Here’s something I actually had seldom thought about: what is the equator? Generally, it is “the intersection of the surface of a rotating sphere with the plane that is perpendicular to the sphere’s axis of rotation and midway between its poles.
“The latitude of the Earth’s equator is by definition 0° (zero degrees) of arc. In the cycle of Earth’s seasons, the plane of the equator passes through the Sun twice per year: at the March and September equinoxes. To an observer on the Earth, the Sun appears to travel North or South over [it]… at these times. Light rays from the center of the Sun are perpendicular to the surface of the Earth at the point of solar noon on the Equator.”
There are several countries that cross the imaginary line. Starting at the Prime Meridian and heading east:
In Africa: São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia
In Asia: Indonesia, several times, including Sumatra and Borneo
Oceania: Passing between Aranuka and Nonouti atolls, Kiribati (at 0°0′N 173°40′E)
In South America: Ecuador (of course!), Colombia, Brazil
Interestingly to me, Equatorial Guinea is NOT touched by the line. It gets as close as 3°45′N 8°47′E.
National Geographic provides more facts:
The Earth is widest at its Equator. The distance around the Earth at the Equator, its circumference, is 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles).
The Earth’s diameter is also wider at the Equator, creating a phenomenon called an equatorial bulge… The Earth’s diameter at the Equator is about 12,756 kilometers (7,926 miles). At the poles, the diameter is about 12,714 kilometers (7,900 miles). The Earth’s equatorial bulge is about 43 kilometers (27 miles).
The equatorial bulge means that people standing at sea level near the poles are closer to the center of the Earth than people standing at sea level near the Equator. The equatorial bulge affects the ocean, too — sea levels are slightly higher in equatorial regions than near the poles.
The equatorial bulge is created by the Earth’s rotation.
The slightly weaker gravitational pull and momentum of the spinning Earth make equatorial regions ideal places for space launches. It takes an enormous amount of energy to launch a satellite or other spacecraft out of the Earth’s atmosphere. It takes less energy (rocket fuel) to launch in lower gravity.
You surprised me Roger…thought this would be a post about the EAGLES group.
I did the Eagles LAST time! https://www.rogerogreen.com/2016/08/09/e-is-for-the-eagles/
Very informative Roger….. I had never any interest for it though 😉 Hope you don’t blame me for it ;_)
I’ll try to remember to do the group Eagles next time! I had thought of doing both, but no time. This equator info in great – did not know about the equatorial bulge!
Leslie
abcw team
Verrry interesting. A lot of information about the equator and it’s nice to know that we in the north are closer to the centre of the earth than those who gird its middle.
This is most informative for someone who cannot grasp the concept of equator 🙂
Wonderfully informative.
Very interesting …but not funny..Remember the Rowan and Martin Laugh in ?
Goldie Hawn first made her TV debut on this show, or is it a bit too early for you?
I wasn’t meaning to offend but….As soon as I wrote ‘very interesting…the ‘but not funny’ followed naturally….sorry
I’m afraid you lost me after the third paragraph although I know, more or less, where the Equator and The Tropic of Capricorn is.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I love travel and geography facts. I was surprised about Equatorial Guinea, too.
Janis
GDP
You bet your bippy I remember Laugh In.
You have my head spinning with all these equatorial facts and figures. Our world is a fascinating place for sure.
Now I know why Europe’s spaceport is in French Guiana.
Bet your bippy !
I remember that too.
Very interesting but stoopid !
He was a nice German soldier but very cynical!
Didn’t he double up as the old man on a park bench, with Ruth Buzey as the old lady?
It could be quite suggestive for those days but very funny,
Di xx
Reading all that about the equator is mindblowing!
Now that’s what I call a thorough geography lesson. Thanks for sharing!
it’s interesting what kind of landmarks countries have at their equator, if they are located there, of course. my son has been to two countries on the equator, one in S. America and one in Africa, and they make it quite touristy.