In many countries, kilometre zero or similar terms in other languages denote a particular location from which distances are traditionally measured and some use this as their official country location or coordinates for faster search at space satellites, this is also used for measuring distances between different countries around the world. Historically, they were markers where drivers could set their odometers to follow the directions in early roaming guide books.
Kilometre zero, Buenos Aires
The Mile 0 point for the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek
Kilometre Zero at Plaza de Armas, Santiago
The kilometre zero point for highways, Beijing
The Milliarium Aureum, also known by the translation Golden Milestone, was a monument, probably of marble or gilded bronze, erected by the Emperor Augustus near the Temple of Saturn in the central Forum of Ancient Rome. All roads were considered to begin at this monument and all distances in the Roman Empire were measured relative to it. On it perhaps were listed all the major cities in the empire and distances to them, though the monument's precise location and inscription remain matters of debate among historians.
The probable position of the Milliarium Aureum
Roman Forum plan with the Milliarium Aureum in red and the Umbilicus Urbis in blue.
Remains labeled "Milliarium Aureum" in the Roman Forum