What is the significance of the Prime Meridian in geography?.

The Prime Meridian, located at 0° longitude, is significant in geography for several reasons:

Key Facts

• Established in 1884: The Prime Meridian was internationally adopted at the International Meridian Conference.
• Global Reference: It serves as the starting point for measuring longitude, which is essential for navigation.
• Time Zones: It helps define Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the world's various time zones.
• Geographical Coordinates: It assists in the mapping and understanding of Earth's geography by providing a standard reference.

Examples or Use Cases

• Navigation: Used in GPS technology to determine precise locations.
• Timekeeping: Affects daylight saving time adjustments across different regions.

FAQs

• Why was the Prime Meridian chosen? The Prime Meridian was chosen mainly for practical navigation purposes, centralizing global timekeeping and mapping.
• How does it relate to the International Date Line? The International Date Line, located at approximately 180° longitude, is directly opposite the Prime Meridian, marking the point where the date changes.