Scribd
Upload
8 views2 pages

Understanding Latitude and Longitude Basics

The document explains the coordinate system used for mapping the Earth, detailing latitude and longitude measurements. Latitude is measured from the Equator with parallels, while longitude is measured from the Prime Meridian with meridians, creating four hemispheres. It also discusses the distance between parallels and meridians, emphasizing the variations in distance as one approaches the poles and introduces the concept of Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds for precise location identification.

Uploaded by

skibidislicers
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views2 pages

Understanding Latitude and Longitude Basics

The document explains the coordinate system used for mapping the Earth, detailing latitude and longitude measurements. Latitude is measured from the Equator with parallels, while longitude is measured from the Prime Meridian with meridians, creating four hemispheres. It also discusses the distance between parallels and meridians, emphasizing the variations in distance as one approaches the poles and introduces the concept of Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds for precise location identification.

Uploaded by

skibidislicers
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Coordinate System

So Far, We Have Seen…

 Latitude Measures any distance from the Equator (0 Degrees)

 Any distance ABOVE the Equator has a degree value from 1 to 90 degrees North

 Any distance BELOW the Equator has a degree value from 1 to 90 degrees South

 The latitudinal lines are called PARALLEL

 One Parallel per degree

 Longitude measures any distance from the Prime Meridian (0 Degrees)

 Any distance LEFT from the Prime Meridian has a degree value from 1 to 179 degrees
West.

 Any distance RIGHT from the Prime Meridian has a degree value from 1 to 179 Degrees
East.

 The longitudinal lines are called MERIDIANS.

 The 180th Degree Meridian (opposite to the Prime Meridian) is called INTERNATIONAL
DATE LINE.

So, the World has 4 Hemispheres: 2 for Latitude (Northern & Southern) and 2 for Longitude (Western &
Eastern)

Coordinate System – The Main Rules:

 Ask yourself first: WHERE the part of the World I am observing is located?

 Latitude: North or Southern Hemisphere? Where is the Equator from the location I am
observing?

 Longitude: Western or Eastern Hemisphere? Where is the Prime Meridian from the
location I am observing?

 Example: Arizona – is in the Northern Hemisphere (Latitude) & Western Hemisphere


(Longitude).

Distance – between parallels, between meridians Distance between each parallel is 69 miles (111 Km).

 Ex.: from the Equator to 1 Degree North there are 69 Miles. Same on 1 Degrees South.

 Between 1 and 2 Degrees North or 1 and 2 Degrees south, 69 Miles

 And so on…

 So, between the Equator and 2 Degrees North or South: 69x2= 138 Miles

With Longitude it is a little bit tricky…


 With longitude, when the meridians are close to the Equator, their distance for each degree is
also about 69 miles (111km)

 The closer to the Poles (North & South) the less is the distance between each degree

 WHY??

 BECAUSE EARTH IS A SPHERE!!!

Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS)

 What if something is located in between lines of latitude and longitude? How do you find it?

 Degrees – the 360 segments the globe is divided into, symbol: ˚

 Minutes – degrees are divided into minutes, 1 degree = 60 minutes, symbol: ‘

 Seconds – minutes are divided into seconds, 1 minute = 60 seconds, symbol: “

You might also like