150 likes | 276 Views
Latitude and Longitude. Another type of grid system. Another Grid Type.
E N D
Latitude and Longitude Another type of grid system
Another Grid Type • If the Earth were flat, rectangular coordinates (x, y) would be sufficient to describe the locations of points on its surface. However, the Earth is a sphere with no sides, and a special frame of reference is needed. The poles of the Earth provide this reference frame.
Latitude • Latitude measures the angular distance of places north and south of the Equator
Latitude • Are imaginary, horizontal lines. • The Equator is the starting point for lines of latitude (0). • Measure the distance North & South of the Equator. • Lines are drawn around the earth, parallel to the Equator. • Lines never intersect with each other. • Lines are approximately 111km apart. • Lines are used as political boundaries
Latitude • Equator – an imaginary line that divides the Earth into 2 equal parts (Northern & Southern hemispheres).
Important Lines of Latitude • Arctic Circle -66.5°N • Tropic of Cancer -23.5 °N • Equator -0° • Tropic of Capricorn -23.5°S • Antarctic Circle -66.5°S
Longitude • Longitude measures the angular distance of places east and west of the Prime Meridian
Longitude • Are imaginary, vertical lines. • The Prime Meridian is the starting point for lines of longitude (0). • The International Date Line is the 180 meridian. • Measure the distance East and West of the Prime Meridian. • Lines are drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole. • Lines converge at the poles and are furthest apart at the Equator. • Lines are used to determine time zones
Longitude • Prime Meridian – an imaginary line that divides the Earth into 2 equal parts (Eastern & Western hemispheres).
Absolute Location • ABSOLUTE LOCATION • The location of a point on the Earth using latitude and longitude lines. • Using the latitude and longitude grid, we can pinpoint any place on the Earth. This location is specified by a series of numbers – degrees, minutes, seconds (i.e. 44 25’ 14”).
Latitude and Longitude Important Points to Remember: • Be sure to give latitude reference always first then longitude • Don’t forget to add the degree symbol and the N,S,E,W reference to each latitude and longitude reference number • Remember that both latitude and longitude lines are curved lines, to find a degree reference you must follow a curved path not a straight one • Remember that longitude lines spread apart as they move away from the poles, adjust your degree reference to accommodate for that