Finding locations on the Earth

Latitude (parallels)

• imaginary lines drawn around the earth parallel to the equator

• definition – the distance north or south, measured in degrees, from the equator

• North Pole 90 degrees N 90°N

• South Pole 90 degrees S 90°S

Equator

• an imaginary line half way between the poles that divides the earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere

Longitude (meridians)

• imaginary lines that pass through the poles

• are not parallel• definition – is the distance east or west, measured

in degrees, from the Prime Meridian

Prime Meridian

• divides the earth into the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere

• 0 degrees longitude; passes through Greenwich, England

• east lines of longitude are found east of the Prime Meridian

• west lines of longitude are found west of the Prime Meridian

International Dateline

• opposite of the Prime Meridian

• 180 degrees meridian 180°

Using Latitude and Longitude

• lines of latitude and longitude intersect, forming grids on maps and globes

• grid system is used to find locations north or south of the equator or east and west of the Prime Meridian