The equator is a line that goes around the middle of the Earth. It is about 24,900 miles long and divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The equator has a latitude of 0 degrees.
People have known for a long time that the Earth is round. The ancient Greeks, like Pythagoras and Aristotle, figured this out thousands of years ago. Later on, a man named Eratosthenes was the first person to calculate the Earth’s circumference.
Some researchers believe that even pre-Inca civilizations knew about the equator. They built an observatory called Catequilla on the equator around 800 A.D. However, it wasn’t until the 1700s that the equator was accurately mapped by French scientists.
The equator is a great place for launching rockets into space. Because of the Earth’s rotation, there is lower gravity at the equator. This, along with the faster spin of the Earth, gives rockets an extra boost when they are launched from the equator.
Today, the equator passes through 13 countries. Can you name all of them in 5 minutes? Test your knowledge by taking our quiz below. The quiz will also tell you which continent or region each country is in. If you need help, there is a hint button available.
In addition to this quiz, you can also test your knowledge on other topics such as the periodic table of elements, US volcanoes, Ancient Egypt, evolution, and black holes. Challenge yourself and see how much you know!
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