11-11-2016, 11:53 AM
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A great circle divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. That circle is
referenced by two Meridians.
The Prime Meridian is the line of longitude at which longitude is defined to be 0°.
All countries located to the east of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) are in the Eastern
Hemisphere, while countries west of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) are in the Western
Hemisphere.
The Prime Meridian intersects eight (8) countries, (shown to the left) and those countries are
therefore in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
They Include:
Algeria, Burkino Faso, Ghana, France, Mali, Spain, Togo, and the United Kingdon (UK)
The 180th Meridian, on the opposite side of the planet, is the line of longitude at which
longitude is defined to be 180°.
All countries located to the east of the 180th Meridian (180° longitude) are in the Western
Hemisphere, while countries west of the 180th Meridian (180° longitude) are in the Eastern
Hemisphere.
The 180th Meridian directly intersects four (4) countries, and those countries are therefore in
both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
They Include:
Fiji, Kiribati, Russia, and the United States.
NOTES: The far western end of Alaska's Aleutian Islands are disected by the 180th Meridian,
thus putting the USA into both hemispheres. Kiribati is the only country in all four
hemispheres.
Countries in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
There are twelve (12) countries located directly on the Equator (0° latitude) and all are
therefore in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. For a printable map and list of
those countries go here!