Latitude and Longitude

Typical Graph

X

Y

(-X,+Y)

(+X,-Y)

(+X,+Y)

(-X,-Y)

Graphs may be dividedinto quadrants with theX and Y values beingeither positive (+) ornegative (-) dependingon the quadrant in whichthey are located.

Now let’s apply the sameprinciples to latitude andlongitude.

On the map horizontal linesare lines of latitude and....

vertical lines are lines oflongitude.

The X axis is the equator

and the Y axis which runsthrough Greenwich, Englandis the Prime Meridian.Equator

Prime Meridian

Any location north of the equator is a NORTH LATITUDE ORIs considered the Northern Hemisphere

Any location south of the equator is a SOUTH LATITUDE or is considered the Southern Hemisphere

Any location west of the prime meridian is a WEST LONGITUDE or is considered the Western Hemisphere

Any location east of the prime meridian is an EAST LONGITUDE Or is considered the Eastern Hemisphere

We can divide the Earth into quadrants: NE where alllatitudes are NORTH and all longitudes are EAST.

We can divide the Earth into quadrants: SE where alllatitudes are SOUTH and all longitudes are EAST.

We can divide the Earth into quadrants: SW where alllatitudes are SOUTH and all longitudes are WEST.

We can divide the Earth into quadrants: NW where alllatitudes are NORTH and all longitudes are WEST.Notice that EVERY point in the United States will have a NORTHlatitude and a WEST longitude since we are in the NW quadrant.

90°S

90°N What is latitude?Latitude is the distancefrom the equator along theY axis. It is expressed in degrees.The north pole is 90° NThe south pole is 90° SAnd remember that theequator is 0° latitude.

What is the maximum possible latitude on Earth? 90° is maximum. You could be at 90°N or 90°S butthere is no greater latitude on Earth (or anywhere else)

0°

What is longitude?Longitude is the distancefrom the prime meridianalong the X axis.Just like latitude, longitudeis measured in degrees.The prime meridian is 0°

0°

And if you go half wayaround the world you willreach the 180° longitudeline.180° 180°

Understand that there aren’t two 180° lines. On this FLAT map it just looks that way. It’s the SAME line.What is the maximum possible longitude on Earth?180° is the maximum possible longitude on Earth.

Practice

hAs a class:hFind the Continent and

country or Ocean for each point:hA. 30N 45WhB. 30S 75EhC. 30S 135EhD. 40N 90W

hTo find the exact point when it is in between the given lines on the map do an estimate.hIf the point is half

way between 10N and 20N then the closest estimate would be 15NhIf the point is

closer to one line or the other then estimate 3 or 7ish-So the point is closer to

the 20N than the 10N estimate 17N

h As a class:-A. 35N 100E-B. 17S 47E-C. 55S 68W

hOn my own – identify the name of the city at this point:-A. 55N 38E -B. 34N 97W-C. 22S 43W-D. 7S 38E

hI360globe:hAt this point there

is a country that we can’t travel to;hWrite a short

paragraph identifying the country and why it sucks that we can’t go there based any of the selections

Here are some things to remember: Latitude is written first and must always include N (north) or S (south) of the equator.

> Longitude is written next and must always include E (east) or W (west) of the prime meridian.

> As with anything else you learn you will get better with practice.........

SO PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!