5.2 - Lat & Long

[Kristina Simon]

5.2 - Lat & Long The 0 line of longitude (prime meridian) and the 0 line of latitude (equator) both go through Africa. Read a book set on the other side of one of these lines from where you live. (Example: I live in the US, which is north of the equator and west of the prime meridian, so I could read a book set in the southern hemisphere or in the eastern longitudes.) Countries which the Prime Meridian and Equator pass through will be considered part of both hemispheres. See the
World Map and post #2 for a list of countries in each hemisphere. Required: State the country in which you live and the setting of the book if it's not mentioned in the GR's description when you post.

[Kristina Simon]

If you do not see a country listed that you are interested in reading about, please let me know so I can add it.

Northern Hemisphere
All of North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia
Explorations to the Arctic would fit here, too
Indonesia
Maldives
South America -- Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil -- Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
The equator splits Africa nearly in half. Refer to this map to see if the African country your book is set in is in the Northern or the Southern Hemisphere: Map of Africa

Southern Hemisphere
All of Australia and Antarctica
South America -- Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil -- Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay
Indonesia
Maldives
The equator splits Africa nearly in half. Refer to this map to see if the African country your book is set in is in the Northern or the Southern Hemisphere: Map of Africa

Eastern Hemisphere
All of Asia and Australia
Antartica
Europe - EXCEPT Portugal and Ireland
Africa - EXCEPT Morocco, Western Sahara, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Libera

Western Hemisphere
All of North America and South America
Antartica
Parts of Europe - UK, France, Spain -- Portugal and Ireland
Parts of Africa - Algeria, Ghana -- Morocco, Western Sahara, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Libera

[Kristina Simon]

placeholder

[Lahni]

The map of Africa link isn't working.

[Cindy AL]

OK, just checking to be certain I'm interpreting correctly.

The Prime Meridian was drawn through Greenwich, England, therefore anyone regardless of their location can use a book set in England, Scotland or France because those countries are crossed by the Prime Meridian. Ireland and Portugal, though, are entirely within the Western Hemisphere, just west of the PM.

For a North American reader, the book does NOT have to be in both the Eastern and Southern Hemisphere, just one of the other...all correct?

[Jody]

Bruchko
I live in the Northern Hemisphere. This book is set in Columbia. Since you have Columbia listed in both northern and southern hemisphere i should be ok to read this as a southern hemisphere book. Correct?

[Christina]

Would Up Over Down Under work for a book set in Australia?

[Kristina Simon]

Lahni wrote: "The map of Africa link isn't working."

Thanks, Lahni. It should be fixed now.

[Kristina Simon]

Cindy AL wrote: "OK, just checking to be certain I'm interpreting correctly.

The Prime Meridian was drawn through Greenwich, England, therefore anyone regardless of their location can use a book set in England, Sc..."

You've got it! ;o)

[Kristina Simon]

Jody wrote: "Bruchko
I live in the Northern Hemisphere. This book is set in Columbia. Since you have Columbia listed in both northern and southern hemisphere i should be ok to read this as a sou..."

Correct.

[Kristina Simon]

Christina wrote: "Would Up Over Down Under work for a book set in Australia?"

As long as the book is set at least 1/2 the time in Australia, it will work.

[Bea]

I am finding this one hard to think through. I live in USA. So I am in the Northern hemisphere and the Western hemisphere.

So, I should select a book that is either in the Southern Hemisphere - below the equator or in the Eastern Hemisphere - east of the prime meridian. Correct?

Then I could fit in the The African Queen here as it is in the Eastern Hemisphere (east of the Prime Meridian) and it doesn't matter that it is set in Central Africa above the equator. Right?

[Kristina Simon]

Bea wrote: "I am finding this one hard to think through. I live in USA. So I am in the Northern hemisphere and the Western hemisphere.

So, I should select a book that is either in the Southern Hemisphere -..."

Right, Bea. You should select a book that is either in the Southern Hemisphere - below the equator or in the Eastern Hemisphere - east of the prime meridian.

Wikipedia says The African Queen is set in Central Africa, which lies entirely east of the prime meridian. So, yes, that book will work for you.

Just a note so people aren't confused, though -- parts of Africa (the northern coastal region) do lie west of the prime meridian. So be careful.... ;o)

[Tineke]

So I live in the Northern hemisphere (The Netherlands.)
That means I can read a book set in the Southern, Eastern or Western hemisphere? For example The help - Kathryn Stockett which takes place in Jackson, Mississippi?
How come North America is in the Northern and Western hemisphere?

[Rosemary]

I'm confused too! I live in the UK and the East/West meridian goes through the UK. So does that mean I can read a book set anywhere (on Earth)? .. because I could read from either the Eastern or Western hemisphere?

Or, since I personally live West of the line, should I limit it to a book that is set in either Eastern or Southern hemispheres and exclude the North-West quarter?

[Dee]

ok USA so reading a book set in South AFrica...

[Bea]

Tineke, a hemisphere divides the world in half, so everyone lives either north or south of the equator and east or west of the Prime Meridian.

[Kristina Simon]

Tineke wrote: "So I live in the Northern hemisphere (The Netherlands.)
That means I can read a book set in the Southern, Eastern or Western hemisphere? For example The help - Kathryn Stockett which takes place i..."

