Final answer:
Approximately 3.61 x 10^8 km² of the Earth's surface is covered by water, including both saltwater and freshwater.
Step-by-step explanation:
About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. This includes both saltwater and freshwater. The total surface area of the Earth is approximately 5.1 x 10^8 km². The surface area of saltwater is estimated to be 352,000,000 km², and the surface area of freshwater is approximately 9 x 10^6 km². To calculate the total surface area covered by water, we can add the surface areas of saltwater and freshwater together:
Total water surface area = surface area of saltwater + surface area of freshwater = 352,000,000 km² + 9 x 10^6 km² = 3.61 x 10^8 km² (approximately)
Therefore, approximately 3.61 x 10^8 km² of the Earth's surface is covered by water, including both saltwater and freshwater.