Land: Solid surface of Earth that is not permanently covered by water

Dry land is the parts of Earth's surface not covered by the ocean or other permanent body of water. About 29% of the surface of Earth is dry land, while the rest is covered with liquid water. Land can have different types of soil; it may be covered with stones, sand, dirt, etc. Sometimes it is not clear where land ends and a body of water begins.

The total area of Earth is about 510 million km². About 149 million km², which is 29% of the surface, is land. Large masses of ice called glaciers cover 15 million km², or 10% of the land area. The biggest continuous landmasses are called continents, and smaller landmasses, surrounded by water, are called islands.

19% of land on Earth (28 million km²), is barren: without plants. This includes deserts, beaches, and rocky areas with no soil. 26% of land (39 million km²) is forests. 8% of land (12 million km²) is shrubland or grassland. 1% of land (1.5 million km²) is cities, towns, and land used for infrastructure. The remaining 34% of land (51 million km²) is used for farming: 7% (11 million km²) for crops (plants) 27% (40 million km²) for livestock (animals).

Even today, some land is being formed and some land is sinking into the ocean. The surface of the earth, which includes both the land and the ocean floor, is made of large pieces of rock called tectonic plates. Continental plates are thicker and lighter, so they stay at the top and make up the land surface. Oceanic plates are thinner and heavier, so they sink down and make up the ocean surface.

Tectonic plates move over time, which is called continental drift. When two continental plates push into each other, they fold upwards to make mountains. When they move apart, they form a rift valley: the East African rift valley is forming now. Islands can be formed by volcanoes: the Hawaiian islands are a good example. Over time, land can wear away through erosion and sink below sea level. This can be seen with the Hawaiian islands, because the newer islands are taller than the older islands.

• Geology
• Landscape
• Land (economics)

• Conserving Land for People