The equator splits the world into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The prime meridian (and the 180 degree line of longitude) splits it into the Eastern and the Western hemispheres. Here's a map that shows how this works.

You are correct that the Netherlands is in the Northern hemisphere, but it is also in the Eastern hemisphere (because it is east of the prime meridian). The US is west of the prime meridian, so it lies in the Western hemisphere. So, if you want to read a book set in the US for this task, you can.

[Kristina Simon]

Rosemary wrote: "I'm confused too! I live in the UK and the East/West meridian goes through the UK. So does that mean I can read a book set anywhere (on Earth)? .. because I could read from either the Eastern or We..."

Technically, you could. But it would be a lot more fun to read a book set in either the Southern hemisphere or the Eastern latitudes, wouldn't it? ;o)

[Kristina Simon]

Dee wrote: "ok USA so reading a book set in South AFrica..."

That would certainly work.

[Dee]

thought so, but my brain is fried right now

[Rosemary]

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "I'm confused too! I live in the UK and the East/West meridian goes through the UK. So does that mean I can read a book set anywhere (on Earth)? .. because I could read from either ..."

Technically, you could. But it would be a lot more fun to read a book set in either the Southern hemisphere or the Eastern latitudes, wouldn't it? ;o)

Yes and I probably will do that, but I like to know just in case! ;-)

[Amanda B.]

Oh this is too much thinking this late at night! LOL If I live in the US can a book set in India work? I'm confused at that moment, sorry been a long week. I'm thinking of putting Life of Pi here. I think it works but unfortunately my brain is fried. :)

[Kristina Simon]

Amanda B. wrote: "Oh this is too much thinking this late at night! LOL If I live in the US can a book set in India work? I'm confused at that moment, sorry been a long week. I'm thinking of putting Life of ..."</i>

From what I remember, most of [book:Life of Pi actually occurs in the ocean. He starts in India and travels across the Pacific. Since the book begins and is set at least half the time in the eastern latitudes, it will indeed work.

[Amanda B.]

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "Amanda B. wrote: "Oh this is too much thinking this late at night! LOL If I live in the US can a book set in India work? I'm confused at that moment, sorry been a long week. I'm thinking of putt..."

Yea! :)

[Melanie]

hahaha Its so funny how confusing this task is. lol

I am in Australia so Southern and Eastern Hemisphere so I could read a book based in the Northern or Western hemisphere or the UK? Is that right?

Im thinking a Sookie Stackhouse (USA) book as I still have 2 on my shelf.

[Kristina Simon]

Melanie wrote: "hahaha Its so funny how confusing this task is. lol

I am in Australia so Southern and Eastern Hemisphere so I could read a book based in the Northern or Western hemisphere or the UK? Is that rig..."

Yes, books set in the UK or in the US would work for you.

[Melanie]

Thanks so much Kristi.

[Nicki]

I live in the US - so the southern hemisphere and I am thinking about using The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency becasue it is set in Botswana.

[Kristina Simon]

Nicki wrote: "I live in the US - so the southern hemisphere and I am thinking about using The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency becasue it is set in Botswana."

That works....

[Cindie]

Ok so I live in the US. Can I read THe Rooftops of Iran or Snow by Orhan Pamuk for this task?

[Kristina Simon]

Cindie wrote: "Ok so I live in the US. Can I read THe Rooftops of Iran or Snow by Orhan Pamuk for this task?"

You can. Both Turkey and Iran are east of the Prime Meridian so either one will work.

[Aneeqah]

I live in the US, so could I read Die for Me by Amy Plum?

[Kristina Simon]

Aneeqah wrote: "I live in the US, so could I read Die for Me by Amy Plum?"

Paris is east of the Prime Meridian (and the PM goes through France) so, yes, this will work.

[Sheila]

Hi Kristi,

I am reading The Paris Wife for this task but thought I should ask you if enough of it takes place in Paris and Spain to count for this task. It starts out in the US but seems to mostly take place in Paris and Spain. I live in the US so I'm hoping this works for this task. Thanks

[Kristina Simon]

Sheila wrote: "Hi Kristi,

I am reading The Paris Wife for this task but thought I should ask you if enough of it takes place in Paris and Spain to count for this task. It starts out in the US but..."

As long as most of it (at least 50%) takes place in France and Spain, it will work.

PS -- This one's been on my TBR shelf since it came to my attention last season. I hope to get to it soon. Let me know what you think..... ;-)

[Sheila]

Thanks Kristi. I am learning a lot more about Hemingway. All I remember about him is that I HAD to read Old Man and the Sea back in high school when I didn't like to read!

[Kristina Simon]

Sheila wrote: "Thanks Kristi. I am learning a lot more about Hemingway. All I remember about him is that I HAD to ready Old Man and the Sea back in high school when I didn't like to read!"

LOL... I never really got into what they MADE me read in school. I like to read what I want to read when I want to read it ;-).

I became fascinated with Hemingway after visiting his house in Key West, but I think I really covet his cats, his writing studio, and his lifestyle more than his writing (although I like that well enough, too) ;-).....