The Equator is an imaginary line that cuts the world into half. Some interesting facts.
At approximately 40,075 kms in length, the equator passes through three oceans and four continents. Prime Meridian is the name of the line that divides it into Eastern and Western Hemispheres. It starts at the North Pole and together with the International Date Line, forms a circle dividing the world into East and West. It intersects the Equator in the Atlantic Ocean. One of the most famous locations of Prime Meridian is at Greenwich in London. Greenwich Mean time is the starting point of all world’s time zones
These two lines of Prime Meridian meet at Zero degrees latitude and longitude at place called the Null Island. However, it is not a landmass, rather it is a region that belongs to the international waters. Located in the Gulf of Guinea, located 611 kms South of Ghana and 1978 kms West of Gabon.
Located on the islet of Llheu das Rolas, the Pestana Equador is an unique beach resort where one can find a small monument that marks the Equator line. One can place foot each on the two sides of the Equator, and claim that he or she standing in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, at the same time. Sao Tome Principle one of the smallest African nations houses the Pestana Equador.
Passing through West Africa, Central Africa & East Africa, the Equator straddles seven African Nations, the most of any continent. The Congolian rain forest is the world’s second largest tropical rain forest after the Amazon: spans 5 African Nations- Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.
The city of Kismu’s claim of fame is its proximity to the Equator. It is Kenya’s third largest city after Nairobi and Mombassa. Formerly known as Port Florence, it is nicknamed a ‘Millennium City’ by the United Nations. Located in the Lake Victoria basin, the city is the transportation hub of the region.
Part of the town of Jamane, Somalia is located directly on the Equator. The Equatorial climate has greatly contributed to its agricultural sector. Located in the Horn of Africa, Somalia is also known for having the longest coastline among African Nations.
Due to great amount of thrust, some rockets are launched from the Equator. For this reason, the island of Gan, of Addu Atoll has been chosen as a rocket launch. Nonetheless, the Equator line does not actually pass through Gan island as the island is located slightly south of the Equator, but the Equator does pass through the territorial waters of Maldives and Gan is the southernmost island of Maldives.
Located in the island of Borneo, Pontianak, Indonesia is a city situated on the Equator, hence its nickname ‘Equatorial City’. Its strategic location is marked by the Equator monument that is located in the city center, including both land and sea. The island of Borneo is the world’s third largest island after Greenland and New Guinea. This island is shared by three countries- Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The territorial water of this island nation of Kiribati, located in Oceania, lie of the Equator. This island nation is also known for being the only country in the world that has lands on all four hemispheres on Earth. It was once a nuclear weapon test site.
Ecuador is the Spanish word for Equator. It passes just to the north of Capital Quito. At the local museum a monument marks the place where the Equator passes through the country. The usual pose is straddling the line with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and other in the Southern.
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