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Learn how latitude and longitude intersect to determine exact locations on our planet. Understand the significance of the equator, prime meridian, and international dateline. Discover how coordinates in degrees, minutes, and seconds accurately locate positions on a map.
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Latitude and longitude is a navigational system that allows for the location of an exact point on the surface of our planet.
Latitude and longitude involves the intersection of perpendicular lines.
A point on our planet is determined by the intersection of latitude and longitude… latitude longitude
Here… latitude longitude
Not there… latitude longitude
Not there… latitude longitude
Here… latitude longitude
Get the drift. latitude longitude
Lines of Latitude are parallel to the equator of our planet…
The equator is the reference line for latitude…it is 0°… The equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres
Northernhemisphere Southernhemisphere
Lines of Longitude are perpendicular to the equator of our planet…they run from the north pole to the south pole.
The Prime Meridian, in Greenwich, England, is the reference line for longitude…it is 0°…
Exactly opposite of the Prime Meridian, on the other side of the planet, is the International Dateline…
The Prime Meridian and International Dateline divide the western and eastern hemispheres.
WesternHemisphere EasternHemisphere
Finding a location on our planet involves the intersection of lines of latitude and longitude.
To find a place, we need to assign numerical values to lines of latitude and longitude…
Lines of latitude are given values from 0° to 90° north or south…degrees (°) are a division of a circle…
Northern hemispherelatitude values are referred to as “north or south”…example 23° north latitude
xxxx 0° to 90° north 0° to 90° south
Lines of longitude are given values from 0° to 180° west or east…
Western and easternlongitude values are referred to as “west or east”…example 123° west longitude
0° to 180° west 0° to 180° east
In latitude and longitude, it is important which hemisphere is being referenced, north, south, east or west…
As was mentioned, numerical values in terms of degrees have been assigned to latitude and longitude lines…
A system of sub units must be employed in order to accurately locate a position on this planet…
1º 1° can be divided into 60 smaller parts called minutes…60’
1’ 1’ can be divided into 60 smaller parts called seconds…60”
This type of division can provide accuracy to about 30 meters.
º (degrees) ‘ (minutes) “ (seconds)
Typical coordinates would look like this… 37º 42‘ 47“ N 121º 48‘ 08“ W
Northern hemisphere 37º 42‘ 47“ N 121º 48‘ 08“ W
Western hemisphere 37º 42‘ 47“ N 121º 48‘ 08“ W
So now, how do we use these concepts to locate positions on our planet?
We need to use a map. A map is a graphical representation of the surface of the planet. A pocket sized snapshot of part of the earth.
A map illustrates features on the surface of our planet. Such as…