Equator experience in Uganda
Equator experience in Uganda : Uganda equator is unmissable landmark in Uganda as it offers you an opportunity to stand in both North and South hemispheres of the world, this imaginary line cuts the earth into the northern and south hemispheres.
In the world the equator passes through only 13 countries including Uganda, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Sao Tome & Principe, Gabon, Republic of Congo, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Somalia, Maldives, Indonesia and Kiribati.
At Kayabwe, the Equator line crosses the Kampala – Masaka highway and in this site there are 2 equator landmarks. Kayabwe is found in Mpigi District, 72 kilometers from Kampala the capital of Uganda.
Uganda is one of the eleven nations in the world where the equator runs through it. The Equator is a classic spot for photography, souvenirs and a perfect stopover while on a safari to safari destinations in western and Southwestern Uganda such as Bwindi impenetrable national park, Lake Mburo national park, Mgahinga Gorilla national park, Kibale Forest national park and Queen Elizabeth national park among others.
In Uganda, other equator landmarks can be found near Entebbe, Queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
What is the Equator?
The Equator is an imaginary line drawn on the earth’s surface and divides the earth into two regions that is the Northern and the Southern hemispheres. The Equator is also the line of 0 degrees.
Water Experiment at the Equator
One of the fascinating facts about the equator is that while at the equator line, the water drains straight down, this is because the movement and drainage of water differs from the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the Equator line, in the demonstration of the carioles effect.
The Carioles effect is scientifically proven consequence where by something
At the Equator the movement changes direction suddenly, something in motion to the left or right when moving on a rotating body like the earth. In some cases, this is performed by pressure weather cyclonical systems – having a clockwise rotation in the north and a counterclockwise rotation in the southern hemisphere.
From a realist perspective, it might be hard to see this motion, however the showmanship is used to stimulate the effect. In the northern hemisphere, the water drains down the hole in a clockwise direction and in the southern hemisphere the water drains in the counterclockwise.
Light weight
While at the equator line, you are 3% lighter. This is because of weight is a force with which gravity acts on a mass, anyone at the equator line, their weight less by 0.5% and gravity is 0.5%. This is inclined to the earth not being a perfect sphere, at the poles it is flattened.
While at the equator line in Kayabwe, you will be a few 10 kilometers away from the actual center of the earth unlike when standing at the poles. Gravity falls off while at a distance which explains why it is slightly less.
Souvenir shops and restaurants
During the stopover at The Equator at Kayabwe, there are many souvenir and craft shops selling souvenirs and handmade products which can be bought by tourists on a subsidized price. Some of the amazing products to buy at the equator include T-Shirts with “I crossed the Uganda Equator” printed on it, African fabrics among others.
There is Aid Child Gallery and Tribal Art and Craft selling their products in a neat and very organized way, other organizations operating at the Equator include the Papula Paper Organization that has some of the cute paper products made from recycled materials.
There are also 2 good restaurants at the equator, these restaurants are found in the Tribal Art and Craft shop and at Aid Child Café selling decent food and coffee. The proceedings from these restaurants are invested in local projects such as orphanages.
How to get to the Equator
The Equator and its land mark is located in Kayabwe which is about 72 kilometers from Kampala the Capital city of Uganda, the site is situated close to Kampala city the starting point for most Uganda safaris and along the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway which makes it a great stopover point during a visit to Uganda’s most national parks and safari destinations.
