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17

Tell whether these countries lie completely above, completely below, or on the equator? a. Brazil b. Kenya c. Philippines

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geography

The Earth's great dividing line, the equator, passes through only a handful of countries, making its path a unique geographical feature. Two of these nations are Brazil and Kenya, which are both split between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The line crosses the vast northern part of Brazil, slicing through the Amazon rainforest. The Brazilian city of Macapá is famous for its "Estádio Zerão" (Zero Stadium), where the midfield line is painted precisely over the equator. Similarly, the line runs directly through the heart of Kenya, a fact celebrated at popular tourist spots where visitors can stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

In contrast, the Philippines, despite its warm, tropical climate often associated with the equator, lies entirely within the Northern Hemisphere. The entire archipelago, from its northernmost islands to its southernmost tip, is situated several hundred miles north of the 0-degree latitude line. This distinction is a great reminder that while equatorial countries are always tropical, not all tropical countries lie on the equator. A nation's position relative to this imaginary line defines its hemispheric identity.