Ever looked at a map and wondered about those imaginary lines dividing the world? The prime meridian, for instance, slices through the globe, creating an Eastern and a Western Hemisphere. It’s a simple concept, but it makes you think about where everything actually sits.
When we talk about continents mostly in the Western Hemisphere, two names immediately spring to mind: North America and South America. These two landmasses are pretty much entirely on the western side of that dividing line. Think about it – from the icy reaches of Canada down to the tip of Patagonia, it’s all west of the prime meridian.
It’s interesting to note that while most of North and South America are firmly in the West, other continents have a foot in both worlds, or are predominantly in the East. Africa, for example, straddles the prime meridian, with a significant portion in the East and a smaller part in the West. Europe is also largely in the Eastern Hemisphere, though its westernmost islands dip into the West.
Antarctica is a bit of a special case. It’s a continent that stretches across both hemispheres, with a significant portion in the East and a narrower region in the West. And then there’s Australia, which is almost entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere, though its very westernmost edges might technically brush the Western Hemisphere depending on the exact demarcation.
But for those continents that are mostly or completely in the Western Hemisphere, North and South America are the clear frontrunners. It’s a geographical tidbit that helps us orient ourselves on our amazing planet, reminding us of the vast, interconnected, yet distinctly divided, landscapes we inhabit.
