A Watery Planet
Earth is the only planet we know of with a lot of water. Most of that water is found in the oceans. An ocean is a huge body of salt water. All of Earth's oceans are connected. They form one great world ocean. The world ocean surrounds the continents.
Some of Earth's water is on the continents. Most of the water is on the continents. Most of the water on the continents, called inland water, is not salty. Water with little salt is called fresh water. Lakes and rivers are the main Earth features that hold or carry fresh water. Streams and ponds also hold fresh water. Most fresh water is found underground or in glaciers or ice sheets near the Earth's poles.
Plants, humans, and other animals all need fresh water. Yet only a small part of Earth's water is fresh water. For these reasons, fresh water is a very important resource.
Some of Earth's water is on the continents. Most of the water is on the continents. Most of the water on the continents, called inland water, is not salty. Water with little salt is called fresh water. Lakes and rivers are the main Earth features that hold or carry fresh water. Streams and ponds also hold fresh water. Most fresh water is found underground or in glaciers or ice sheets near the Earth's poles.
Plants, humans, and other animals all need fresh water. Yet only a small part of Earth's water is fresh water. For these reasons, fresh water is a very important resource.