The Equator goes through some countries, like [[Ecuador]] (which is named for it) and [[Zaire]], but it does not go through the United States. [[Florida]] is the state closest to the Equator in the continental United States. [[Hawaii]] is closer.
[[Image:Arms of DemRep Congo.png|right|180px|Congo - Zaire]]
Just as Polaris is almost exactly on the celestial North Pole, the "belt" of the constellation Orion is almost exactly on the celestial equator. If you see Orion's belt is directly overhead, you know you are on the Equator. Early Polynesian seafarers may have used it for navigation.