Latitude and Longitude Guided Notes

Lines of Latitude and Longitude Lines of Latitude and Longitude make up an imaginary grid system on the surface of the Earth. They can be used to find the absolute location of something on the Earth.

Latitude Lines of Latitude run east and west around the Earth but measure distance NORTH AND SOUTH of the equator. You can remember lines of latitude by remembering they look like a ladder, climbing up or down from the equator.

Lines of Latitude

Latitude Draw a ladder in the box Label the equator on the ladder What direction do the lines of latitude MEASURE? North and South. They are also called parallels.

Longitude Lines of Longitude run North and South around the Earth but measure distance EAST AND WEST of the Prime Meridian. You can remember lines of longitude by remembering they look like a railroad tracks, going right or left from the Prime Meridian around the Earth.

Lines of Longitude

Longitude Draw a railroad track in the box Label the Prime Meridian on the railroad track What direction do the lines of longitude MEASURE? East and West. They are also called meridians.

How they’re written Example: N 42° 19’ 20” W 83° 10’ 34” ° is the degree ‘ is the minutes “ is the seconds Quick Practice: N 42° 20’ 20” W 83° 2’ 54” → Which is latitude and which is longitude?

A trick to remember Latitude and Longitude Say “Latitude” out loud. Notice the corners of your mouth spread out to the East and West. Say “Longitude” out loud. Notice your lips spread to the North and South.