What is the function of the prime meridian?

Answer 1

The prime meridian is the arbitrary zero (0) line of longitude. It extends from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, England. It divides the Earth's surface into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The zero line of latitude is a given, in the form of the equator. But for longitude, the line was agreed on at an international conference at Washington DC in 1884. The conference chose a line that had been established in 1851, and had become widely accepted internationally. France, however, continued to base its longitude on the Paris meridian until 1914, and still does on some maps.

It is the line of longitude (running North-South) at which the longitude is arbitrarily defined as 0° (zero degrees) longitude. It runs through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and GMT is based from this meridian.
The Prime Meridian (zero degrees) is a line of Longitude, that passes from the North to South Pole, passing through the Greenwich Observatory, London, UK. All other meridians (lines of longitudes) take their degrees to West and East of the Prime Meridian. It is important in navigation, and along with lines of latitude, helps to pin-point accurately any spot on the Earth's surface.
the prime meridian is at 0 degree.longitudes are defined on prime meridian. prime meridian also divides the sphere, e.g. the Earth, into two hemispheres.

Answer 2

Unlike lines of Latitude, which are of different lengths, and the longest of which, the Equator, naturally stands out, all the lines of Longitude are exactly the same: they run across the north pole to the south pole, through the equator. For the purpose of counting them, one of them had to be arbitrarily selected as a starting place.

Around 160 years ago, all the seafaring nations agreed on the place where

longitudes would be measured from. In other words, they all agreed on the

meridian that would be called "zero longitude". It became known as the Prime

Meridian, since all longitudes on earth are referenced to it and measured from it.

The modern prime meridian, based at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, was established by Sir George Airy in 1851. In this context, "prime" (like Prime Minister) means "first" or "foremost" since this was the first longitude from which the others would be calculated. The word "meridian" means noon.

Answer 3

The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line on the Earth. There is only one of it.

The Prime Meridian is the line between the north and south poles that passes

through a certain very definite point in England. By international agreement,

that line is agreed to be the line of zero longitude. When you read about the

longitude of any place on Earth, the number you read is a certain angle east

or west of the Prime Meridian.

Answer 4

the prime meridian is at 0 degree.longitudes are defined on prime meridian. prime meridian also divides the sphere, e.g. the Earth, into two hemispheres. If one uses directions of East and West from a defined prime meridian, then they can be called Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere.

Answer 5

The prime meridian is a 0 degrees line of longitude which runs across the north pole to the south pole, through the equator. The word MERIDIAN means noon.

Answer 6

The prime meridian is the meridian that defines the longitude of 0 degrees.

Answer 7

The semi-circle on the surface of the Earth that joins the north and south poles

and passes through the transit room of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich UK.

Answer 8

The prime meridian is the earth's zero of longitude.

Answer 9

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