Learning Objective Locate a position on a map

Learning Objective: Locate a position on a map as well as provide the latitude and longitude of a location by using Earth’s coordinate system.

Earth’s Coordinate System Every single spot on the earth can be identified by a global latitude and longitude coordinate system.

Latitude (aka parallels) Parallel lines, Run east-west Lat is “flat” Latitude is measured in degrees North or South of the equator. The equator is located at 0 ° latitude. This is our reference point! Above equator = North, Below equator = South The maximum values for latitude (90 ° N and 90 ° S)-The north and south poles! Latitude is always given before longitude (49° N 100° E) and a place's latitude effects its climate, but its longitude does not! Key lines of latitude include the tropic of cancer (23° 26' N), tropic of capricorn (23° 26' S), the arctic circle (66° 33' N), and the antarctic circle (66° 33' S)

All points that have the same latitude lie on a circle that is parallel to the equator.

For Reference 1 degree of latitude is equivalent to approximately 69 miles, 1 minute of latitude is equivalent to 1. 1 mile, and 1 second is about 100 feet. The same kind of comparison can only be made for longitude at the poles because the distance between degrees gradually decreases toward the poles.

Longitude (aka meridians) Vertical lines, run North to South Longitude is measured in degrees east or west of the prime meridian. The maximum value for longitude is 180 ° of the Prime Meridian. It is the opposite of the prime meridian (it is the same going either east or west) The Prime Meridian is located at 0° longitude. This is our reference point. This spot is the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, UK. The longitude line that runs through it is called the Prime Meridian and is longitude 0 ° longitude. The closer to the poles you get, the shorter the distance between meridians until they all actually converge at the poles.

Latitude Longitud e

PRIME MERIDIAN 0⁰ NORTH EQUATOR EAST WEST 0⁰ SOUTH PRIME MERIDIAN EQUATOR 0⁰

Modeling For example, New York city is 40° N 74° W For example, the location of the White House in Washington, DC is: Deg: Min: Sec Lat: 38° 53' 55" N Lon: 77° 02' 15" W

Latitude & Longitude of New York City Approximately 40° N, 74° W

The latitude and longitude of Paris, France is 48 N, 20 E

Degrees and Minutes • Latitude and Longitude readings are typically reported in degrees (°), minutes (‘) and seconds (“) • There are 60 minutes (') per degree, and 60 seconds (") per minute. Example- 40° 37’ 44’’N (latitude) And 73° 45’ 09’’W (longitude) Example- 45 ° 30 ’ is half way between 45 and 46 degrees.

Group Work-Latitude & Longitude Activity Worksheet In groups , you will complete the worksheet. You will need to log onto google Earth to complete part 3. ___________________ ___ Extension Activity- Using google earth, determine the latitude and longitude of 2 additional locations.

Summary/Share-Out Each group will be asked to share out the answers to the worksheet questions

Reflection Why is it important to use a “universal” coordinate system (latitude/longitude)?