How long would it take to go around the whole Earth?

Walking Around the World: A Hypothetical Hike of Epic Proportions

The question, “How long would it take to walk around the Earth?” sparks a fascinating thought experiment, pushing us to confront the sheer scale of our planet. While practically impossible, calculating this hypothetical journey reveals some intriguing insights.

Let’s assume, for the sake of this exercise, a perfectly smooth, obstacle-free path circumnavigating the Earth at its widest point – the equator. This path stretches approximately 40,075 kilometers. Further, let’s imagine a dedicated individual, capable of maintaining a consistent walking pace of 4.82 kilometers per hour (approximately 3 miles per hour) without breaks for sleep, food, or rest.

With these parameters, the calculation becomes relatively straightforward: 40,075 km / 4.82 km/h ≈ 8,314 hours. That translates to roughly 346 days of continuous walking. Nearly a full year spent putting one foot in front of the other, witnessing the changing landscapes and experiencing the vastness of Earth in the most primal way.

Of course, this hypothetical scenario conveniently ignores the numerous practical hurdles. Our imagined walker would face vast oceans, towering mountain ranges, scorching deserts, and freezing tundra. Political borders, visa requirements, and the simple logistics of food and water resupply would pose insurmountable challenges.

Even discounting the geographical and logistical barriers, the human body simply isn’t designed for such sustained physical exertion. Sleep deprivation, muscle fatigue, and the psychological toll of relentless walking would quickly render the endeavor impossible.

However, the value of this thought experiment lies not in its practicality, but in its power to illustrate the immense size of our planet. While walking around the world remains firmly in the realm of fantasy, the sheer number of hours involved – over 8,300 – provides a tangible sense of Earth’s magnitude and inspires a deeper appreciation for the world we inhabit. Perhaps this mental journey is more valuable than any physical one could ever be.