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The Western Hemisphere — Reading Comprehension

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FL.SS.2.G.1.1
SS.2.G.1.2

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This reading passage introduces students to the *Western Hemisphere*, the half of the Earth located west of the *Prime Meridian*. Aligned with Florida standard FL.SS.2.G.1.1, the passage explores which continents and countries are in the Western Hemisphere, including North and South America. It explains the roles of imaginary lines like the Prime Meridian and the Equator in geography. Young readers will learn about the Amazon Rainforest, landforms, and different cultures found in this hemisphere. With simple explanations and key vocabulary, this passage helps kids build strong geography skills.

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Western Hemisphere

The Western Hemisphere is half of the planet Earth. It covers everything west of the prime meridian, which is the line at 0° longitude running through Greenwich, England. The opposite line on the globe is 180° longitude. From the prime meridian to 180°, you find the Western Hemisphere. The Eastern Hemisphere is the other half.

The Western Hemisphere is home to all of North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It also contains Central America, South America, the Caribbean islands, Greenland, and even part of western Africa and Europe. Half of Antarctica is also in the Western Hemisphere. On a globe, this area looks like the left half if you split the world down the middle.

This hemisphere has many famous landforms. The Rocky Mountains run through North America, and the Andes Mountains stretch down South America. The Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world, and the Amazon River is the biggest river by how much water it carries. The Great Lakes are a group of huge lakes, and the Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in North America. The Grand Canyon is a giant, colorful canyon in the United States.

About one-third of all the land on Earth is in the Western Hemisphere. It is home to around 1 billion people. When it is daytime in the Western Hemisphere, it is nighttime in the Eastern Hemisphere because of how the Earth spins. This area is called 'Western' because, from Europe, explorers like Christopher Columbus sailed west to reach the Americas in 1492. The word 'western' depends on where the prime meridian was placed, which was in England.

Interesting Fact: The Andes Mountains in South America are the longest mountain range in the world!

What divides Earth into hemispheres?

Prime meridian and 180° longitudeEquator and North PoleAmazon RiverRocky Mountains

Which mountains are in South America?

Andes MountainsRocky MountainsAlpsHimalayas

Which river has the most water?

Amazon RiverMississippi RiverNile RiverYangtze River

Why is it called the 'Western' Hemisphere?

Europeans sailed west to the AmericasIt is warmer than the eastIt has more countriesIt is smaller

What happens when it's day in the Western Hemisphere?

It's night in the Eastern HemisphereIt's also day everywhereIt's winterIt rains everywhere

What is the Grand Canyon?