Kiribati in the central Pacific Ocean is the only country in the world that is situated in all four hemispheres. It comprises 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island spread across the equator. These extend into the northern and southern hemispheres as well as the western and eastern hemispheres. Did you know the Kiritimati Atoll with a circumference of nearly 150km is the largest island of coral formation in the world?
The nation of Kiribati is comprised of a single solitary island as well as 32 atolls spread out across three groups of islands: the Gilbert Islands that consist of 16 atolls as well as the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands each composed of 8 atolls. Only 21 of the nation’s atolls have people living within them. Kiribati’s position is unique since both the equator and the antemeridian cross through its territory. The Phoenix Islands and Banaba are located to the south of the equator which places them in the southern hemisphere while the Gilbert Islands are found in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Kiribati has dominion over eight of the 11 islands that make up the Line Islands, and the International Date Line crosses through the islands.
The hemispheres of the world are an essential tool primarily in the study of global climate. Dividing the world into two allows scientists to study the areas independently as well as reduce the bulk of the material being examined. The climate of one hemisphere is analyzed in relation the other hemispheres and scientists can make more informed conclusions from their research.
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