Understanding Latitude & Longitude

Typical Graph Each point has two values: Y axis Each point has two values: The “X” value that runs along the horizontal “X” axis The “Y” value that runs along the vertical “Y” axis X axis

East West, North South on The Earth Let the X axis be the Equator. Let the Y axis be the Prime Meridian that runs through Greenwich outside of London. Lat/Long are the 2 grid points by which you can locate any point on earth. Y X

North, South, East, West on the Earth Let each of the four quarters then be designated by North or South and East or West. Everything North of the Equator is the Northern Hemisphere Everything South of the Equator is the Southern Hemisphere Everything West of the Prime Meridian is the Western Hemisphere Everything East of the Prime Meridian is the Eastern Hemisphere N W E S

North, South, East, West on the Earth (N, W) (N, E) The N tells us we’re north of the Equator. The S tells us we’re south of the Equator. The E tells us that we’re east of the Prime Meridian. The W tells us that we’re west of the Prime Meridian. Where is the US (N/S Lat. and E/W Long)? (S, W) (S, E)

North, South, East, West on the Earth (N, W) That means all points in North America will have a North latitude and a West longitude because it is North of the Equator and West of the Prime Meridian. Prime Meridian

North, South, East, West on the Earth What would be the latitude and longitude directions in Australia? ? Prime Meridian If you said South and East , you’re right!

What is Latitude? Definition: Latitude is the distance from the equator along the Y axis. All points along the equator have a value of 0 degrees latitude. North pole = 90°N South pole = 90°S Values are expressed in terms of degrees. 90°N Y X 90°S

This is also true of longitude. What is Latitude? 90°N Y Each degree of latitude is divided into 60 minutes. Each minute is divided into 60 seconds. X 90°S This is also true of longitude.

This is close to the latitude where you live. What is Latitude? 90°N For Example: 43° 47’ 16.7” N This is close to the latitude where you live. Y X 90°S

What is Longitude? Longitude is the distance from the prime meridian along the X axis. All points along the prime meridian have a value of 0 degrees longitude. The earth is divided into two parts, or hemispheres, of east and west longitude. Y X 180°W 180°E

The earth is divided into 360 equal slices (meridians) What is Longitude? The earth is divided into 360 equal slices (meridians) 180 west and 180 east of the prime meridian Y X 180°W 180°E

What is Latitude and Longitude? Our latitude and longitude might be: 43° 47’ 16.7” N 123°, 03’, 43.9’’W 90°N Y X 90°S

(0,0) is off the western coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. So Where is (0,0)? The origin point (0,0) is where the equator intersects the prime meridian. (0,0) is off the western coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.

See If You Can Tell In Which Quarter These Lat/Longs Are Located B 1. 41°N, 21°E 2. 37°N, 76°W 3. 72°S, 141°W 4. 7°S, 23°W 5. 15°N, 29°E 6. 34°S, 151°E C D

Let's See How You Did! 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. B 6. D

See if you can find those same latitude/longitude locations on a map!

In Summary!

Positioning on the Earth’s Surface East is the direction of rotation of the Earth Equator Latitude 0o Latitude: (90oN to 90oS) North Pole South Pole Prime Meridian 0o Longitude Longitude: (180oE to 180oW) Longitude 60o West Longitude 30o West Longitude 60o East 90o Longitude 30o East 66½o Latitude 23½o North Tropic of Cancer 23½o 21st June 22nd December 22nd Sept 20th March 90oW 60oW 30oW 90oE 30oE 60oE 23½o 900 Latitude 23½o South Tropic of Capricorn Longitude 90o West Longitude 90oEast Latitude and Longitude together enable the fixing of position on the Earth’s surface.

Now you’re ready to find some locations on a map!