TERRESTRIAL ECUADOR: CHARACTERISTICS, GEODESY, COUNTRIES, CLIMATE - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The terrestrial equator is the line that divides the planet in equal parts and whose distance is equal between the two poles: both north and south. It is more than forty thousand meters long and it is the longest line that can be made around the earth.

The terrestrial equator is also very important since it is the one that allows the division of the planet into two different hemispheres. Furthermore, from the terrestrial equator, the geographic coordinates corresponding to latitude can be established; These are measured from 0 to 90 degrees (North or South).

Imaginary line that establishes where the terrestrial equator passes. Source: Thesevenseas, via Wikimedia Commons.ecuad

The relevance of the Earth's equator has not only been determined by scientists when establishing half of planet Earth. The first indigenous communities in the area made offerings to the sun, since in the area of ​​Ecuador the sunrise and sunset occur almost vertically twice a year.

The first measurement made of the Earth's equator was in 1736. The work was in charge of a mission of French scientists with the aim of establishing the exact measurements of the globe.

This area of ​​the planet is known by several names: geodesic, mathematical equator, equatorial line, and even as zero-degree parallel, because that is where north and south begin.

Geographic and astronomical characteristics

The Earth's equator is the point that determines latitude. Therefore, along the entire line the value of this measurement is zero degrees and it serves to divide the planet into two different hemispheres: the north and the south.

The planet is said to be divided by five imaginary lines. One of those divisions is formed by the Earth's equator, which when projected into space creates a circle known as the celestial equator.

The Sun rises over the area of ​​the Earth's equator at two times of the year that are called the spring and autumn equinoxes. This usually occurs in March and September. During this period the sun's rays fall on the Earth's equator vertically.

The importance of the Earth's equator has been demonstrated in the spatial aspect because it is an area where the planet's rotation occurs at a higher speed. This has the consequence that space agencies need to use less fuel to send ships or expeditions into space.

One of the most obvious geographical features is that the Earth's equator is found mainly in the oceans. The equatorial line passes through four continents, but does not cross either Europe or Antarctica.

Geodesy

The study of the Earth's equator is closely linked to geodesy, which is one of the oldest sciences among the planet's civilizations. The most immediate purpose of geodesy is to analyze and establish the exact shape of the earth and what its measurements are.

In the middle of the 18th century, a group of French scientists was in charge of studying and defining the exact shape of the planet. The studies took almost 10 years and were carried out in Cuenca, on the equator.

There are two types of geodesies. On the one hand, the one that is in charge of analyzing broader aspects and determining the shape of the planet known as superior geodesy. On the other hand is the practice, which works in smaller areas and in areas that are believed to be flat.

Missions

For the geodetic study of the Earth's equator, the French mission was created, which was known by other names such as: geodesic mission, to the equator or Euro-French. The scientists were French, Spanish and some local. They arrived in Quito, then a colony of Spain, in 1736.

To achieve their goal of defining the shape of planet Earth, the mission scientists had to overcome all kinds of obstacles. For example, they climbed the Cotopaxi volcano, almost six thousand meters high, and the Pichincha, almost five thousand.

However, they were not well prepared to withstand the inclement weather in these areas. There were problems between the researchers and they ended up separating. Three different measurements resulted from this first expedition to explain the shape of the Earth.

This mission had a special impact on Ecuador as a nation and created a feeling of roots.

Second geodetic mission

The second expedition to determine the measurements of the Earth occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. The idea was to correct or reinforce the measures of the first trip made more than 100 years before. On this occasion, the scientists arrived in Guayaquil in June 1901.

Third and last mission

Almost 300 years after the presence of the first expedition, a group of scientists returned to Ecuador with the aim of measuring the summit of Chimborazo.

In general terms, the shape of the Earth evolved over the years and thanks to each expedition for this purpose.

Countries through which it passes

The Earth's equator crosses a little more than 10 countries in the world. It corresponds to only 6% of sovereign nations recognized by the United Nations (UN).

In total, there are three countries from the American continent, seven from Africa, another two countries that are part of Asia and only one from Oceania. Which gives the following 13 nations: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Kiribati, Kenya, Maldives, Somalia, Indonesia, Sao Tome and Principe, the Democratic Congo and Congo, Gabon and Uganda.

In the end, all these countries end up sharing some characteristics despite being in different parts of the world. They have more or less stable temperatures throughout the year or long periods of rain.

In places like Ecuador, the line runs from the Andes to the Amazon. In Brazil it passes close to the border with Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana.

Gabon has been characterized by its rich natural resources and is full of rain forests. Kenya, for example, is highly sought after to visit the sign where the 0º latitude point was established. While Kiribati would be the smallest country to be crossed by the Earth's equator.

Climate and Ecuador relationship

The climatic characteristics of this area of ​​the planet are usually quite strong. The presence of rains is very common throughout the year, although it is a conflictive area because it goes from storms to tranquility very easily.

According to scientists and explorers, these climatic variations respond to the fact that it is along the Earth's equator that the air currents of the northern hemisphere meet those of the southern hemisphere. This convergence of currents is what causes storms due to the constant formation of clouds.

This area lacks climatic seasons typical of other regions with more temperate or polar characteristics. We usually speak of climatic periods that are practically based on times of great rain or absolute drought. Being the periods of rain much more extensive or even constant.

The sites or countries that are close to the Earth's equator can observe characteristics similar to those that are lived in this imaginary line. Weather conditions can change based on other factors such as the proximity of the oceans or elevation above sea level.

Meteorologists have been in charge of studying these areas and their characteristics. They usually refer to equatorial areas when the temperature does not vary more than two degrees Celsius throughout the year. A change greater than that already occurs in territories known as tropical.

In general lines, in the terrestrial equator the zones are of low pressure. The high temperatures felt in this area, specifically north of the zero degree parallel, were called the thermal equator.

Curiosities

American Amelia Earhart, famous for crossing the Atlantic alone, was also recognized for being the first person to attempt to go around the world in a plane. Earhart's idea was to make her trip following the coordinates of the equator. In the end, the attempt ended in catastrophe and Earhart died. Her remains were never found.

Various studies have established that the Ecuador line is not where it says. There is a distance of more than 200 meters from the site that was established during the 18th century to the actual location.

Scientists have recognized that on the Earth's equator the weight is less than other parts of the world. This phenomenon occurs due to gravity, since bodies are at a greater distance from the center of the Earth. That is, a person on the Earth's equator can think between 200 and 500 grams less than in other areas closer to the poles.

Although the Earth's equator is always referred to as a line, scientists have worked for years to determine that it really is a band. The Earth's equator can be approximately five kilometers wide.

Names

The name Ecuador has been used to define a South American country and to speak of the line that divides the planet into two equal parts. Although you might believe otherwise, the American nation was named after the imaginary line.

The term Ecuador comes from Latin, where the word aequator was used to refer to situations of level, balance or parity.

References

1. Martínez, Vicent J. Fundamental Astronomy. University of Valencia, 2005.
2. Mellado, Francisco de Paula, and Francisco de Paula Mellado. Modern Encyclopedia. Mellado Typesetting Establishment, 1864.
3. Montenegro, Antonio de. Elements Of Astronomical And Physical Geography. Printing of DE Aguado…, 1828.
4. Patxot and Ferrer, Fernando. The Heroes And The Greatnesses Of The Earth. Cuesta, 1856.
5. Paz Soldan, Mateo, and Mariano Felipe Paz Soldan. Compendium Of Mathematical, Physical And Political Geography. Libr. From Fermin Didot Brothers and Sons, 1863.