The 16th Meridian East
Charting a Course Across Continents and Oceans: A Geographical Journey Along a Line of Longitude.
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Defining the Meridian
A Line of Longitude
The meridian 16° east of the Prime Meridian is a fundamental line of longitude. It extends conceptually from the geographic North Pole, traversing the globe through the Arctic Ocean, Europe, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and finally reaching the South Pole. This line serves as a reference point for geographical positioning, dividing the Eastern Hemisphere.
Global Significance
As a great circle, the 16th meridian east forms a complementary pair with the 164th meridian west. This pairing ensures that the entire surface of the Earth is encompassed by these two opposing lines of longitude, providing a complete longitudinal framework for global cartography and navigation.
Visualizing the Meridian
While direct imagery is restricted, imagine a line drawn vertically on a world map, passing through specific points. In reality, markers exist, such as the monument in Zagreb, Croatia, symbolizing its passage through populated areas. The provided map visualization offers an interactive way to trace its precise route.
The Global Traverse
From Pole to Pole
The 16th meridian east traverses the planet from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Its path is marked by a sequence of geographical features and political entities. The following table details the journey:
| Coordinates | Country, Territory, or Sea | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 90°0′N 16°0′E | Arctic Ocean | |
| 80°1′N 16°0′E |  Norway |
Island of Spitsbergen, Svalbard |
| 76°45′N 16°0′E | Atlantic Ocean | Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea |
| 69°18′N 16°0′E | Norway |
Islands of Andøya and Hinnøya, and the mainland |
| 66°52′N 16°0′E |  Sweden |
|
| 56°12′N 16°0′E | Baltic Sea | |
| 54°15′N 16°0′E |  Poland |
|
| 50°36′N 16°0′E |  Czech Republic |
|
| 48°47′N 16°0′E |  Austria |
|
| 46°50′N 16°0′E |  Slovenia |
For about 11 km |
| 46°43′N 16°0′E | Austria |
For about 6 km |
| 46°40′N 16°0′E | Slovenia |
|
| 46°18′N 16°0′E |  Croatia |
Passing through Zagreb, east of the city centre |
| 45°13′N 16°0′E |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|
| 44°38′N 16°0′E | Croatia |
|
| 43°29′N 16°0′E | Mediterranean Sea | Adriatic Sea |
| 42°59′N 16°0′E | Croatia |
Island of Biševo |
| 42°57′N 16°0′E | Mediterranean Sea | Adriatic Sea |
| 41°57′N 16°0′E |  Italy |
|
| 41°40′N 16°0′E | Mediterranean Sea | Gulf of Manfredonia |
| 41°26′N 16°0′E | Italy |
|
| 39°25′N 16°0′E | Mediterranean Sea | Tyrrhenian Sea |
| 38°44′N 16°0′E | Italy |
|
| 37°55′N 16°0′E | Mediterranean Sea | |
| 31°17′N 16°0′E |  Libya |
|
| 23°27′N 16°0′E |  Chad |
On the Tropic of Cancer |
| 7°30′N 16°0′E |  Central African Republic |
|
| 3°0′N 16°0′E |  Cameroon |
|
| 1°45′N 16°0′E |  Republic of the Congo |
|
| 3°44′S 16°0′E |  Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|
| 5°52′S 16°0′E |  Angola |
|
| 17°23′S 16°0′E |  Namibia |
|
| 28°15′S 16°0′E | Atlantic Ocean | |
| 60°0′S 16°0′E | Southern Ocean | |
| 69°41′S 16°0′E | Antarctica | Queen Maud Land, claimed by Norway |
Continental Crossings
Europe
The meridian enters Europe after crossing the Norwegian Sea, passing through Norway, Sweden, and then entering Central Europe. It traverses Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia before reaching the Adriatic Sea.
Africa
South of the Mediterranean Sea, the 16th meridian east enters North Africa, passing through Libya. It continues south across Chad, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and Namibia before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
Oceanic Passages
Arctic and Atlantic
The meridian begins its journey in the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean. After traversing Europe, it re-enters the Atlantic Ocean, crossing significant bodies like the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea before its extensive passage down the western coast of Southern Africa.
Mediterranean and Southern
In Southern Europe, the meridian crosses the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Further south, it enters the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean, marking its final continental passage before reaching the South Pole.
Interactive Visualization
Explore the Route
To truly appreciate the geographical scope of the 16th meridian east, an interactive map is invaluable. This allows for detailed examination of its path, including specific locations and geographical features.
Access the interactive map:
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing information from publicly available data sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended for educational and informational purposes for advanced students of geography and related fields.
This is not professional geographical advice. The content is based on data that may not be exhaustive, entirely up-to-date, or perfectly accurate. Geographical boundaries, political claims, and environmental conditions can change. Always consult authoritative geographical resources and experts for critical applications.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.