Image for The Water Cycle (by National Geographic)

The Water Cycle (by National Geographic)

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes like evaporation, where water from rivers and lakes turns into vapor, and condensation, where vapor cools and forms clouds. Eventually, the water returns to the ground as precipitation—rain or snow. From there, it can flow into bodies of water, soak into the soil, or evaporate again. This cycle is crucial for maintaining ecosystems, regulating climate, and providing fresh water for all living organisms. It illustrates how interconnected our water sources are within the environment.