Why Does Earth Have Land and Water, and Where Are Its Key Natural Features?
This section helps children understand why Earth has both land and water, and where we can find important natural features like mountains, rivers, oceans, and deserts. These features shape life on our planet and make it unique in the solar system.
Why Earth Has Land and Water
- Land:
- Made of solid ground, including rocks, soil, sand, and mountains.
- Formed by natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and cooling of Earth's surface.
- Covers about 29% of Earth’s surface and is home to plants, animals, and humans.
- Water:
- Includes oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers.
- Formed from water vapour that cooled and condensed billions of years ago.
- Makes up about 71% of Earth’s surface and is essential for all living things.
Key Natural Features on Earth
- Mountains: Tall landforms like the Himalayas and Andes formed by movements of Earth's crust.
- Rivers: Flowing bodies of freshwater like the Nile, Ganges, and Amazon that support people, animals, and crops.
- Oceans: Huge saltwater bodies like the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans covering most of the Earth’s surface.
- Deserts: Dry areas like the Sahara and Thar deserts that receive very little rainfall and have special plants and animals.
- Forests: Dense areas of trees like the Amazon Rainforest that produce oxygen and provide homes for wildlife.
