Understanding Hemispheres: Where Does New Hampshire Fit?
New Hampshire does not have "hemispheres." Hemispheres are divisions of the Earth as a whole, not subnational units.
Earth's Four Hemispheres
| Hemisphere | Dividing Line | New Hampshire's Location |
|---|
| Northern | Equator (0° latitude) | ✓ Entirely in Northern Hemisphere (43°–45° N) |
| Southern | Equator | ✗ |
| Western | Prime Meridian (0° longitude) | ✓ Entirely in Western Hemisphere (71°–72° W) |
| Eastern | Prime Meridian | ✗ |
New Hampshire's Geographic Context
- Region: New England (NE USA)
- Coordinates: ~43.5° N, 71.5° W (concord)
- Borders: Maine (E), Massachusetts (S), Vermont (W), Quebec (N), Atlantic (SE)
- Time Zone: Eastern (UTC-5/-4)
Why the Confusion?
People sometimes confuse hemispheres (planetary halves) with regions (New England, Northeast), time zones, or watersheds (Connecticut River, Merrimack, Piscataqua).
Key Takeaway
New Hampshire is a U.S. state located in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. It has no hemispheres of its own—only the planet does.
Wanderlust World