About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. This inclusion of oceans, lakes, rivers, and glaciers is essential for life as we know it. The vast majority of this water, approximately 97.5%, is found in the oceans, which are salty and not suitable for drinking. Only about 2.5% of the world’s water is freshwater, and most of that is trapped in ice caps or underground reservoirs. Understanding the distribution of water on Earth helps us appreciate its importance and the challenges related to water scarcity in certain regions.
Menu