Difference Between Northern and Southern Hemisphere: Explained for School Students

Explore the key differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including seasons, climate, constellations, and more, explained simply for students. Understand how Earth's tilt affects daylight, weather, and culture in 2025.

Jun 20, 2025, 17:57 IST

Geography students should be aware of the distinctions between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The equator separates the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. Different seasons, temperatures, and even star constellations are experienced by each hemisphere.

What are Hemispheres?

The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into two equal halves. The Northern and Southern Hemispheres are at the top and bottom, respectively. Weather, seasons, and ecosystems are just a few of the natural phenomena that are impacted by these boundaries.

Seasonal Differences

The two hemispheres' different seasons are among the most obvious differences between them. Winter occurs in the Southern Hemisphere when summer occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, and vice versa. The tilt of the Earth's axis and its rotation around the sun are the causes of this.

Continents and Countries

Including continents like Asia, Europe, and North America, the Northern Hemisphere contains the majority of the world's landmass. Parts of South America, a lesser portion of Africa, and continents like Australia and Antarctica are all found in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sky and Stars

The two hemispheres have different constellations and views of the sky because of the curvature and location of the Earth. For instance, the Southern Cross can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere, whereas the North Star (Polaris) can only be seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

Difference Between Northern vs. Southern Hemisphere

Here is a simple table showing key differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres:

Sl. No.

Point of Difference

Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere

1.

Meaning

The Northern Hemisphere is the region of the Earth that is above the equator, or imaginary line. This hemisphere includes everything above the 0° line. The largest population on Earth is found in this half of the planet, which has more land than water.

The southern hemisphere is the region of the world that lies below the hypothetical equator. The southern hemisphere includes everything beneath it. About 81% of it is made up of water, which is more than the Northern Hemisphere, and 32% is made up of land, which is less.

2.

Location

Above the equator

Below the equator

3.

Continents

Asia, Europe, North America

Australia, parts of Africa, South America

4.

Seasons (June)

Summer

Winter

5.

Sun Movement

Rises in east, appears to move to the right

Rises in east, appears to move to the left

6.

Ocean Currents

Clockwise circulation

Anticlockwise circulation

7.

Population

More densely populated

Less densely populated

8.

Landmass

Larger land area

More ocean than land

9.

Climate

Colder in general due to landmass

Warmer in general due to more water bodies

10.

Constellation Visibility

North Star (Polaris) visible

Southern Cross visible

11.

Weather Patterns

Affected by Arctic winds

Affected by Antarctic winds

12.

Typography

Its terrain and climatic characteristics are diverse. This hemisphere has more land than the southern one, and its geography is greatly influenced by this land availability. Weather and climatic patterns are significantly impacted by the presence of such vast landmasses and bodies of water. This hemisphere's land is made of of

  • Whole Europe

  • Whole North America

  • The entire continent of Asia

  • A small portion of South America

  • ⅔ part of the African continent

  • Very Small parts of the continent Australia and islands in New Guinea.

The terrain of the southern hemisphere is just as diverse as that of the northern hemisphere. If we compare the two hemispheres, we can also observe from the map that this one has more water and less lithosphere. Additionally, it is thought to be somewhat bigger than the northern one. The Indian, South Atlantic, Southern, and South Pacific oceans are the bodies of water that are found here. The continents of the southern hemisphere and the surrounding terrain include

  • Antarctica

  • Australia

  • The majority part of South America

  • ⅓ part of Africa

  • Islands of Asia

  • New Zealand

  • Islands in Oceania

13.

Temperature

The average annual temperature is 15.2°C, which is relatively higher than the southern one because of the presence of more land.

The average annual temperature is 13.3°C, which is relatively lower than the northern one because of the presence of more water.

Each hemisphere is distinct in its own right. An excellent method to comprehend Earth's diversity is to look at the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, which have various seasons and stars in the sky. As part of their geography coursework, schoolchildren should learn more about these distinctions in order to gain a more comprehensive grasp of our globe.


There is a lot of learning involved in the social science field of geography. As you prepare for this subject, you must study and rewrite a great deal. The easiest approach to retain something is to repeat it out loud or tell someone about it.


Apeksha Agarwal
Apeksha Agarwal

Content Writer

Apeksha Agarwal, a passionate and aspiring journalist, is dedicated to delivering impactful stories and insightful reports. As an education beat writer, she focuses on providing well-researched and engaging news content. Apeksha's strong foundation in journalism and media is complemented by her creativity, dedication, and attention to detail. Her goal is to inform and inspire audiences through meaningful narratives while continuously adapting to the ever-changing media landscape. She can be reached at apeksha.agarwal@jagrannewmedia.com.

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