Large-scale, 2-D hybrid (fluid electrons, particle ions) simulations have been performed to investigate the macroscopic and the microscopic structure of the dayside (curved) magnetopause during southward IMF. It is found that in addition to the formation of an X-line at the subsolar point, other X lines are formed at higher latitudes. The locations of these X lines are asymmetric with respect to the magnetic equator, and the resulting plasmoids have different sizes. The thickness of the magnetopause varies considerably as a function of latitude. In addition, the spatial scales associated with the plasma variations across the magnetopause are considerably different than those associated with the field variations. The rotational (current) layer exhibits a linear polarization and does not match the jump conditions of any known discontinuity. Instead, the topology of the magnetic field lines, determines the spatial scale and the polarization of the current layer. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union