What Is the Meaning of the Equator on the Globe?

If you've ever looked at a globe, you've noticed that there is a line running around the center of the Earth. This line is known as the equator.

Definition

The equator is the line that separates the Earth into two halves: The Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.

Climate

The climate for the areas that lie on the equator is extremely hot. This is because the areas that the equator sits on are the parts of Earth most exposed to the Sun.

Skyline

Because the Northern and Southern Hemispheres have completely different skylines at night, the equator also serves as a border where the two meet.

Other Lines

The equator is also perpendicular to the International Date Line, such that combining both lines, you can cut Earth into four equal parts.

Latitude

Coordinates for latitude originate from the equator. So the higher the number is, the farther from the equator it is.

References

• Equator Facts
• Latitude and Longitude