GEOGRAPHY HANDBOOKGEOGRAPHY HANDBOOK
How Do I Study Geography?
Geography HandbookGeography Handbook
Introduction to Latitude & Longitude
Using Maps and Globes
Hemispheres
The Equator - imaginary line that divides the earthinto Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Using Maps and Globes
Hemispheres
Using Maps and Globes
The Prime Meridian along with the International Date Line divide the earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Using Maps and Globes
Using Maps and Globes
Hemispheres diagram
Directions to the local bank? Latitude Lines
Using Maps and Globes
Parallels circle the earth and show latitude, the distance in degrees north or south of the equator. (0 degrees latitude). The North Pole is 90 degrees North latitude. The South Pole is 90 degrees South latitude.
Latitude represents north-south location, and it is shown on a map or globe by a series of east-west running lines that parallel the equator, which marks the midpoint between the two poles all around the earth's circumference -- these lines of latitude are called "parallels."
Figure 2 -- parallels of latitude
Using Maps and Globes
Latitude Other important latitude lines are:Tropic of Cancer (23 1/2 degrees N. lat.) Tropic of Capricorn (23 1/2 degrees S. lat.) Arctic Circle (66 1/2 degrees N. lat.) Antarctic Circle (66 1/2 degrees S. lat.).
Using Maps and Globes
Using Maps and Globes
Longitude Meridians run north to south from pole to pole. They tell longitude, the distance in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude).
Using Maps and Globes
Opposite the Prime Meridian is the International Date Line (180 degrees long.).
Longitude represents east-west location, and it is shown on a map or globe by a series of north-south running lines that all come together at the North Pole and at the South Pole and are the widest apart at the equator -- these lines of longitude are called "meridians."
Figure 1 -- meridians of longitude
Be aware of the potential for confusing yourself: a. Longitude = E/W location, but it is shown by a series of N/S running lines called meridians. b. Latitude = N/S location, but it is shown by a series of E/W running lines called parallels.
Using Maps and Globes
Absolute Location
Using the earth's grid system, latitude and longitude, gives you the absolute location of a place.
Using Maps and Globes
Using Maps and Globes
In mathematics, how do you determine the shortest distance between two places? Great Circle Route
Using Maps and Globes
The shortest distance between two places on the earth.
A great circle divides the earth into equal halves.
Using Maps and Globes
Great Circle Route
Great circle route
Traveling along a great circle is called a great circle route.
Globes show them accurately.
Maps can distort distances so the great circle route may appear longer than a straight line on a flat map. Never Trust A Map!
Great circle diagram
Relative Location
Continent – 7 –