In Africa, the equator runs along for almost 2500 miles, passing through 6 countries: Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia. Some travelers have followed this imaginary line from one end of the continent to the other. But it's an arduous journey through rain forests, rivers, lakes and the occasional civil war. If you would just like to stand on the equator, your best bet would be to visit Kenya or Uganda. And while you're there, be sure to check the flushing toilet theory, or to be more scientific, the Coriolis effect.
Toilets flushed in the northern hemisphere apparently spin to the right, in the southern hemisphere the water spins left -- this is supposedly caused by the Coriolis effect. And on the equator? It's a straight shot down. You can test this theory if you stay at the Mount Kenya Safari Club where you cross the equator just by going from your room to the dining hall.
One of the nerdy joys of standing on the actual equator is not looking silly while conducting your own scientific experiment. Fellow traveler Dan Greenspan conducted his experiment using a simple bowl with small hole in the bottom, some water and grass. His water spun to the right when he stepped into the northern hemisphere, to the left in the southern hemisphere, and headed straight down when he was directly on the equator. Thus refuting a BBC report that the Coriolis effect is impossible to measure on such small scale.
If you fancy a complete world guide to the equator, check out this slightly dated Independent's Tour of the Equator.
Hi Anouk – East African Wildlife Society – EAWLS – an authority in African wildlife, safaris and encounters with nature with in East Africa had an article a few years back in their member magazine on the Coriolis effect, claiming the same as referenced in the BBC article. There is a claim in Nanyuki for tourists on safari in Kenya that the Coriolis effect is more showmanship than science. I say its entertaining. Good one!
I would like to comment on both postings. I am currently the General Manager of Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club situated just on the Equator. In fact, we have teh only bar in the world where the waiter will take the order of your drinks in teh Southern hemisphere and pick your drinks in the Northern Hemisphere! Our Equator Suite is also unique as Madam can brush her teath in the Southern Hemisphere and Monsieur in teh Northern hemisphere at the same time! As far as the Golf is concerned, you can tee off in the Southern hemisphere an putt in the Northern! Quite unique no?
Concerning the Coriolis effect, we demonstrate on a regular basis this in our courtyard! I must say I waqs also septical when I heard about that having read probably the same article as Raza, though when I had the demonstration, it was quite obvious! Still not believeing in it, I insisted to have a go at it myself and it proved right again! So it might not be scientific, but it certainly work, and a few thousands of our guests had the privilege to experience it and to receive an official certificate for crossing the Equator at the Club! Philippe
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I’m glad someone has the courage to stand up to the pointy-headed scientists who claim the Coriolis effect can’t possibly cause water to drain in different directions above and below the Equator. Like Ms. Zijlma and Mr. Cauviere, I’ve seen this effect first-hand, with water draining clockwise in a sink and counter-clockwise in a toilet, both in my own home and separated by no more than 20 feet. Like them, I know that this must indicate that the toilet is above the Equator and the sink below, so I’ve drawn a line in my house to show exactly where the Equator runs between them. Since I live in California, it’s clear to me that the various globes and maps are seriously wrong regarding where the Equator is located, but I’m sure that will all be cleared up once I can convince the relevant authorities to come to my place for a demonstration.