Equator

The equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth, dividing it into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. It is located at 0 degrees latitude and is the longest line of latitude on the Earth's surface.

Key Facts about the Equator

• Location: The equator is located at 0 degrees latitude.
• Length: It is approximately 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles) long.
• Climate: Areas near the equator generally have a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity.
• Effect on Day Length: Near the equator, day and night are almost equal in length throughout the year.
• Effect on Seasons: The equator experiences minimal variation in the length of days and nights and has relatively consistent temperatures, so it does not have distinct seasons like regions farther from the equator.

Study Guide

To understand the equator better, consider the following study guide questions:

1. What is the significance of the equator in dividing the Earth's hemispheres?
2. How does the location of the equator affect the climate in the regions it passes through?
3. Explain the impact of the equator on day length and the absence of distinct seasons in equatorial regions.
4. Compare and contrast the characteristics of regions near the equator with those farther away in terms of climate and day length.
5. Discuss the importance of the equator in understanding global weather patterns and ocean currents.