What divides the Earth into the east and west hemisphere?

The Prime Meridian divides our planet into Eastern and Western hemispheres, just like the equator determines Northern and Southern hemispheres.The Prime Meridian locates at 0 degrees longitude, just as the equator does at 0 degrees latitude. Actually, the International Date Line is supposed to be at longitude 180 degrees, but it varies quite a distance for political reasons.

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

79 Comments

Bill Coe

Really hard to believe that it is possible that 1/3 of the people got this wrong, and that 30% felt the equator divided the earth east/west. I really wonder about our educational systems.

James Vetzel

Being an Old Sailor, I'm a "Golden Shellback" Crossing at 0 and 180 way back in 1972. I was homeported in GUAM at the time, going to New Zealand on the USS Knox (DE-1052)

Phillip Adside

Learned that one in I believe 6th grade social studies.

Val Wilkinson

Bernd Rittersporn, Jas Newman, do you really think that Scotland, Ireland. Spain et al are particularly in the eastern hemisphere? To be honest, I cross the greenwich meridian virtually every day. It does not define anyone in international politics, in culture... it's a geographic and time zone issue only

Denis Wittman

Sometimes thr other answers are so wrong that you got the answer and sometimes the art /photo gives you the answer.

Val Wilkinson

jgklr, simplistic view. Much of Britain, much of Europe is in the western hemisphere- much in the east. do you really think that Scotland, Ireland. Spain et al would be particularly in the eastern hemisphere? Holland in the west - or east? To be honest, with where I live (in Sussex, England) I cross the greenwich meridian virtually every day. It does not define anyone in international politics, in culture... it's a geographic and time zone issue only. Hope that helps...

Albeck1994

Bernd Rittersporn, well they are as is a large portion of England . What is your issue with that.

DannyBoy

My neighbors fence? lol. Got it.

Richard Rubright

So, the Iberian Peninsula and West Africa are in the Western Hemisphere? You have a lot of nerve marking the Atlantic Ocean wrong.

deborahpmercer

Runs through (and is marked) a town very near me.

pwaffle

James Vetzel, Thanks for your service, Marks, P USMC

Wayne Roberts

Bill Coe, Maybe Flat Earthers?????

robert karel

Elizabeth Tessa Schoeman Biagio, lucky guy your husband. He married gorgeous!

robert karel

Bill Coe, how is it you know that 1/3 of all people who played this quiz were wrong? I’m sure most people were taught this in school, but, perhaps because it’s not something they use on a daily basis, have forgotten. Don’t take this so seriously, this is just for fun. Have some!