Plains occupy a staggering 41% of the lithosphere’s land area. Geographically, they are classified into various types based on their origin, such as structural, erosional or depositional (alluvial) plains. Because they have minimal vertical relief, they are the easiest areas for humans to modify. From the Great Plains of America to the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India, these regions are the most productive and habitable parts of our planet. Their vast extent ensures that they serve as the primary sites for global food production and the location of most of the world’s largest megacities and industrial hubs.