Let’s talk about flying around the world.  Most people will just say “circumnavigate the globe.” I guess that sounds more official.

The globe is pretty large.  When preparing to circumnavigate it, there are a bunch of choices to make.  Think of it like you are heading to school.  Unless you live right next to the school, there are probably a bunch of different ways you can go.  Right?  The same is true for going around the globe.  So to officially circumnavigate the globe there has to be some kind of measurements. 

To go around the Earth you must travel around 40,000 km.  You must start and finish at the same spot and fly through every meridian on the Earth.  Meridian is the imaginary line that connects the North and South Poles.  The distance you must travel is just under 40,000 km, at 36,787.559 km.  Your course must also pass set points outside the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.  Sounds like a long flight.