Guided Notes on Latitude and Longitude Define Cartography

Guided Notes on Latitude and Longitude

Define Cartography: ►Cartography mapmaking is the science of

What is the equator? Where is it located? ► The equator separates the Earth into 2 hemispheres. It circles the Earth halfway between the North and South Poles

Define and describe Latitude and Lines of Latitude ► Latitude is the distance in degrees north or south of the equator ► Lines running parallel to the equator are lines of latitude

►Each degree of latitude is equal to 111 km. To locate positions on Earth more precisely, cartographers break down degrees of latitude into sixty smaller units called minutes.

►One minute of latitude is equal to 1. 85 km. Minutes of latitude can be divided into 60 seconds.

Define and describe Longitude and Lines of Longitude ► Longitude is the distance in degrees east or west of the prime meridian. ► Lines of longitude locate positions in east or west directions.

What is the Prime Meridian? Where is it located? ► The prime meridian is a line of longitude that represents 0° longitude. It runs from the north pole to the south pole through Greenwich, England.

►Unlike lines of latitude, lines of longitude are not parallel. Instead, they are large semicircles that extend vertically from pole to pole.

► 180° longitude is also known as the International Date Line.

►The distances covered by degrees of longitude vary with location. One degree of longitude varies from about 111 km. at the equator to a point at the poles.

►In reference to the coordinates of a particular location, latitude always comes first.

Why is the earth divided into 24 time zones? ►Each time zone represents one hour in the 24 hours it takes for the earth to rotate on its axis.

►Each time zone is 15° wide, but some boundaries are adjusted because they would run through cities in which it would be confusing to have 2 different times.