Antipodes

Antipodes

Definition

Antipodes are pairs of places on Earth that lie directly opposite each other, connected by an imaginary straight line passing through the planet’s centre.

Each point on Earth has exactly one antipode, meaning antipodes always exist in pairs — one location and its exact opposite on the globe.

Antipodes in Geography

In geography, the term antipodes is used to describe these opposite points collectively. While every place has an antipode, most antipodal pairs consist of land on one side and ocean on the other.

This uneven distribution is explained in more detail in Why Most Antipodes Are in the Ocean.

Because of this, true land-to-land antipodes are relatively rare.

How Antipodal Pairs Are Calculated

Antipodal pairs are calculated using latitude and longitude:

• Latitude is inverted (north becomes south, south becomes north)

• Longitude is shifted by exactly 180 degrees

For example:

• A point at 30° North, 20° East has an antipode at 30° South, 160° West

You can calculate any antipodal pair instantly using the interactive Antipode Map.

For a detailed explanation, see How Antipodes Are Calculated.

Examples of Antipodes

A well-known near land-to-land antipodal relationship exists between Madrid, Spain and Wellington, New Zealand.

Most major cities, however, are opposite open ocean. For example:

• The Antipode of London lies in the southern Pacific Ocean

• The Antipode of New York City falls in the Indian Ocean

• The Antipode of Sydney lies in the North Atlantic Ocean

You can browse many more examples in Explore Antipodes by City.

Singular vs Plural: Antipode and Antipodes

• Antipode refers to one specific opposite point

• Antipodes refers to the pair of opposite locations together

For the singular form, see Antipode – Definition.

Why Antipodes Matter

The concept of antipodes helps explain:

• Earth’s spherical geometry

• global distance and symmetry

• time zone and seasonal opposites

• why continents and oceans are unevenly distributed

Antipodes are a fundamental idea in cartography, geography, and global mapping.

Related Terms

• Antipode – the singular form

• Antipodal Point – the exact opposite point on a sphere

• Antipodal – describing opposite positions

• Antipodean – relating to the Southern Hemisphere

Explore Further

• Find your antipode using the interactive map

• Browse the full Antipode Dictionary

• Discover notable examples in Famous Antipodes