20th meridian east facts for kids
The 20th meridian east of Greenwich is an imaginary line that goes from the North Pole all the way to the South Pole. It passes through the Arctic Ocean, Europe, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and Antarctica.
This line is a type of longitude, which helps us find locations on Earth. Think of it like a giant, invisible line drawn on a globe.
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What is the 20th Meridian East?
A meridian is a half-circle line that connects the North Pole to the South Pole. The 20th meridian east is one of these lines. It is measured 20 degrees to the east of the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England.
Where Does it Go?
This important line travels across many different parts of our planet:
- It starts at the very top, the North Pole.
- Then it crosses the cold Arctic Ocean.
- It moves through parts of Europe.
- Next, it crosses the large continent of Africa.
- It then goes over the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
- Finally, it crosses the icy Southern Ocean and Antarctica, ending at the South Pole.
Important Borders and Boundaries
The 20th meridian east plays a role in defining several important boundaries:
- African Borders: Part of the border between Namibia and Botswana follows this meridian. It also forms part of the border between Namibia and South Africa. This means the line acts like a fence on the map.
- Ocean Boundary: This meridian is used to mark the official boundary between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. If you were sailing, crossing this line would mean you're moving from one ocean to the other!
- Antarctic Claim: In Antarctica, the meridian marks the eastern edge of an area called New Swabia. This area was once claimed by Germany.
Great Circle Connection
The 20th meridian east forms a great circle with the 160th meridian west. A great circle is the largest circle you can draw on a sphere. It divides the sphere into two equal halves. The Equator is another example of a great circle.
