Question

Why is the IDL not a straight line like the 1800 meridian?

Answer 1

• Attempt has been made to make the IDL pass through the Pacific Ocean completely.
• Had it passed through a land or some islands, the people there would have had to follow different dates and timings because dates would have been different on their Eastern and Western parts.
• Also, it would have been difficult to know when one crosses the IDL on land, and when the date changes on the calendar.
• Therefore, the IDL is not a straight line like the 1 180° Meridian. At places, it turns East while at other places, it turns West.