Are you wondering whether Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is located in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere? Well, you have come to the right place. Let’s explore this question in detail.
Geographic Location of Madrid
Madrid is situated in the central part of Spain at an elevation of 2,178 feet (664 meters) above sea level. The city lies on the Manzanares River and is surrounded by mountain ranges such as Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, and Sierra de Albarracín.
Understanding Hemispheres
Before we delve into whether Madrid is located in the eastern or western hemisphere, let’s understand what hemispheres are. The earth is divided into two hemispheres – Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere – by the equator. Similarly, it is divided into Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere by the Prime Meridian.
The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, a suburb of London. It divides the earth into two equal halves – Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere.
Madrid’s Hemisphere
Now that we know what hemispheres are, let’s determine which hemisphere Madrid belongs to. The longitude of Madrid is 3° 42′ West. This means that it lies west of the Prime Meridian.
Therefore, Madrid is located in the Western Hemisphere.
Conclusion
To sum up, Madrid – the capital city of Spain – is situated in the Western Hemisphere. It lies west of the Prime Meridian which divides our planet into Eastern and Western hemispheres. We hope this article has answered your question regarding Madrid’s location in terms of hemispheres.
- Fun Fact: The Prime Meridian was established at an international conference held in Washington, D.C in 1884.
- Did you know: Madrid is the third-largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin.
Sources:
- “Madrid.” Encyclopædia Britannica.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web.
- “Prime Meridian.” National Geographic Society. National Geographic Society, n.