A region's climate is not only determined by latitude, but also by its proximity to moderating oceans and height among other factors. Greenhouse gases also play an important role in regulating the surface temperature. Tropical regions receive more energy from the Sun than polar regions, which is redistributed by atmospheric and ocean circulation. Humans increasingly impact Earth's hydrology, atmospheric processes and other life.Įarth's atmosphere consists mostly of nitrogen and oxygen. Almost 8 billion humans live on Earth and depend on its biosphere and natural resources for their survival. Over 99% of all species that ever lived on Earth are extinct.

In the history of life on Earth, biodiversity has gone through long periods of expansion, occasionally punctuated by mass extinctions. Since then, the combination of Earth's distance from the Sun, physical properties and geological history have allowed life to evolve and thrive. Some geological evidence indicates that life may have arisen as early as 4.1 billion years ago. Within the first billion years of Earth's history, life appeared in the oceans and began to affect Earth's atmosphere and surface, leading to the proliferation of anaerobic and, later, aerobic organisms. Earth's interior remains active with a solid iron inner core, a liquid outer core that generates Earth's magnetic field, and a convecting mantle that drives plate tectonics.Īccording to radiometric dating estimation and other evidence, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago. Earth's outer layer is divided into several rigid tectonic plates that migrate across the surface over many millions of years. Much of Earth's polar regions are covered in ice. The remaining 71% is covered with water, mostly by oceans but also lakes, rivers and other fresh water, which together constitute the hydrosphere. About 29% of Earth's surface is land consisting of continents and islands. ( See also Texas.Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. It has a council-manager form of government. The fire ended a 51-day government siege. Tragic events in Waco’s history include a tornado that killed 114 people on and a fire in the compound of the Branch Davidian religious group in which at least 75 people died on April 19, 1993. Waco still depends partly on crops and livestock, but manufacturing (including clothing, machinery, tires, and glass) and service industries (including tourism) broadened its economic base. World War II brought two large air force installations (now closed) and the beginning of industrialization. The economy was based at first on cattle but later came to depend on cotton. The coming of the railroad in 1881 further stimulated economic growth. The completion of a suspension bridge over the Brazos River in 1870 attracted travelers to the town. A Texas Ranger fort had been built in the area in 1837. The new town was set on the site of a village of the Waco (also spelled Hueco, or Huaco), a Native American people affiliated with the Wichita. Waco was laid out in 1849 by Jacob De Cordova, a land agent. Lake Waco, formed in the late 1920s by damming the Bosque River, is a recreational spot just west of the city. Living animals may be seen in the Cameron Park Zoo.

The Waco Mammoth Site, opened as a public park in 2009, is a place where 68,000-year-old fossil remains of mammoths and other prehistoric animals have been found. Pepper Museum, located in a building where the soft drink was once bottled. Other tourist attractions include the popular Texas Sports Hall of Fame, opened in 1993 the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, devoted to the famed law enforcement agency and the Dr. The Historic Waco Foundation administers museums in four historic houses. Higher education also takes place at Texas State Technical College, established in 1965 on the site of James Connally Air Force Base. The Mayborn Museum, which includes natural history exhibits and a historic village, is on the university campus.

Baylor University, founded in 1845 and affiliated with the Baptist church, has been located in Waco since 1886.

Living earth waco