World, the earth with its inhabitants and their activities. Earth and world have somewhat the same meaning, but as used here earth refers to the planet while world refers to the earth as lived on and used by humankind. (For a discussion of the earth as a planet,
A great many of the subjects treated in this encyclopedia are related to the world as the home of humankind. This article is a summary of some of the world's most outstanding features, with cross references to articles giving more detailed information.
