The well-known Greenwich Meridian is the one from which all kinds of lengths can be measured. It is that imaginary circumference that joins the poles. Its name comes from the fact that it crosses the Greenwich district of the City of London. We find out more about this meridian and what part of Spain it passes through.
In our country it passes specifically through the province of Huesca, in Monte Perdido, and then along the Zaragoza highway , in fact at the height of Fraga, there is a sign that indicates Meridiano de Greenwich.
Then it continues further down until it reaches the Valencian community, passing through Castellón, the Gulf of Valencia, Denia and Altea , and continues along the Mediterranean Sea. On the Marines-Racons road, specifically at kilometer 9,800, there is a 2 × 1.5 information panel where the name of the meridian, the latitude and longitude of the place are established.
Its duties?
Specifically, it serves as a reference to know the terrestrial longitude or distance of any place on the map with respect to this point, and also to determine the time zone of each region of the Earth.
Through other countries does the Greenwich Meridian pass?
In general it unites several sectors. Well, it follows an imaginary line that joins the North and South poles around a total of eight countries. Part of the London Greenwich neighborhood of the United Kingdom passes through France, from there through the aforementioned areas of Spain, then in Africa through the countries of Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana.
What is the history of this famous meridian?
In the 19th century, the need arose for there to be a main reference meridian on Earth and for it to be the same in all countries. Thus, among its uses then, it was to be able to facilitate both navigation and commerce, which at that time was in full swing.
The meridian 0 had to be defined and they were established from the international, to the Paris Observatory; or the Royal Observatory of Greenwich. A total of 25 countries voted and 22 countries decided to establish the one that currently exists , including Spain.
With this, other agreements were reached, such as that the longitudes around the globe to the east and west should be taken up to 180 ° from the initial meridian, that all countries adopt the universal day and that the nautical and astronomical days would begin at midnight, among many others.
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