Land is the solid, terrestrial surface of Earth not permanently submerged in water. It is a critical natural resource, a fundamental component of terrestrial ecosystems, and a central concept in law, economics, and human culture, encompassing soil, rocks, and the various landforms that constitute approximately 29.2% of the planet's surface.
Last updated September 2, 2025
Land refers to the part of the Earth's surface that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water. It is a multi-faceted concept, understood in geology as the solid crust, in economics as a factor of production, in law as real property, and in ecology as the substrate for terrestrial life.
Geological Composition and Formation
The Earth's landmass is primarily composed of rock, soil, and minerals. The outermost layer, the crust, is divided into continental and oceanic types, with land being the exposed surface of the continental crust. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the formation and distribution of land are governed by the theory of plate tectonics, which describes the movement of large lithospheric plates. Over geological time, these movements create mountains, rift valleys, and other major landforms. As described by the National Geographic Society, surface features are further shaped by processes of weathering, which breaks down rock, and erosion, which transports the resulting sediment.
Land as a Natural Resource
Land is a finite and essential natural resource fundamental to human survival and development. Its most critical component for human use is soil, which supports agriculture and forestry. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) details how healthy soil is vital for food production, water filtration, and carbon storage. Below the surface, land contains valuable mineral and energy resources, including metals, fossil fuels, and groundwater. The allocation and management of these resources are central to national and global economies.
Legal and Economic Concepts
In legal systems, land is the foundation of real estate and property law. Land tenure refers to the way in which rights to land are held, used, and transferred. These systems can range from private ownership (freehold) to leases and customary or collective rights, as outlined by the World Bank. Governments often regulate land use through zoning laws, which designate specific areas for residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural purposes to guide urban and rural development.
In classical economics, land is considered one of the three primary factors of production, alongside labor and capital. As explained by Investopedia, its defining economic characteristics are its fixed supply and immobility. The value of land is determined by its location, fertility, resource content, and permitted uses, and it generates economic return in the form of rent.
Environmental and Ecological Significance
Land supports all terrestrial ecosystems, from forests and grasslands to deserts and tundras. These ecosystems provide essential services, including habitat for the vast majority of terrestrial biodiversity, regulation of the water cycle, and a significant role in the global carbon cycle. However, land is subject to significant environmental pressures. Land degradation, which includes soil erosion, desertification, and contamination from pollution, is a major global challenge. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reports that human activities are the primary drivers of land degradation, which can exacerbate the effects of climate change and threaten food security.
Land is the solid, terrestrial surface of Earth not permanently submerged in water. It is a critical natural resource, a fundamental component of terrestrial ecosystems, and a central concept in law, economics, and human culture, encompassing soil, rocks, and the various landforms that constitute approximately 29.2% of the planet's surface.
Last updated September 2, 2025
Land refers to the part of the Earth's surface that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water. It is a multi-faceted concept, understood in geology as the solid crust, in economics as a factor of production, in law as real property, and in ecology as the substrate for terrestrial life.
Geological Composition and Formation
The Earth's landmass is primarily composed of rock, soil, and minerals. The outermost layer, the crust, is divided into continental and oceanic types, with land being the exposed surface of the continental crust. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the formation and distribution of land are governed by the theory of plate tectonics, which describes the movement of large lithospheric plates. Over geological time, these movements create mountains, rift valleys, and other major landforms. As described by the National Geographic Society, surface features are further shaped by processes of weathering, which breaks down rock, and erosion, which transports the resulting sediment.
Land as a Natural Resource
Land is a finite and essential natural resource fundamental to human survival and development. Its most critical component for human use is soil, which supports agriculture and forestry. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) details how healthy soil is vital for food production, water filtration, and carbon storage. Below the surface, land contains valuable mineral and energy resources, including metals, fossil fuels, and groundwater. The allocation and management of these resources are central to national and global economies.
Legal and Economic Concepts
In legal systems, land is the foundation of real estate and property law. Land tenure refers to the way in which rights to land are held, used, and transferred. These systems can range from private ownership (freehold) to leases and customary or collective rights, as outlined by the World Bank. Governments often regulate land use through zoning laws, which designate specific areas for residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural purposes to guide urban and rural development.
In classical economics, land is considered one of the three primary factors of production, alongside labor and capital. As explained by Investopedia, its defining economic characteristics are its fixed supply and immobility. The value of land is determined by its location, fertility, resource content, and permitted uses, and it generates economic return in the form of rent.
Environmental and Ecological Significance
Land supports all terrestrial ecosystems, from forests and grasslands to deserts and tundras. These ecosystems provide essential services, including habitat for the vast majority of terrestrial biodiversity, regulation of the water cycle, and a significant role in the global carbon cycle. However, land is subject to significant environmental pressures. Land degradation, which includes soil erosion, desertification, and contamination from pollution, is a major global challenge. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reports that human activities are the primary drivers of land degradation, which can exacerbate the effects of climate change and threaten food security.
