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Hemispheres of Earth

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

The Earth is a giant, round ball. We can split this globe into two equal halves. These two halves are called hemispheres.

Mappemonde spheroidale
Mappemonde spheroidale

Scientists and map makers use these halves to study our world. They use them to look at how people live. They also use them to see how land is spread out.

Primemeridian
Primemeridian

One way to divide the Earth uses special lines. The Equator is a line that runs around the middle. It splits the world into northern and southern halves.

1838 Bradford Map of the World on Polar Projection ( Northern and Southern Hemispheres ) - Geographicus - NorthernHemisphere-bradford-1838
1838 Bradford Map of the World on Polar Projection ( Northern and Southern Hemispheres ) - Geographicus - NorthernHemisphere-bradford-1838

Another line is called the Prime meridian. This line splits the Earth into western and eastern halves. These lines help us find our way on a map. They help us group different parts of the world together.

People do not always use lines to split the Earth. Sometimes they divide the globe in other ways. They might split it by different cultures. They might even use religion to make divisions.

Map of the World
Map of the World

Other times, they use big geographic features. This helps them show certain parts of the Earth more clearly. It is a way to organize how we see the planet.

We can also split the Earth by land and water. The Land Hemisphere has the most land possible. It is centered near the city of Nantes, France.

PSM V06 D237 Earth as seen from the sun in two consecutive days
PSM V06 D237 Earth as seen from the sun in two consecutive days

This half includes most of the world's continents. The Water Hemisphere is different. It is centered in the South Pacific Ocean. This half includes the Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans.

Different places fit into these halves in different ways. For example, Africa has no latitudinal hemisphere. North America is in the western longitudinal hemisphere. Antarctica is in the southern latitudinal hemisphere. The Pacific Ocean is in the western longitudinal hemisphere. The Arctic Ocean is in the northern latitudinal hemisphere. Knowing these halves helps us understand our big, amazing home.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Primemeridian.jpg
Primemeridian.jpg
File:Map of the World.jpg
Map of the World.jpg
File:1838 Bradford Map of the World on Polar Projection ( Northern and Southern Hemispheres ) - Geographicus - NorthernHemisphere-bradford-1838.jpg
1838 Bradford Map of the World on Polar...
File:Mappemonde spheroidale.jpg
Mappemonde spheroidale.jpg
File:PSM V06 D237 Earth as seen from the sun in two consecutive days.jpg
PSM V06 D237 Earth as seen from the sun...
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