An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that is equally distant from the North and South Poles. It divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
From Medieval Latin *aequator diei et noctis* meaning 'equalizer of day and night', because at the equator, day and night are nearly the same length year-round. Over time, the phrase shortened to just *equator*.
The equator isn’t just a line on maps; it was named because it 'equalizes' day and night. Standing near it, you’re spinning fastest as Earth turns, even though you can’t feel it. It’s also why tropical climates cluster around that invisible circle.
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