Earth (INWU)

Earth

Map of the Earth
Designations
Alternative names	Themis (Elyrian)
Adjectives	Earthly, Themian
Orbital characteristics
Aphelion	152 100 000 km
Perihelion	147 095 000 km
Semi-major axis	149 598 023 km
Eccentricity	0.0167
Orbital period	~365.26 days
Average orbital speed	29.78 km/s
Mean anomaly	358.617°
Inclination	7.155° to the Sun's equator 1.57869° to invariable plane 0.00005° to ecliptic
Longitude of ascending node	-11.26064° to ecliptic
Argument of perihelion	114.20783°
Known satellites	1 natural satellite: the Moon
Physical characteristics
Mean radius	6371 km
Equatorial radius	6378.1 km
Polar radius	6356.8 km
Circumference	40,000 km
Surface area	510 072 000 km²
Volume	1.08321×1012 km³
Mass	5.97237×10²⁴ kg
Moment of inertia factor	0.3307
Escape velocity	11.186 km/s
Sidereal rotation period	23h 56m 4.100s
Equatorial rotation velocity	0.4651 km/s
Axial tilt	23.4392811°
Surface temp. min mean max Centigrade −89.2°C 15.1°C 61.1°C
Atmosphere
Surface pressure	101.325 kPa (at mean sea level)
Composition by volume	78.08% nitrogen 20.95% oxygen ~1% water vapor (climate variable) 0.9340% argon 0.0408% carbon dioxide 0.00182% neon 0.00052% helium 0.00017% methane 0.00011% krypton 0.00006% hydrogen

Earth, also known by the Elyrian astronomical name Themis, is the fourth planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object in the Ecumene known to harbor life. Radiometric dating places the Earth at over 4.5 billion years old. Earth orbits around the Sun in approximately 365.26 days, a period known as an Earth year. Moreover, Earth is orbited by the Moon, its only natural satellite. Earth's axis of rotation is tilted with respect to its orbital plane, producing seasons on Earth's surface that impact climate distinctly on Earth's northern and southern hemispheres. The gravitational interaction between Earth and the Moon causes tides, stabilizes Earth's orientation on its axis and gradually slows its rotation.

Within the first billion years of Earth's history, life appeared in the oceans and began to affect the Earth's atmosphere and surface, leading to the proliferation of anoxic organisms. Later, following the Great Oxidation triggered by their metabolism, came the appearance of lifeforms capable of metabolizing oxygen. Some geological evidence indicates that life may have arisen as early as 4.1 billion years ago. Since then, the combination of Earth's distance from the Sun, physical properties and geological history have allowed life, including Humanity, to evolve and thrive. Over 7 billion humans live on Earth and depend on its biosphere and natural resources for their survival. Humans began settling the Earth outside of their cradle in Dihara around 90,000 years ago; since then, Humans have developed increasingly diverse societies and cultures. Politically, the world is divided into a myriad of Human polities.

Continents

Map of the commonly recognized continents of Earth.

A continent is one of several very large landmasses. Geologically, the continents largely correspond to areas of continental crust that are found on the continental plates, though this criteria is secondary to established convention. Eight distinct landmasses are commonly regarded as continents. Ordered from largest in area to smallest, they are WIP

Map of the Continents		Name	Population	Area
		Veoharia	WIP	62 985 181 km2
		Tarsis	WIP	53 357 578 km2
		WIP	WIP	34 101 746 km2
		Dihara	WIP	19 124 716 km2
		Aurora	WIP	12 730 117 km2
		WIP	WIP	4 930 686 km2