Earth is a Globe
Earth is a Globe
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Circles are measured in degrees!
Circles are measured in degrees!
The Earth is divided by degrees of two circles-horizontal and vertical circles.
Latitude & Longitude
Latitude & Longitude
The parallel lines of division that run horizontally around Earth are called lines of latitude.
They run North & South from the Equator-0°.
The Arctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Antarctic Circle are important latitudes. They are associated with climate!
The parallel lines of division that run vertically around Earth are called lines of longitude.
They run East & West from the Prime Meridian (aka Greenwich Meridian)-0°.
As you move 15° in Longitude, you change an hour in time! The International Dateline at 180° is the place on Earth where the date changes. If you cross Westward you travel forward to the next day. If you cross Eastward you travel backward to the previous day.
Together Latitude & Longitude create coordinates
Together Latitude & Longitude create coordinates
Crossing point = Coordinates
Crossing point = Coordinates
(Latitude, Longitude)
(Latitude, Longitude)
You can find any place on Earth by where the Latitude and Longitude lines cross.
Latitude +/-
Latitude +/-
North is positive
South is negative
Longitude +/-
Longitude +/-
East is positive
West is negative
Here's an example!
Here's an example!
(41.596°N, -87.2458°W)
(41.596°N, -87.2458°W)
Your school is located at the coordinates above. This means the school is:
41° North of the Equator
87° West of the Prime Meridian
Test your coordinate skills!
Test your coordinate skills!
Click the world to play a game that test your latitude and longitude skills.
Check out other ways to divide the Earth
Check out other ways to divide the Earth
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