What is the Prime Meridian? A Brief Guide with Example
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What is the Prime Meridian?
The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole at zero degrees longitude.
It passes through Greenwich, England, which is why it’s sometimes called the Greenwich Meridian.
Why is it Important?
The Prime Meridian is the starting point for measuring longitude east and west around the globe.
It also serves as the basis for the world’s time zones, with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) set at this line.
Example: Using the Prime Meridian
If you stand exactly on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, your longitude is 0°.
Places to the east have positive longitudes (e.g., 30°E), and places to the west have negative longitudes (e.g., 30°W).
For example, Paris, France is about 2°E, meaning it is 2 degrees east of the Prime Meridian.
Summary
The Prime Meridian is essential for navigation and timekeeping as the global zero longitude reference.
