The Equator monument, Equator monument in Pontianak, Indonesia
The Equator monument consists of four ironwood posts measuring 30 centimeters across, with the front pair rising about three meters and the rear pair reaching over four meters. The pillars stand on a flat site along the Kapuas riverbank, surrounded by paved paths and green lawns that allow access.
A Dutch geographer led an international expedition to Pontianak in 1928 to determine the precise equator point and erected the first marker. Later renovations replaced the original posts and expanded the site with additional facilities for visitors.
The structure carries a circular plate bearing the Dutch inscription EVENAAR, marking the equatorial line. Visitors come here to take photographs while standing on both hemispheres at once, making the location's position directly tangible.
The site lies about three kilometers north of central Pontianak and can be reached by road or by boat along the Kapuas. The area is open daily, and a visit typically takes 20 to 30 minutes for photos and a brief walk around.
Twice a year, around March 21 to 23 and September 21 to 23, the structure casts no shadow because the sun stands directly overhead at noon. This phenomenon draws onlookers who want to witness the moment with their own eyes.
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