What is the significance of the prime meridian in geography?

The prime meridian is significant in geography because it serves as the reference line from which longitudes are measured, effectively dividing the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres. This imaginary line is located at 0 degrees longitude and runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, passing through Greenwich, England. The division it creates is crucial for navigation, mapping, and understanding global geography, as it provides a consistent frame of reference for time zones and geographic coordinates.

The prime meridian assists in establishing a global grid system that helps in locating places on the Earth's surface. This grid system consists of lines of latitude and longitude, where latitude lines run parallel to the equator and longitude lines run from pole to pole. Understanding this division is essential for various applications in geography, including travel, international relations, and scientific research.