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Western Hemisphere

Definition

The Western Hemisphere is a geographical term for the half of Earth which lies west of the prime meridian (which crosses Greenwich, London) and east of the antimeridian.

Analogy

Think of a pizza cut into two halves. If we consider one specific line as our reference (like how we use Greenwich), then everything on one side of that line is considered as part of the Western Hemisphere.

Related terms

Eastern Hemisphere: This is everything on the other side of that imaginary pizza-cutting line - east of Greenwich and west of its opposite point.

Equator: An imaginary line drawn around the middle of Earth, equally distant from both poles. Like wearing a belt in middle position on your waist.

Prime Meridian: The earth's zero degrees longitude line, passing through Greenwich in London. It’s like drawing a vertical line down at center in your pizza to divide it into two equal halves.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.