
Earth's circumference
Earth's circumference is the distance around the planet. It measures about 24,901 miles (40,075 kilometers) around the equator, where it is widest. This is because Earth is not a perfect sphere; it's slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator, making it an oblate spheroid. The circumference helps us understand the size of Earth and is important for navigation, geography, and understanding global positioning. It's a key concept in fields like astronomy and earth sciences, illustrating the scale of our planet in relation to the universe.