Earth

Earth is the planet we live on. It is the third planet from the Sun. Earth is the only place we know of that has living things. It has land, oceans, air, and clouds. From space, Earth looks like a big blue marble.

A Watery World

About three-fourths of Earth is covered in water. Most of this water is in huge oceans. Earth also has rivers, lakes, and ice at the poles. The water on Earth helps plants, animals, and people stay alive.

An artist's picture of a young Earth-like planet forming from dust around a star.
An artist's picture of a young Earth-like planet forming from dust around a star. (NASA/JPL-Caltech / Wikimedia Commons)

Earth in Space

Earth spins like a top as it travels around the Sun. One spin makes a day. One trip around the Sun makes a year. Earth has one big moon that circles around it.

Fun Facts

  • Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.
  • The air we breathe is mostly nitrogen, not oxygen.
  • Earth is the only planet not named after a god.

Did You Know?

Earth is slightly squished, so it is a little wider at the middle than at the poles.