Final answer:
Imaginary lines that run from pole to pole on Earth are called meridians or lines of longitude, forming part of the Earth's coordinate system used for mapping and navigation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Imaginary lines that traverse the globe from pole to pole are known as meridians or lines of longitude. Geographers and cartographers use these lines to establish a coordinate system along with lines of latitude, aiding in the precise location description of places on Earth. Each meridian forms a great circle, intersecting the poles and running perpendicular to the equator, effectively connecting the North and South Poles directly.
The prime meridian, crucial in this coordinate system, is marked at 0 degrees longitude. It passes through Greenwich, England, and serves as the reference point for the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. This division facilitates the global organization of time zones and the determination of longitudinal positions, allowing for accurate mapping and navigation across the Earth's surface.