Latitude and Longitude Theme 1: Location

Test Your Knowledge  T or F: Lines of latitude run from east to west.  T or F: Lines of longitude run from east to west.  T or F: Latitude measures the location of a point east or west of the Equator.  T or F: Longitude measures the location of a point east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Latitude (parallels)  Definition: Imaginary lines that run parallel to the Equator  They run from east to west  Horizontal lines  LATITUDE=THINK OF STEPS OF A LADDER LATITUDE=“FLAT”ITUDE

Latitude  Measured in degrees NORTH or SOUTH  Degrees are determined by how far north or south of the Equator a place is  Equator= most important line of latitude  The Equator is at 0° latitude.

Latitude  Lines of latitude NORTH of the Equator measured in °N.  Lines of latitude SOUTH of the Equator measured in °S.  Ex: Bettendorf, Iowa is located 41° north of the Equator, so its latitude is 41°N.

Longitude  Definition: Imaginary lines that run beside the Prime Meridian  They run from north to south  Vertical lines  LONGitude= Think LONG (like long hair)

Longitude  Measured in degrees EAST OR WEST  Degrees are determined by how far east or west of the Prime Meridian a place is  Prime Meridian=most important line of longitude  The Prime Meridian is at 0° longitude.

Longitude  Lines of longitude WEST of the Prime Meridian measured in °W.  Lines of longitude EAST of the Prime Meridian measured in °E.  Ex: Bettendorf, Iowa is located 90° west of the Prime Meridian, so its longitude is 90°W.

Global Grid  Together, lines of latitude and lines of longitude make a grid system.  Using this grid system, you can determine the exact location of any point on Earth.

Now it’s your turn!  Work with the person sitting next to you.  Find the atlas underneath your desk.  On the back side of your notes sheet, number 1-5.

Write the answers to the following questions in your notebook.  1. I am in an ocean at 30 °S latitude, 60°E longitude. What ocean am I in?  2. I am on a continent at 0 ° latitude, 30°E longitude. What continent am I in?  3. I am in a country at 60°N, 100°W. What country am I in?  4. I am climbing a mountain at 10°S, 76°W. What mountain range am I in?  5. I am in a city at 40°N, 116°E. What city am I in?

Write the answers in your notebook.  1. I am in an ocean at 30 °S latitude, 60°E longitude. What ocean am I in?  Indian Ocean  2. I am on a continent at 0 ° latitude, 30°E longitude. What continent am I in?  Africa  3. I am in a country at 60°N, 100°W. What country am I in?  Canada  4. I am climbing a mountain at 10°S, 70°W. What mountain range am I in?  Andes Mountains  5. I am in a city at 40°N, 116°E. What city am I in?  Beijing