Defining the Western Hemisphere To answer the question directly, the Western Hemisphere is the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and east of the 180° meridian. Both continents are primarily positioned in the Northern Hemisphere (the half of the Earth north of the Equator) or straddle it.
How Hemisphere Location Affects the Americas' Climate Patterns
This hemisphere includes not only the continents of North and South America but also significant portions of the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and parts of Antarctica. A small portion of the northernmost region, specifically the San Andrés and Providencia islands belonging to Colombia, technically falls into the Northern Hemisphere, but the vast majority of the landmass resides in the west.
The continent spans a vast longitudinal range, from the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean in the north to the tropical climates of Central America. Summary of Geographic Placement Continent Primary Hemisphere (Longitude) Position Relative to Equator North America Western Hemisphere Primarily Northern South America Western Hemisphere Straddles Northern and Southern Geographically, the placement of North and South America within the Western Hemisphere underscores their shared environment and historical trajectory.
How Hemisphere Location Influences Climate Across the Americas
South America has a significant portion of its territory, including the Amazon rainforest, lying in the Southern Hemisphere, but its northern edge crosses the Equator, placing the entire continent in the Western Hemisphere regardless of its north-south position. North America's Hemisphere Position North America is almost entirely situated within the Western Hemisphere, with its westernmost point, Attu Island in Alaska, crossing the 180th meridian into the Eastern Hemisphere.
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