1. Finding Locations on Earth
1 Models of the Earth
Finding Locations on Earth

2. Reference Points
The points at which Earth’s axis of rotation intersect Earth’s surface are used as reference points
Equator
Prime Meridian

3. Parallels Parallels – circle that runs east and west around the Earth
Parallel to equator

4. Latitude Latitude – angular distance north or south from equator
Degrees

5. Latitude 360 degrees in a circle Equator to poles = ¼ of a circle
¼ of a 360 = 90 degrees
1 degree = 1/360 of earth’s circumference = 111 km’s

7. Minutes and Seconds 60 minutes in a degree 1 minute = 1.85 km
Washington D.C.
38°53’ N
60 seconds in a minute
38°53’23”N

8. Longitude Meridians – semi circles that runs from pole to pole
Greenwich, England – Prime Meridian
Longitude – angular distance measured east or west from P.M.

9. ½ 0f 360° = 180
0 – 180 East or West
Washington D.C.
77°00’33” W

11. Distance between meridians vary
@ poles it is less than at equator

12. International Date Line
180 degree Longitude
Goes through Pacific ocean

15. Great Circles
Divides globe into halves
Latitude
Longitude

16. Finding Direction
Geomagnetic vs. geographic poles

17. Magnetic Declination
Angle between the direction of geographic pole and the direction in which the compass needle points
Important for map making and navigation

18. GPS Global Positioning System Network of 24 satellites
Commercial – accurate between 10 – 15 m
Military - centimeters