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WHAT TO SEE
Thousands of man-made attractions are well worth a visit.
Great Wall of China
It's often said that the Great Wall of China is the only artificial object visible from space. This is not the case but at nearly 6400km long, The Great Wall remains the largest artificial structure on the planet.
In low Earth orbits, many other constructions can be spotted, including the Egyptian pyramids and some modern buildings too. In higher orbits even the Great Wall is impossible to spot.
LOCAL HISTORY
The Earth is the only planet whose name doesn't derive from Greek or Roman mythology. 'Earth' is derived from Old English. The Romans however, referred to the planet as Terra.
 Investigate past human civilisations with BBC History
Tectonic plates
The surface of the planet is relatively young. Unlike other planets, the Earth's crust is made of plates which gradually slide across the globe at about the same speed as your fingernails grow.
So the map of Earth is continually changing. We know that, 120 million years ago, most of the land on the planet was joined to form a super-continent known as Pangea.
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TRAVEL INFORMATION
One Earth year · 365.26 Earth days
Population · 6.4 billion humans
Before you leave
Earth is the only planet in the Solar System on which conditions are right for intelligent life to evolve. The planet is the correct distance from the Sun for water to exist as a liquid, a vital ingredient for life.
What is the recipe for life?
Earth's oceans also help to regulate the planet's temperature. So it remains fairly constant even when solar conditions change.
The Earth also has a powerful magnetic field. This, combined with the atmosphere, shields the planet from the majority of the harmful solar radiation.
The Earth is therefore the only planet you can walk on without the aid of protective clothing. One word of warning though, local fashions can change remarkably quickly.
Discover what not to wear on your trip to Earth with BBC Lifestyle
When you arrive
Two thirds of Earth are covered by oceans. So unless your craft is equipped for a watery touchdown, you will have to choose your landing site with care.
Earth's terrain is the most varied of any planet of the Solar System. The poles are covered in vast glaciers of ice. Arid deserts are found near the equator. And large areas of land are dominated by vegetation.
There are so many different types of creatures on Earth that they haven't all been catalogued yet. However, human actions have also caused the extinction of many species.
Find out more about Earth's wildlife.
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