The reason attributed to the earth's diameter being greater at the equator is the rotation of the earth on its axis. In the solar system the earth is the fifth largest planet. The earth is spherical in shape. There are number of ways in which information about the earth is gathered these days, through telescopes, satellites and the exploration of outer space.
Different encyclopaedias differ on the exact diameter of the earth. It is approximately twelve thousand seven hundred and sixty kilometres at the equator and twelve thousand seven hundred and twenty kilometres at the poles. The earth gets its shape, its spherical shape, due to gravitational pull. When the earth rotates it causes the equator to bulge. This increases the equatorial diameter by roughly forty three kilometres compared to the polar diameter.
Different encyclopaedias differ on the exact diameter of the earth. It is approximately twelve thousand seven hundred and sixty kilometres at the equator and twelve thousand seven hundred and twenty kilometres at the poles. The earth gets its shape, its spherical shape, due to gravitational pull. When the earth rotates it causes the equator to bulge. This increases the equatorial diameter by roughly forty three kilometres compared to the polar diameter.
