equator is about 27 miles larger than the pole-to-pole diameter.
4. Water covers about 71% of Earth’s surface.
This includes oceans, lakes, rivers, and glaciers. Oceans help keep Earth at the necessary climate for living things. Learn more facts about Earth and its oceans here.
5. Earth’s atmosphere is mostly made up of nitrogen and oxygen.
Earth’s air is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and just tiny amounts of other gases. This allows living things to breathe on Earth.
6. Earth’s land is divided into seven continents.
The seven continents are North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and Australia.
7. The moon is Earth’s only natural satellite.
A satellite is an object in space that orbits around another object. The moon circles around the Earth, making it our closest neighbor.
8. We experience day and night as the Earth rotates.
Earth makes one full rotation on its axis every 24 hours. Watch this video to see how this happens.
9. Earth’s tilt causes the four seasons.
Earth leans, or tilts, about 23.5 degrees on its axis. As Earth orbits the sun, the amount of sunlight shining on it changes. When Earth tilts toward the sun, we experience summer. Winter occurs when Earth tilts away from the sun. Fall and spring have an equal amount of daylight.
10. Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old.
Scientists used radiometric dating techniques to calculate this number. This involves a special examination of rocks on Earth and from other parts of space to determine their age.
11. Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar radiation.
The magnetic field deflects charged particles from the sun as the liquid outer core moves. It creates the amazing northern and southern lights in the night sky.
12. Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.
It is located at the South Pole and is covered in ice. Temperatures can drop below -128 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
13. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.
It covers over 63 million square miles and 30% of Earth.
14. The deepest point on Earth is the Mariana Trench.
It is in the Pacific Ocean and is about 36,000 feet (almost 7 miles) deep. This length is longer than the height of Mount Everest, which is another fun fact about Earth!
15. Mountains are the tallest landforms on Earth.
The movement of tectonic plates, active volcanoes, and erosion create mountains. The Himalayas, Andes, and Rockies are some of the largest mountain ranges on Earth. Learn more facts about Earth and its mountain ranges here.
16. The highest point on Earth is Mount Everest.
It stands at 29,032 feet above sea level. It is part of the Himalayan mountain range in Asia.
17. The lowest point on Earth is the Dead Sea.
Located between Israel and Jordan at 1,410 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is extremely salty. It is so salty that people automatically float to the top when they go in for a swim! It also contains minerals that are great for the skin.
18. Plateaus are elevated flat areas of land.
Plateaus are shorter than mountains but 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 the largest plain region in North America, covering areas in both the United States and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. It covers one-third of the United States and has plenty of fertile farmland.
20. Valleys are low areas between mountains or hills.
Many ancient civilizations thrived in river valleys due to the abundant water and fertile farmland. One of the most well-known ancient valleys is the Nile Valley in Egypt.
21. Deserts are dry, barren land areas with very little rain.
Deserts cover about 33% of Earth’s land surface and can be hot or cold. They are home to unique plants and animals adapted to these extreme conditions. The Sahara Desert in Africa is the largest hot desert, while Antarctica is the largest cold desert. This fact about Earth is surprising since we mostly think of deserts as being hot!
22. Canyons are deep valleys with steep sides.
They form from millions of years of river erosion. The layers of rock in canyon walls provide a record of Earth’s geological history. The Grand Canyon is one of the largest and most famous canyons on the planet.
23. Islands are landforms surrounded by water on all sides.
They form from volcanic activity, rising sea levels, or coral reef buildup. Many islands have native plants and animals that are unique to them since they are isolated.
24. Volcanoes are openings in Earth’s crust that release magma.
They can be active, dormant, or extinct, depending on their activity. Some of the most famous volcanoes include Mount Vesuvius in Italy and Mount Fuji in Japan. Volcanic activity formed the Hawaiian Islands.
25. Deltas form where rivers meet oceans or lakes.
They are created by sediment deposits carried by rivers. Deltas provide habitats 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 Earth.
It is located in South America and covers around 2,300,000 square miles. It is the most biologically diverse place on the planet. Millions of different types of plants, land animals, and aquatic animals live there.
27. Coral reefs are called the rainforests of the sea.
Millions of sea creatures live and thrive in these special habitats. Coral reefs provide food and shelter for the animals living there.
28. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth.
It is also the largest living structure on the planet. Located off the coast of Australia, it spans over 1,400 miles and consists of 3,000 individual reefs. It can be seen from space because it is so enormous!
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