Hemisphere << HEHM uh sfihr >> is the name given to any half of the globe. It comes from a Greek word that means half a sphere. There are three main ways in which Earth is divided into hemispheres.
Geographers have not definitely established boundaries between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. But they usually draw them along the meridians of 20° west longitude and 160° east longitude. The Eastern Hemisphere, or Old World, includes the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. North America and South America are in the Western Hemisphere, or New World.
Geographers also divide Earth into hemispheres by using the equator as a boundary line. All areas north of the equator make up the Northern Hemisphere. All areas to the south make up the Southern Hemisphere.
Earth may also be divided into a Land Hemisphere and a Water Hemisphere. The Land Hemisphere includes the half of Earth with the most land. Its center lies near London, England. The other half of Earth, mostly water, makes up the Water Hemisphere. Its center lies near New Zealand.
