Here's how the word breaks down:
* "Hemi" comes from the Greek word "hemi," meaning "half."
* "Sphere" refers to a round three-dimensional object, like a ball.
In mapmaking, hemispheres are important because:
* They help us divide the Earth into sections for easier understanding. We use the terms "Northern Hemisphere," "Southern Hemisphere," "Eastern Hemisphere," and "Western Hemisphere" to describe different parts of the world.
* They help us visualize where we are on the globe. For example, knowing you live in the Northern Hemisphere tells you that you're located above the equator.