Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude are geographic coordinate systems used to locate places on the Earth's surface. They provide a way to specify a location's position in terms of its distance from the equator and the prime meridian.

Latitude

Latitude lines run east-west around the Earth and measure the distance north or south of the equator. The equator is designated as 0 degrees latitude, and lines of latitude are measured in degrees from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles. The Northern Hemisphere is designated with N for north, while the Southern Hemisphere is designated with S for south.

Longitude

Longitude lines run north-south from pole to pole and measure the distance east or west of the prime meridian. The prime meridian, located in Greenwich, England, is designated as 0 degrees longitude. Lines of longitude are measured in degrees from 0° at the prime meridian to 180° east or west. The Eastern Hemisphere is designated with E for east, while the Western Hemisphere is designated with W for west.

Coordinate Notation

Locations on Earth are expressed using both latitude and longitude coordinates. For example, the coordinates for the city of Paris, France are approximately 48.8566° N latitude, 2.3522° E longitude.

Study Guide

What are latitude and longitude?
How are latitude lines measured?
What is the equator and where is it located?
How are longitude lines measured?
What is the prime meridian and where is it located?
What is the coordinate notation for a location on Earth?
Identify the latitude and longitude coordinates for specific locations on a map.

Understanding latitude and longitude is essential for navigating and locating places on Earth. It also helps in understanding the Earth's geography and climate patterns.