Whole Earth

The earth is the fifth largest planet of the solar system.

The equatorial diameter of the earth is 7,926 miles.

The polar diameter of the earth is 7,900 miles.

The oceans make up 70.8% of the surface area of the earth.

The outer shell or crust of the earth varies in thickness from 5 to 28 miles.

The outer shell or crust of the earth is composed of two general classifications of rocks, the sial and the sima.

The layer beneath the outer shell or crust is called the mantle.

The boundary between the outer shell or crust and the mantle is called the Moho.

Below the mantle is the earth's core.

The earth's core is thought to be composed of nickel and iron.

The outer part of the earth's core is thought to be molten while the inner core is thought to be solid.

Soils

There are many types of soil. Amoung the many types are calcareous, loam, marl, and peat.

Peat is a type of soil which consists of partially decomposed aquatic and semiaquatic plants

Peat moss contains primarily sphagnum moss.

Fuel peat is the first step in the slow transformation of organic material to coal. As the name implies it is used as fuel in some parts of the world such as Ireland.

Marl is also called bog lime.

Lime is a key ingredient in marl or bog lime. Marl is often used as a fertilizer.

The addition of marl to soil, marling, can correct acidity levels.

Loam is a superior soil. Most agricultural soils are some form of loam.

The composition of loam is sand, silt, clay, and organic material.

Calcareous soils - calcareous means containing calcium carbonate, calcium, or lime.

Calcareous soils are often part of the soils found in deserts.

Calcareous soils are often fertile. In the case where it is found in deserts, if a water source is provided, this soil can also be very fertile.

Cruithne - Earth's second moon

Near-Earth asteroid 3753 Cruithne shares the Earth's orbit.

Cruithne's orbit is complex and horseshoe shaped.

For more info on Cruithne try Near-Earth Asteroid 3753 Cruithne

Origin of the word Cruithne - "The Cruithne were the first Celtic racio-tribal group to come to the British Isles, appearing between about 800 and 500 B.C., and coming from the European continent. They were a matrilineal people, tracing royal lineage and inheritance through the female line, and in pagan times had worshiped the mother-goddess of fertility." Please see The Cruithne for more info

The Cruithne of Scotland are the original Albans, or natives of Albany.