Home Science for Kids Planet Earth for Kids Watery Facts
Grizzly Bear catching fish
Watery Facts
The Pacific Ocean is three times bigger than Asia, the biggest continent on Earth. It covers nearly one-third of the Earth's surface. Its widest part is about 1770 km or 11000 miles. That distance would take you halfway around the world.
Ninety seven per cent of all the water on Earth is salty. Only 3 per cent is fresh water. Of that 3 per cent of fresh water, over 2 per cent is frozen in ice sheets and glaciers. And that means that less than 1 per cent of that 3 per cent fresh water is found in lakes, rivers and underground.
What does salty water contain? Well, 96 per cent of salt water is pure water. There is 3 per cent common salt in it. That makes it 99 per cent. The remaining one per cent is made up of more than 80 elements, including sulphate, magnesium, bromide, calcium, potassium, strontium, boron, fluoride and gold. Some seas have more salt than others.
Have you ever heard of a salty ice cube? No, and there is a simple reason for it. Ice made of salt water does not contain any salt. That is the biggest relief for people like the Eskimos, who live in icy regions and are surrounded by ice all year long. All they have to do is melt the ice — and their fresh drinking water is ready.
Previous articleThe Jungle
Next articleWhere did Coffee Originate?
Double it up!
Raju and Savitri lived in Tanjore in the state of Tamil Nadu. Raju worked in the rice fields of a local landlord or zamindar...
Kindness to Animals
Little children, never give Pain to things that feel and live; Let the gentle robin come For the crumbs you save at home; As his meat you throw...
How does a Submarine Work?
Jules Verne in his science fiction, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, mentions a ship, Nautilus, which could dive beneath the waves and...
Venice is Sinking
Most people all over the world travel by the road. In a city in Italy however, waterways make up the primary commuting routes. The...