Inside: Dive into the intriguing world of geography with these 15 facts designed specifically for kids. They are perfect for sparking curiosity in young minds about the world we live in.
Geography class is not typically remembered as an exciting part of our school years. Do you agree? When I look back, I remember memorizing lots of lists: the names of all the rivers on each continent, the list of mountains, oh and the capitals of 195 countries.
Yet, our planet, from the deepest, dark depths of the vast ocean to the towering, snow-capped peaks of the highest mountains, is a treasure chest filled with mysteries and mesmerizing landscapes. It’s an intricate tapestry woven with diverse geographical features that create a breathtaking spectacle of natural beauty.
Geography is not about memorizing facts and figures; it’s about exploration of the incredible world around us.
The 15 fascinating geography facts presented here are tailored for young minds. They will not only enrich their knowledge but also spark their curiosity, making learning an exciting adventure.
Let’s explore our world together and uncover its magical secrets!
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15 Mind-blowing Geography Facts for Kids
1. The Earth Is Not Completely Round
Contrary to popular belief, the Earth is not completely round. Due to its spin, it bulges out at the Equator, making it more of an oblate spheroid.
2. Volcanoes Are Found on Every Continent
Including Antarctica! This may come as a surprise, but even the coldest continent on Earth has volcanoes. There are as many as 12 known volcanoes in Antarctica, some of which are active.
3. Africa is the Only Continent that can be found in all 4 hemispheres
Africa is the only continent in the world that spans across all four hemispheres of the globe – northern, southern, eastern, and western. It crosses both the equator (separating the northern and southern hemispheres) and the prime meridian (separating the eastern and western hemispheres).
4. The Pacific Ocean is Bigger Than All Landmass Combined
Spanning more than 60 million square miles, the Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest body of water. To comprehend its size, imagine that it’s so expansive that it could comfortably fit all the continents and still have room to spare!
5. Mt. Everest Isn’t the Closest to Space
The summit of Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth. However, due to the Earth’s bulge at the Equator, the mountain closest to space is actually Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo.
6. The Sahara Desert Is Expanding
The Sahara Desert, a vast sandy landscape, is not static in its size. It’s actually expanding at an astonishing rate! To give a clear picture, it’s growing by approximately 1% or 0.8 kilometers each year. This means that every year, the desert claims more land, transforming it into its sandy and arid terrain. This continual expansion is an intriguing aspect of the Sahara’s characteristics.
7. Rivers Can Flow Backward
Rivers, as we typically understand them, flow in one direction due to gravity. However, there are certain extraordinary events – powerful earthquakes, hurricanes, or massive floods – that can cause rivers to flow in the opposite direction. Despite being rare, these instances are a striking demonstration of nature’s power.
8. Which Country Has the Most Islands?
You would never guess! Sweden has 267,000 islands (only 984 of them are inhibited), making it the country with the highest number of islands worldwide.
9. There Are 5 Oceans
Many people believe that there are only four oceans. But in 2002, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the governing body for the naming of bodies of water around the world, added the Southern Ocean to the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.
10. The Longest Mountain Range is Undersea
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, under the Atlantic Ocean, is the longest mountain range. Much of it is undersea, and it spans an incredible 16,000 kilometers (or 10,000 miles).
11. Antarctica Is the Largest Desert
When people think of deserts, they think of hot, sandy places. But a desert is defined by low precipitation, and that means Antarctica, with an average of just 200 mm of precipitation per year, is the world’s largest desert.
12. The Dead Sea Is the Lowest Point on Earth
The surface and shores of the Dead Sea, located in the Middle East, are 429 meters below sea level, making it the planet’s lowest land point.
13. Ring of Fire is Shaped like a Horseshoe
The Pacific Ocean is home to an astonishing 90% of the world’s volcanoes. They are concentrated in a 40,000 km area, arranged in a horseshoe pattern. This area, characterized by frequent seismic activity, is often referred to as the ‘Ring of Fire.’
14. Lakes Can Be Pink
There are a few pink lakes around the world. Lake Hillier in Australia is one of them. Its pink color is due to a combination of high salinity and the presence of certain algae and bacteria.
15. Real Estate Hotspot
A significant portion of the world’s population, specifically around 90%, resides in the Northern Hemisphere. To put it into perspective, this means that almost nine out of every ten people you meet hail from this part of the globe. This region is composed of North America, Europe, most of Asia, and half of Africa. The Northern Hemisphere is home to many of the world’s most populous countries, which contributes to its high population density.
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