Mapping the Earth

A globe is a scale model of the earth A globe is a scale model of the earth. It is useful for showing the entire earth.

A pattern of lines circles the globe in east-west and north-south directions. It is called a grid.

The east-west lines in the grid are lines of latitude.

Lines of latitude are called parallels because they are parallel to each other.

The equator is an imaginary line of latitude that measures distance north and south of the equator.

The equator is a 0 degree line of latitude that circles the globe halfway between the North and South Poles.

Latitude lines measure distance north and south of the equator in degrees.

The north-south lines are called longitude.

Lines of longitude are called meridians and pass through the Poles.

Meridians measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian Meridians measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that runs through Greenwich, England.

The Prime Meridian represents 0 degrees longitude.

Latitude ranges from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees North or 90 degrees South for locations at the Poles.

Longitude ranges from 0 degrees at the Prime Meridian to 180 degrees East or West.

The equator divides the globe into two halves called the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Prime Meridian divides the globe into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Our planet’s land surface is divided into seven large landmasses called continents.

Geographers organize the Earth’s waters into four oceans.