Earth is the third planet from the Sun. In terms of size, it takes fifth place in the system. Earth is the only celestial body known to man inhabited by living organisms.
Historical information
Literary sources use such a synonym for the word Earth as "Blue Planet". Studies show that the celestial body in question was formed about 4.54 billion years ago from a solar nebula. The only natural satellite is the moon. Presumably, it arose shortly after the formation of the planet. Life on Earth, according to scientists, appeared about 3.9 billion years ago. Since that time, the biosphere of the planet began to influence the atmosphere and other abiotic factors. This led to an increase in the number of aerobic organisms, activated the formation of the ozone layer. The latter, together with a magnetic field, weakens the effects of life-threatening radiation from the sun.
Planet elements
The earth's crust is divided into a number of segments - tectonic plates. They are in constant motion. The speed of their movement per year is several centimeters. The composition, structure and laws of planet development are studied by geology. The Earth’s photo shows that about 71% is occupied by the oceans. The rest of the planet hosts islands and continents. The mainland includes rivers, lakes, ice, groundwater. Together with the oceans they form the hydrosphere. No other planet known to man has water in liquid form suitable for life forms. At the poles of the Earth is the marine Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets.
Internal structure
Underground areas are quite high activity. They consist of a viscous and thick layer - the mantle. It covers the outer (liquid) core. The latter acts as a source of the magnetic field of the planet. A solid core is also located inside the Earth. Presumably, it consists of nickel and iron. In the photo of the Earth, presented in the article, you can clearly see the internal structure of the planet.
Space activity
The physical characteristics of the planet and its orbital motion contribute to the preservation of life over the past 3.5 billion years. The results of various studies show that the living conditions of organisms will remain on the planet for about 0.5-2.3 billion years. Through gravitational forces, the Earth interacts with other space objects, including the Moon and the Sun. Around the last planet makes a complete revolution in approximately 365.26 sunny days. This period is called the sidereal year. The earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.44 degrees. with respect to the perpendicular of the orbital plane. This causes seasonal changes with an interval in a tropical year (365.24 days). The duration of earthly days is approximately 24 hours.
Moon
The natural satellite began its revolution around the Earth about 4.53 billion years ago. The gravitational influence of the moon causes the occurrence of tides in the ocean. The satellite stabilizes the tilt of the Earth's axis, gradually slowing its rotation. According to some researchers, the fall of asteroids has led to significant changes in the environment and the surface of the planet. In particular, they provoked the mass extinction of various species of organisms.
Geopolitics
Earth is a home for a huge number of living creatures, including humans. The territory of the planet is divided between independent states. They establish diplomatic relations, trade, economic and other ties. In human culture, there are many ideas about the structure of the world. Among them, for example, the theory of a flat Earth, a geocentric world system. The Gaia hypothesis was widely developed at one time. According to it, the planet is a single superorganism.
Earth: meaning of the word
The term is used in various fields. In addition to the space sphere, the concept of "earth" is interpreted as:
- Land. It is opposed to any water surface.
- The soil. Lands (in the plural) are used for agricultural and other productive activities.
- Plot owned by any entity (citizen, institution, state).
- Loose and clay rocks or the obsolete name of insoluble, refractory oxides.
Occultism and alchemy also use the term earth. The meaning of the word in these cases is connected with the world element, along with fire, water, etc. In addition, the term is used in the field of administrative division. In the Russian kingdom, land is a territory that was subordinate to one ruler. In Poland, it is a historical administrative unit. In Austria and Germany, the word land indicates the federal structure of states.
Priming
This term is also used as a synonym for the word earth. The surface is considered to be the surface lithospheric layer of the planet. The soil is fertile. It is presented in the form of a multifunctional heterogeneous open four-phase structural system. The soil is the result of the vital activity of organisms and weathering of rocks. Fertile land is the most favorable substrate or habitat for plants, animals, microorganisms. An interesting fact is that in its biomass, the soil (the land of the planet) is almost 700 times larger than the ocean, despite the fact that the former accounts for less than 1/3 of the planet. What is fertile land for the state? It is considered the country's main wealth, since it is up to 90% of human consumption products that are produced on it. In ancient times, land was also used as a building material. Degradation of the fertile layer leads to crop failure and famine.
What is land in a legal sense?
This term is used in civil law. Unfortunately, in normative acts there is no clear explanation of the category "land". The determination of the subject of legal regulation in this regard is significantly difficult. The term itself, as it becomes clear from the above information, is interpreted differently. Speaking of what land is, it is necessary to mention the relationship of a person developing in the sphere of interaction of elements of nature and a complex of cultural, everyday and material objects. All these elements form the habitat of people. The relationships within it are governed by environmental law. The term in question also means the surface layer of soil, which is located above the bowels. This territory may be located within a particular state. Russia has large areas of land. According to Art. 67 of the Constitution, within the borders of the state are the territories of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, the territorial sea, inland waters and the airspace above them.
Object of legal relations
Land in land law is a specific plot with established boundaries and area. It is located in part of the area, has its own legal status. Its characteristics are reflected in the cadastre and state registration documents. Land law is considered an independent legal industry. Highlighting this sphere of relations necessitated the clarification of different terms to establish uniformity in interpretation and application of categories in practice. Consider a few of them.
Common categories
Land is property that may belong to a citizen, organization, constituent entity of the Russian Federation, municipality or state. On the territory, the delimitation of a site is allowed in order to turn it into an independent object of civil circulation. Inside it, shares can be determined - the conditional parts of the law. They do not have specific boundaries, but they have a purpose. A land share is the value expression of a share entered in the authorized capital of an enterprise. In the Russian Federation there is a certain set of relations that have developed in society on the basis of existing forms of ownership, as well as the corresponding types of use, disposition and ownership.
Interpretation problem
It should be noted that the sphere of legal regulation of land relations during certain historical periods of the development of the state underwent a number of significant changes. Nevertheless, the reforms and the adoption of various regulations do not eliminate the need for interpretation of the terms used. Moreover, according to some researchers, this need has gained particular relevance. This is primarily due to the fact that modern legislative acts (federal in particular) include an introductory part as a mandatory element. It provides a system of terms and clarifications to them. Research and development of the definition will allow to identify the place of the concept of "land" in the system of natural resources, which are directly connected with it. According to experts, the problem of forming legal criteria by which one or another category can be specified has not been fully studied today. This issue continues to be a significant gap, creating great obstacles in the theoretical aspect and law enforcement practice. An assessment of the legislation allows us to establish that the key in such criteria are such characteristics of natural objects that determine the need for the development and implementation of special measures by the state to ensure the rational use of the resources available in the country.
GOST 26640-85
This state standard defines the term “land”. Perhaps this is the only regulatory document containing an interpretation of the category. The section of terms and definitions indicates that the earth is an essential part of the natural environment. It is characterized by space, climate, topography, vegetation, fertile layer, waters, bowels. According to GOST, land is the main means of production in forestry and agriculture. It has a spatial basis for the placement of organizations and enterprises of all sectors of economic activity. Such a definition, according to experts, certainly has great practical value. It makes it possible to correctly compile and maintain cadastral documentation, to resolve disputes arising. Along with this, experts note that such an interpretation does not reflect all the properties of land as a legal category. The explanation given in GOST undoubtedly contains characteristics that are important for the sphere of legal regulation of relations. However, due to the narrow purpose of this state standard, the disclosure of the key properties of land is extremely insufficient. In addition, GOST does not have the force of law, since it acts as a normative document on standardization. Its provisions are binding only within a limited range of relationships and issues.