Did you know that the Greenwich meridian zero passes through Aragon?

We are all familiar with latitudes and longitudes, those little numbers that tell us where we are on the planet, but did you know that in Aragon we have that line that divides the world in two? The famous Greenwich meridian, which marks the zero point of longitudes and begins at the North Pole, crosses our land from top to bottom.

WHAT IS THE GREENWICH MERIDIAN?

If we look back, we probably remember those geography classes where we racked our brains trying to memorize rivers, mountains and capitals. Another lesson that perhaps no one remembers is the Greenwich meridian, also known as the meridian zero, which is that imaginary line that joins the poles and that cartographers decided to use as a reference point to measure longitudes. It is like the navel of the world, but in a geographical version.

This meridian not only passes through the famous Greenwich Observatory in London (hence its name), but also crosses Spain, and specifically, the three Aragonese provinces. In this article we show you where exactly this imaginary line passes.

THROUGH WHICH PARTS OF ARAGON DOES THIS MERIDIAN PASS?

The Greenwich meridian begins its journey through Aragon in a high altitude area. Its entry point is located in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, located in the province of Huesca. This fact underlines the geographical importance of our Pyrenean mountain system.

The meridian then descends through the province of Huesca, passing through the vicinity of various towns of historical and cultural interest, including Buisán, Nerín and Jánovas. It then passes through the Sierra de Guara Natural Park, an area renowned for its biodiversity and unique geological formations.

Greenwich Meridian in Huesca

The Greenwich meridian begins its journey through Spain in the province of Huesca, marking its entry into national territory through the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. This passage through one of the most emblematic natural spaces in the country underlines the geographical and ecological importance of the Aragonese Pyrenees region.

On its journey through the province of Huesca, the meridian zero passes through several towns, among which Berbegal stands out. This small municipality, with a population of just over 300 inhabitants, houses a commemorative monument that marks the passage of this imaginary line of global importance. The presence of this geographical landmark in a town of such modest dimensions highlights the importance of the Greenwich meridian and its ability to connect seemingly distant points on the planet.

Greenwich Meridian in Zaragoza

After its journey through the province of Huesca, the Greenwich meridian continues its course into the province of Zaragoza. In this section, it crosses the region of Los Monegros, a region characterized by its semi-arid landscape and its unique steppe ecosystem.

A point of special interest on the route through the province of Zaragoza is the intersection with the AP-2 motorway. At this point, between the towns of Bujaraloz and Candasnos, a commemorative monument in the form of an illuminated arch stands over the road. This structure marks the passage of the Greenwich meridian through the province of Zaragoza, representing a point of convergence between an abstract geographical concept and a tangible physical reality.

It is worth mentioning that this intersection point is traveled daily by numerous vehicles, most of whose occupants are probably unaware of the geographical significance of the place they are passing through: an imaginary line that divides the planet into the eastern and western hemispheres.

Greenwich Meridian in Teruel

The Greenwich meridian continues its journey through Aragon, entering the province of Teruel, after crossing the Mequinenza reservoir, also known as the Sea of ​​Aragon, near Caspe. This point marks the transition between the provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel.

On its journey through the lands of Teruel, the meridian crosses the regions of Bajo Aragón and Matarraña, characterised by their rural landscapes and traditional architecture. A point of particular interest on this route is the town of Fórnoles, where the meridian zero divides the municipality into two parts. This geographical peculiarity gives Fórnoles the unique distinction of being located simultaneously in the eastern and western hemispheres of the planet.

OTHER SPANISH TOWNS THROUGH WHICH THE GREENWICH MERIDIAN PASSES

The Greenwich meridian, after its journey through Aragon, continues its trajectory towards the south, leaving Aragon territory through the municipality of Peñarroya de Tastavins to enter the Valencian Community. There, the meridian crosses various towns and geographical features of relevance. These include the province of Castellón, the Gulf of Valencia, and the coastal cities of Denia and Altea, before entering the Mediterranean Sea on its way to the African continent. It is worth noting the presence of a sign on the Les Marines-Racons road commemorating the passage of the meridian, evidencing the local recognition of this geographical landmark.

The Greenwich meridian, beyond its cartographic representation, constitutes a geographical element that links various territories and landscapes along its route. Its passage through Aragon and other regions of Spain not only represents a geographical curiosity, but also underlines the connection of these territories with a global reference system. The presence of physical markers, such as the arch over the AP-2 in Aragon or the signage in the Valencian Community, serves as a tangible reminder of this abstract geographical concept.

In conclusion, the Greenwich meridian as it runs through Spain, and particularly through Aragon, is not only an element of scientific and cartographic interest, but also constitutes a geographical heritage that enriches the territorial identity of the regions it crosses. Its presence invites us to reflect on global interconnection and the relevance of geographic reference systems in our understanding of the world.