180th meridian
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The 180th meridian or antimeridian is the meridian defined as 180° longitude. It is the line of longitude exactly opposite the Prime Meridian. It is common to both east longitude and west longitude. It is used as the basis for the International Date Line because it for the most part passes through the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. However, the meridian passes through a few countries as well as Antarctica.
Starting at the North Pole and heading south to the South Pole, the 180th meridian passes through:
-
Country, territory or sea Notes Arctic Ocean 
RussiaWrangel Island Chukchi Sea RussiaChukotka Autonomous Okrug Bering Sea Amchitka Pass Passing between Semisopochnoi Island and
Amatignak Island, Alaska,
United StatesPacific Ocean 
TuvaluPassing just east of Nukulaelae atoll, Pacific Ocean 
FijiIslands of Vanua Levu, Rabi, and Taveuni Pacific Ocean Southern Ocean Antarctica Ross Dependency, claimed by 
New Zealand
The meridian also passes between (but particularly close to):
- the Gilbert Islands and the Phoenix Islands islands of
Kiribati; - between North Island and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand;
- between the Bounty Islands and the Chatham Islands, also of New Zealand.
[edit] External Links
- [1], 180th meridian at MSN maps
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