Half of the Earth, divided either north-south by the equator or east-west by the Prime Meridian.
climateWhat is Hemisphere?
The Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience opposite seasons because the Earth is tilted 23.5° on its axis. Most of Southeast Asia lies in the Northern Hemisphere, but Indonesia straddles both hemispheres. This is why Indonesia can have wet season in the south (December-March) while the north is drier. The Coriolis effect reverses between hemispheres, making cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the north and clockwise in the south.
Key points
- Half of the Earth, divided either north-south by the equator or east-west by the Prime Meridian.
- Category: climate
Related terms
See also: hemisphere is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.