What is a meridian?

A meridian is defined as an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, representing areas oriented north and south on the Earth’s surface. These lines are crucial in the study of geography and navigation because they help in determining longitude, which, alongside latitude, is essential for pinpointing specific locations on a map.

Meridians play a significant role in geospatial concepts and are used globally to define time zones as well. The Prime Meridian, for example, is the reference line at 0 degrees longitude from which all other meridians are measured. This straight line perspective supports navigation and geographical orientation, helping to understand global positioning and movement.

Other choices may sound relevant but do not accurately capture the essence of a meridian. For instance, geographical boundaries or property lines may relate to meridians in terms of land division, but they do not specifically define what a meridian is.