What is the significance of the Equator and the Prime Meridian in geography?

• A. The Equator marks the starting line for measuring longitude.
• B. The Equator divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres, while the Prime Meridian divides east and west and serves as the reference for longitude.
• C. The Equator determines time zones, and the Prime Meridian determines climate zones.
• D. They are obsolete lines with no current geographic use.

Answer: (B)

Understanding geography's global grid helps explain where places are on Earth. The Equator is the line at 0° latitude that runs around the middle of the planet and divides it into northern and southern hemispheres. The Prime Meridian is the line at 0° longitude that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and serves as the main reference line for measuring how far east or west a location is. Together, they establish the starting points for latitude and longitude used to locate any place on a map or with a GPS. Some statements mix up roles: time zones and climate zones are not defined by these lines—the Prime Meridian is used for longitude, while time zones are influenced by political boundaries and longitude, and climate zones depend on latitude and other factors. These lines still matter for navigation, maps, and global coordinates.