Take a glance at any globe or world map, and you’ll see it covered in lines; horizontal, vertical, and curving across the oceans. Of course, none of these exist on Earth itself, yet they play an important role: some help pinpoint exact locations, while others divide the planet into halves and zones that shape how we understand geography, time, and even climate.
Curious about what the Equator really does, or why the Tropic of Cancer matters? Click through the gallery to learn more about the famous “invisible lines” that quietly organize our world.