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Question
Why is the IDL considered with respect to the 180° meridian only?
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Solution
- Our 24-hour day starts at 12 midnight because of the earth’s rotation, the midnight occurs at different times at different places.
- As the earth is spherical in shape, every place has a place to its east.
- So, it was necessary to determine at what location to the east does the day start on earth?
- Hence, representatives of many nations got together under the leadership of an American professor, Davidson, in the year 1884 and decided the international date line.
- The line was drawn opposite to the Greenwich Prime Meridian i.e. with reference to the 180° Meridian.
- Therefore, IDL is considered with respect to the 180° meridian.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Two boxes in different hemispheres are given in the following diagram. The IDL passes through both the boxes. In one box, the meridian, day and date is given. Find the day and date for the other box.

While crossing the IDL, a person will have to add one day when travelling from ______.
If it is Wednesday 10 a.m. at 15° E meridian, then what will be the time at IDL?
Give geographical reason.
The day starts in Pacific Ocean on the earth.
180° line of longitude is ______.
The world is divided into ____________ time zones.
choose the odd one.
Match the following
| A | B |
| 0° line of latitude | Pole |
| 0° line of longitude | International Date Line |
| 180° line of longitude | Greenwich |
| 90° line of latitude | Equator |
Using an atlas, tell if, on the following route, the IDL will be crossed and show it on the map.
Delhi - Kolkata - Singapore - Melbourne

Using an atlas, tell if, on the following route, the IDL will be crossed and show it on the map.
Chennai - Singapore - Tokyo - Sydney - Santiago

