Longitude and Latitude Basic Map Skills Longitude and Latitude

Compass Rose

Longitude Lines of Longitude run vertically (up & down). They are also called Meridians. The Prime Meridian is found in Greenwich, England. The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees Longitude.

Longitude Lines of Longitude locate places East or West of the Prime Meridian. There are 180 degrees of east Longitude, and 180 degrees of west Longitude.

Greenwich, England

Longitude Longitude Lines of measurement east or west of the Prime Meridian Note: There are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute.

What is Longitude? The earth is divided into two parts, or hemispheres Y The earth is divided into two parts, or hemispheres east and west longitude. X 180°W 180°E

Latitude What is Latitude? Lines of Latitude run horizontally (sideways) Latitude is measured in degrees. The Equator is 0 degrees Latitude. Lines of Latitude locate places North or South of the Equator. The North Pole is 90 degrees N Latitude, and the South Pole is 90 degrees S Latitude.

Values are expressed in terms of degrees. What is Latitude? North pole = 90°N South pole = 90°S Values are expressed in terms of degrees. 90°N Y X 90°S

Ecuador

East West, North South on the Earth 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. (N, W) (N, E) (S, W) (S, E)

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

Match Longitude and Latitude Another name for lines of longitude Meridians States that border Ohio Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky Direction that meridians run North and South The four cardinal directions North, East, South, West Direction that parallels run East and West South Pole 90 S Another name for lines of latitude Parallels North Pole 90 N Major line of latitude at 0 Equator Equator divides Earth into Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere Major line of longitude at 0 Prime Meridian Prime Meridian divides Earth into Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere

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