Five Countries on the Prime Meridian

The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) passes through five sovereign nations from north to south:

1. United Kingdom — Greenwich, London (Royal Observatory, GMT origin)
2. France — Paris Observatory (just south of Paris; France uses Paris Meridian historically)
3. Spain — Castellón de la Plana municipality (Valencian Community)
4. Algeria — Eastern region, near Annaba (coastal)
5. Mali — Capital Bamako lies directly on the meridian

Additional Territories

The meridian also crosses:
• Burkina Faso (briefly, northeast)
• Togo (narrow strip)
• Ghana (eastern edge, near Tema)
• Antarctica (Queen Maud Land, Norwegian claim)

Historical Note

Greenwich Meridian adopted as international standard 1884 (International Meridian Conference). France used Paris Meridian (2°20′E) until 1911. GPS uses WGS84 ellipsoid—Prime Meridian is ~102m east of Greenwich Observatory marker.

Eight countries total if including all African nations; five commonly cited.