Major Domains Of The Earth (Basic)

Lithosphere

Continents

The Lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth. It includes the crust and the uppermost mantle. It is made up of rocks and minerals and forms the landforms such as mountains, valleys, and plateaus.

Continents are the large landmasses on Earth. There are seven major continents:

• Asia – The largest continent.
• Africa – Known for the Sahara Desert and Nile River.
• North America – Includes Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
• South America – Famous for the Amazon rainforest.
• Antarctica – A frozen continent with no permanent human settlement.
• Europe – A continent with diverse cultures and economies.
• Australia – The smallest continent and also a country.

Hydrosphere

Oceans

The Hydrosphere consists of all the water bodies on Earth — oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and underground water.

Oceans are the largest water bodies and they cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface. There are five major oceans:

• Pacific Ocean – The largest and deepest ocean.
• Atlantic Ocean – Known for its busy sea routes.
• Indian Ocean – The only ocean named after a country.
• Southern Ocean – Encircles Antarctica.
• Arctic Ocean – Located in the Northern Hemisphere, mostly covered with ice.

Atmosphere

The Atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth. It is essential for life as it provides air to breathe and protects us from harmful solar radiation.

It is made up of several gases:

• Nitrogen – 78%
• Oxygen – 21%
• Other gases like carbon dioxide, argon, and water vapour – 1%

The atmosphere is divided into five layers:

1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere

Biosphere – The Domain Of Life

The Biosphere is the zone where the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact and support life. It includes all living organisms — from microscopic bacteria to large animals and plants.

All parts of the Earth that support life — including land, water, and air — are part of the biosphere. It is a delicate balance and is affected by natural events and human activities.