what is another name for the prime meridian
Prime meridian A prime meridian is ultimately arbitrary, unlike an equator, which is determined by the axis of rotationâ€”and various conventions have been used or advocated in different regions and throughout history.[1] The most widely used modern meridian is the IERS Reference Meridian. It is derived but deviates slightly from the Greenwich Meridian, which was selected as an international standard in 1884.
United Kingdom The total area of the United Kingdom is approximately 243,610 square kilometres (94,060 sq mi). The country occupies the major part of the British Isles[129] archipelago and includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland and some smaller surrounding islands. It lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea with the south-east coast coming within 22 miles (35 km) of the coast of northern France, from which it is separated by the English Channel.[130] In 1993 10% of the UK was forested, 46% used for pastures and 25% cultivated for agriculture.[131] The Royal Greenwich Observatory in London is the defining point of the Prime Meridian.[132]