The Western Hemisphere is a term used to describe the part of the planet that lies to the west of the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, London. It encompasses North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Synonyms for the Western Hemisphere include the New World, the Americas, and the Occident. These terms are often used interchangeably but can have slightly different connotations. The New World specifically refers to the areas of the Americas that were discovered and colonized by Europeans, whereas the Americas emphasizes the geographical scope of the region. The Occident is a more archaic term that refers to the western part of the world, encompassing both the Western Hemisphere and Europe.