What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
In the Northern Hemisphere, summer lasts from June through September. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer begins in December and ends in February.
About 60% of water covers the surface of the Northern Hemisphere compared with 80% in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Northern Hemisphere's surface is about 40% landmass. In the Southern Hemisphere, landmass accounts for 20% of the surface.
The atmosphere is far more polluted in the Northern Hemisphere. That's because over 90% of the global population, and a majority of urban and industrial pollution sources, are located north of the equator.
In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes and tropical storms rotate counterclockwise, whereas south of the equator they rotate in a clockwise direction. This is due to what's known as the Coriolis effect, which is the deflection of moving objects based on the Earth's rotation.
Conversely and again as a result of the Coriolis effect, ocean current patterns in the Northern Hemisphere are deflected to the east in a clockwise direction, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere they flow counterclockwise towards the west.
During the day in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun will rise to its maximum in a southerly position. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, the opposite occurs, with the Sun rising to its maximum point in the north.
Viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, the Moon appears inverted compared to a view from the Southern Hemisphere. This is simply due to orientation.
Not surprisingly, the North Star, also known as Polaris, is only visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Certain circumpolar constellations such as Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia are also exclusive to the northern sky.
While the Southern Hemisphere is bereft of a "Southern Star," stargazers are treated to their own unique circumpolar constellations, notably Carina, Crux, and Centaurus.
The Northern Hemisphere is home to 93% of the world's population. This is mainly because the Pacific Ocean is so vast.
The brightest part of the Milky Way, its core, lies in the Southern Hemisphere. It's part of the constellation of Sagittarius. The Milky Way can be observed in the Northern Hemisphere, but only appears slightly above the southern horizon in late summer.
Antarctica is colder than the Arctic because it's a landmass surrounded by ocean. The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by landmasses. The explanation lies in the fact that the Southern Hemisphere has significantly more ocean—and water heats up and cools down more slowly than landmass.
A wide variety of wildlife is exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere. But perhaps the most iconic animal is the emperor penguin, found only in Antarctica.
The largest country in the Northern Hemisphere is Russia. It's also the largest in the world.
The largest country in the Southern Hemisphere is Brazil. It's also the biggest in South America.
The center of the Western Hemisphere is located in the Pacific Ocean, specifically at the intersection of the 90th meridian west and the equator. The nearest land is Genovesa Island, in the Galapagos.
See also: Visit these incredible dark sky reserves around the world
The center of the Eastern Hemisphere is located in the Indian Ocean. The nearest landmass is the Indonesian island of Simeulue, 150 km (93 mi) off the west coast of Sumatra.
Falling within the Northern Hemisphere is the Tropic of Cancer. This is the most northerly circle of latitude on Earth at which the Sun can be directly overhead.
The Southern Hemisphere's equivalent is the Tropic of Capricorn. It marks the most southerly latitude at which the Sun can appear directly overhead.
At 8,848 m (29,031 ft), Mount Everest is the highest point in the Northern Hemisphere.
The highest point in the Southern Hemisphere is Aconcagua in Argentina. It has a summit elevation of 6,961 m (22,838 ft).
That's why when we look at the crescent moon in the Northern Hemisphere it looks like a D and in the Southern Hemisphere it looks like a C.
The Earth can be divided into four hemispheres: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. While each hemisphere is distinct from its peers, the north-south division caused by the equator denotes a tangible shift in terms of geography, climate, the environment, and human culture. In fact, the difference between the two is dramatic. But why do these two halves of the terrestrial globe appear so much in contrast, and what are the causes?
Click through and find out how the planet is divided.
Find out why the Moon looks different in the Southern Hemisphere
This is how the planet is divided
LIFESTYLE Geography
The Earth can be divided into four hemispheres: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. While each hemisphere is distinct from its peers, the north-south division caused by the equator denotes a tangible shift in terms of geography, climate, the environment, and human culture. In fact, the difference between the two is dramatic. But why do these two halves of the terrestrial globe appear so much in contrast, and what are the causes?
Click through and find out how the planet is divided.