The Great Circle

A great circle is the largest possible circle that can be drawn on the surface of a sphere, like Earth. It divides the sphere into two equal halves and represents the shortest path between two points along the surface. Examples include the Equator and the lines of longitude. Because they are the most direct routes, great circles are important in navigation, aviation, and shipping, helping travelers determine the most efficient paths across the globe. Essentially, they provide a way to measure the shortest distance between two locations on a spherical surface.