Does a line of latitude or a line of longitude divide the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres? This is an easy one but I just want to double check. The answer is a line of latitude. Right?
You're right.
Yes, you are correct! A line of latitude is what divides the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. To understand why, let's go through the explanation.
Lines of latitude, also known as parallels, are imaginary lines that run horizontally around the Earth parallel to the Equator. The Equator itself is the line of latitude located exactly at the midpoint between the North Pole and the South Pole.
When we refer to the Northern Hemisphere, we are talking about the half of the Earth that is located north of the Equator. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere represents the half of the Earth that is located south of the Equator.
So, a line of latitude serves as the boundary between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. When you cross a line of latitude while moving from south to north, you transition from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere.
In contrast, lines of longitude, also known as meridians, run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole, meeting at the poles. These lines divide the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres, with the prime meridian (located in Greenwich, England) serving as the reference point for measuring longitude.
Great job double-checking your understanding! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!