180th meridian
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Coordinates: 0°S 180°W / 0°S 180°W
The 180th meridian or the antimeridian is the meridian defined as 180° longitude. It is the line of longitude exactly opposite the Prime Meridian. It is common to both east longitude and west longitude. It is used as the basis for the International Date Line because it for the most part passes through the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. However, the meridian passes through a few countries as well as Antarctica.
Starting at the North Pole and heading south to the South Pole, the 180th meridian passes through:
-
Country, territory or sea Notes Arctic Ocean 
RussiaWrangel Island Chukchi Sea RussiaChukotka Autonomous Okrug Bering Sea Amchitka Pass Passing just east of Semisopochnoi Island, Alaska, 
United StatesPacific Ocean Passing just east of Nukulaelae atoll, 
Tuvalu
FijiIslands of Vanua Levu, Rabi, and Taveuni Pacific Ocean Passing just east of the island of Moala, Fiji
Passing just west of the island of Totoya, Fiji
Passing just east of the island of Matuku, FijiSouthern Ocean Antarctica Ross Dependency, claimed by 
New Zealand
The meridian also passes between (but particularly close to):
- the Gilbert Islands and the Phoenix Islands islands of
Kiribati; - between North Island and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand;
- between the Bounty Islands and the Chatham Islands, also of New Zealand.
[edit] See also
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