Latitude
o imaginary lines that measure the distance north or south of the Equator (0°)
o lines are parallel to the Equator at regular intervals (approximately 113 kilometres apart)
What is Latitude?
- Its reference point is the equator. The equator’s latitude is O degrees.
- Even though the lines run horizontally, latitude measures north and south.
Longitude
o imaginary lines that measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°)
o all lines begin and end at the poles and therefore are not at a fixed distance apart
o the Prime Meridian (0°) was arbitrarily chosen at a point that runs through Greenwich, England
o the International Date Line (180°) is the point where one day begins and one day ends
The Prime Meridian
- The Prime Meridian
Why are Latitude & Longitude Important?
o They help us locate areas on the Earth through the use of coordinates and directions.
The International Date Line
- 180 degrees away from the Prime Meridian, on the opposite side of the world, we can find the highest longitude measurement, known as the International Date Line
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