Map Coordinates Review

Equator A line that divides the planet into northern and southern hemispheres Has a measure of 0 degrees of Latitude.

Latitude Lines running parallel to the equator. Indicate the distance north or south from the equator, in degrees. The largest value for Latitude is 90 degrees North or South, at the poles.

Prime Meridian A line that divides the planet into Eastern and Western Hemispheres, running from the North pole to the south pole through Greenwich, UK. Has a measure of 0 degrees of longitude.

Longitude Lines (also called meridians) that run parallel to the Prime Meridian. Indicates the distance East or West from the Prime Meridian, in degrees. The largest value for Longitude is 180 degrees.

International Dateline This meridian is found at 180 degrees. It is on the opposite side of the world from the Prime Meridian.

North Pole Latitude – 90 degrees North Longitude – All longitude lines converge at the poles, so it does not have a specific longitude measurement. (This is NOT the same as having a longitude of 0.)

South Pole Latitude – 90 degrees South Longitude – All longitude lines converge at the poles, so it does not have a specific longitude measurement. (This is NOT the same as having a longitude of 0.)

Coordinates (Latitude and Direction, Longitude and Direction) – (45 N, 15 W) The poles just show a latitude Measurement: – 90 N or 90 S The Equator has no latitude direction, since it isn’t north or south of itself. So, at the equator at a longitude of 45 degrees west: – (0, 45W) The Prime Meridian and International Dateline have no longitude direction, so at latitude 45 South they would read: – (45 S, 0) and (45 S, 180)