 Distance measure in degrees- from 0 o to 90 o North or South of the equator  Equator- primary reference point  Lines are called parallels- form complete circles around the earth; are parallel to the equator  each point on a parallel is the same distance from the equator  Any parallel of latitude is described by the number of degrees it is north (N) or south (S) of the equator  Equator divides earth into the northern and southern hemispheres

 Distance measured in degrees- from 0 o to 180 o east or west of the prime meridian  Prime meridian- primary reference point, drawn through Greenwich, England  Lines are called meridian- start at north pole an end at south pole  Any meridian of longitude is described by the number of degrees it is east (E) or west (W) of the prime meridian- meet at the 180 o meridian which runs through the Pacific Ocean (International Date Line)  Prime Meridian and 180 o meridian divide the eastern and western hemispheres