3-9 The Four Hemispheres

A globe is a model of the Earth.  A globe is round because the Earth looks round like a sphere.  The globe may be divided into hemispheres.  A hemisphere is half of a sphere.  The globe may be divided into four hemispheres.

The globe may be divided along the equator, an imaginary line that runs east and west at 0 degrees latitude.  The equator divides the globe into two equal parts called the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.  The northern hemisphere is north of the equator and the southern hemisphere is south of the equator.

The globe may also be divided along the Prime Meridian.  The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole at 0 degrees longitude.  The Prime Meridian divides the globe into two equal parts called the western and eastern hemispheres.  The western hemisphere is west of the Prime Meridian.  The eastern hemisphere is east of the Prime Meridian.

Every place in the world is in two hemispheres at the same time.  For example, the continent of Europe is in the northern and eastern hemispheres.  The continent of Australia is in the southern and eastern hemispheres.  Do you know which two hemispheres your country is in?

Use the information and pictures above to complete the following statements.

1.  A is a model of the Earth.

2.  A hemisphere is half of a .

3.  The globe may be divided into hemispheres.

4.  The is the imaginary line that runs east and west on a globe.

5.  The equator divides the globe into which two hemispheres?

northern and eastern

southern and eastern

western and eastern

northern and southern

6.  The is the imaginary line that runs north and south on a globe.

7. The Prime Meridian divides the globe into which two hemispheres?

eastern and northern

eastern and western

northern and southern

western and southern

8.  Every place in the world is in hemispheres at the same time.

9.  Europe is in the and eastern hemispheres.

10.  North America is in the northern and hemispheres.