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Which Continents Are in the Western Hemisphere? — Reading Comprehension

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FL.SS.2.G.1.1
SS.2.G.1.3

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This passage teaches elementary students which continents are found in the *Western Hemisphere*, including North America, South America, and parts of Europe and Africa. Students learn how the *Prime Meridian* helps divide Earth into hemispheres and why this matters in geography. With simple explanations, real-world examples, and vocabulary support, this passage helps students build map skills and understand how continents are located. Designed to meet Florida standard FL.SS.2.G.1.1, this content supports elementary geography learning in a fun, factual way.

CONTENT PREVIEW

What is the Western Hemisphere?

The Earth is divided into halves, called hemispheres. The Western Hemisphere is one of these halves. It is the part of Earth that lies west of the prime meridian, an invisible line that runs through England at 0° longitude. Everything to the west of this line is in the Western Hemisphere.

Which Continents Are in the Western Hemisphere?

North America and South America are special because they are the only continents completely in the Western Hemisphere. This means all their countries—like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina—are on the 'west side' of Earth. Central America and the Caribbean islands are also in this half.

Some other continents have small parts in the Western Hemisphere. The western tips of Europe—like Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, and Iceland—stick out just a little into the Western Hemisphere. A tiny part of Africa, including Morocco and some countries in West Africa, also crosses into it. Even the western half of Antarctica is in the Western Hemisphere!

Why Does the Split Happen?

The split is because of the prime meridian. It helps people use maps and find places on Earth. Anything west of the prime meridian is in the Western Hemisphere—even if it’s just a small piece of a country or continent.

Fun Geography Facts!

North America is home to the world’s largest island country, Canada, while South America has Brazil, the largest country in its continent. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans between these continents. The Americas stretch all the way from the freezing Arctic down to the icy Antarctic!

The Western Hemisphere is like a cozy home for the Americas—both continents fit completely inside, while Europe and Africa just have their toes poking through the door!

Why Does Location Matter?

Where a continent is on Earth affects its seasons, trade routes, and time zones. For example, when it is summer in North America, it is winter in parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. These differences shape how people live, work, and travel around the world.

Interesting Fact:
There are 35 countries in the Americas, and every single city, mountain, and river in North and South America is in the Western Hemisphere!

Which continents are fully in the Western Hemisphere?

North and South AmericaEurope and AfricaAsia and AustraliaAntarctica and Europe

What line splits the hemispheres?

Prime meridianEquatorInternational Date LineTropic of Cancer

Which country is the largest in South America?

BrazilArgentinaCanadaUnited States

Why do only parts of Europe and Africa enter the Western Hemisphere?

They cross the prime meridianThey're near the equatorThey are small continentsOceans separate them

How does location affect seasons?

Seasons are opposite in hemispheresIt makes all places hotIt makes all places coldIt has no effect

What does the Panama Canal connect?

Atlantic and Pacific OceansEurope and AfricaNorth and South PolesAmazon and Nile Rivers