180th meridian, Geographic meridian crossing through Taveuni Island, Fiji
The 180th meridian is an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole that separates the Eastern and Western hemispheres. It crosses the Pacific Ocean, passes near Taveuni in Fiji and touches parts of the Russian Chukotka Peninsula and Antarctica.
The conference in Washington in 1884 established this meridian as the counterpart to the Prime Meridian in Greenwich. Its route was later adjusted slightly by the International Date Line to avoid political borders and island groups.
Local communities on Taveuni have placed markers inviting visitors to stand with one foot on each side of the meridian. This simple marker is often photographed and makes the abstract boundary between hemispheres feel tangible.
On Taveuni, signs point the way to spots where the line is marked, usually near accessible roads or paths. The markers are typically outdoors and require no special preparation for a brief visit.
Three roads in the remote Chukotka region cross this meridian on solid ground, creating geographic points where the hemisphere boundary runs over land. These crossings lie far from tourist routes and are mostly known only to locals.
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