I am round with four corners, I am freezing, I am boiling, at the same time. Who am I?

This intriguing riddle cleverly describes our own planet, Earth. While the Earth is undeniably a sphere, the "four corners" refers to a historical idiom, not a literal geographical feature. This expression dates back centuries, often used to describe the furthest reaches of the known world during eras of exploration. It symbolically represents the entirety of the globe, encompassing all directions and distant lands.

Simultaneously, the Earth experiences extreme temperatures that can be described as both "freezing" and "boiling." At any given moment, vast regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctic poles or high-altitude mountain ranges, are locked in perpetual ice and snow, maintaining freezing temperatures. Conversely, other parts of the world, like hot deserts, active volcanic regions, or areas experiencing intense summer heat, can reach temperatures that are literally boiling or close to it.

The unique combination of a spherical shape, an ancient idiom representing its vastness, and the simultaneous existence of incredibly diverse and extreme climates makes the Earth the perfect answer to this clever puzzle. Our planet is a dynamic system, constantly showcasing a breathtaking array of conditions across its surface, from the frigid ice caps to scorching deserts, all at the very same time.