Equator
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The '''equator''' is an imaginary circle drawn around a planet (or other astronomical object) at a distance halfway between the poles. The equator divides the planet into a Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The latitude of the equator is, by definition, 0°. The length of Earth's equator is about 40,075.0 kilometre|km, or 24,901.5 mile|miles.
The equator is one of the five main circles of latitude based on the relationship of the Earth's rotation and plane of orbit around the sun. Additionally, the equator is the only line of latitude which is also a great circle
The Sun, in its seasonal movement through the sky, passes directly over the equator twice each year on the vernal point|Vernal and autumnal equinox|Autumnal Equinoxes, which occur in March and September (respectively). At the equator, the rays of the sun are perpendicular to the surface of the earth on these dates.
Places near the equator experience the quickest rates of sunrise and sunset in the world, taking minutes. Such places also have a relatively constant amount of day/night time on every day throughout the year compared with more northerly or southerly places.
Equatorial climate
In many Tropics|tropical regions people identify two seasons, wet and dry, but most places very close to the equator are wet throughout the year, although seasons can vary depending on a variety of factors including elevation and proximity to an ocean.
The surface of the Earth at the equator is mainly ocean.
The highest point on the Equator is 4,690 m, at 77° 59' 31" W on the south slopes of Cayambe (volcano)|Volcán Cayambe (summit 5,790 m) in Ecuador. This is a short distance above the snow line, and is the only point on the Equator where snow lies on the ground (Google Earth satellite data and photos).
Equatorial countries
The equator traverses the land and/or water of 13 country|countries in total:
São Tomé and Príncipe - passing through Ilhéu das Rolas, an islet in this archipelago
Gabon
Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Uganda
Kenya
Somalia
Maldives - misses every island, passing between Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Gnaviyani Atoll
Indonesia
Sumatra - also small islands Tanah Masa to the West and Lingga to the East
Borneo - Kalimantan
Sulawesi
Halmahera - also small islands Kayoa to the West and Gebe to the East
Kawe, a small island near Waigeo - and other islets throughout Indonesia
Kiribati - misses every island
Gilbert Islands - passing between Aranuka and Nonouti Atolls
Line Islands - passing between Kiritimati Island and Malden Island, though neither is very close to the equator
Ecuador
Galapagos Islands - passing through Isabela Island.
Mainland Ecuador
Colombia
Brazil
See also
Thermal equator
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