MCQ Detailed View

The Earth can be divided into two equal halves, known as hemispheres. The line that separates the planet into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere is called the Equator. The Equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth horizontally at 0° latitude, midway between the North Pole and the South Pole.

This line is important because it provides a natural reference point for geography and climate. Regions located along the Equator receive almost equal amounts of sunlight throughout the year, which is why equatorial areas generally have warm and consistent climates. Countries such as Indonesia, Kenya, Ecuador, and Brazil lie along the Equator.

The axis of rotation is different from the Equator. The Earth rotates around its axis, which is an imaginary tilted line passing through the North Pole and South Pole. While the axis explains Earth’s day-night cycle and seasons, it does not divide Earth into hemispheres.

Similarly, the North Pole and South Pole are the extreme points of the Earth’s axis, but they are not dividing lines. They represent the ends of the planet, not the midpoint.

The Equator, on the other hand, divides the Earth into two main halves:

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  Northern Hemisphere → includes continents like North America, most of Europe, Asia, and part of Africa.

  
  


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  Southern Hemisphere → includes South America, Australia, most of Africa, and Antarctica.

  
  

This division is important in understanding global geography, navigation, climate zones, and astronomy. The Equator also plays a vital role in Earth’s rotation dynamics and helps scientists and geographers measure distances, coordinates, and map global positioning.

Therefore, the correct answer is that the Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.