Latitude and Longitude
Geographic grids are intersecting lines drawn on maps and globes. They are used to help locate and describe specific areas. Two sets of lines encircle the globe: lines latitude and lies of longitude.
Lines of Latitude
The lines of latitude are parallel, horizontal and run from east to west. The equator is the imaginary line from which latitude is measured; it is equidistant from the poles, dividing the globe into the northern and southern hemispheres.
Lines of Longitude
Unlike line of latitude which become progressively shorter as they near the poles, all of the lines of longitude are the same length. Longitudinal lines run from north to south, each individual vertical line intersecting at both poles. The Prime Meridian is a selected line from which all of the others are measured.
Any location on the globe can be described in terms of its angular distance from the reference points of the equator (0o latitude) and the Prime Meridian (0o longitude). When you write down the latitude and longitude for a specific location you first write the degree north or south of the equator and then the degrees east or west from the Prime Meridian. In the example below, Shanghai would be located at approximately 32oN, 122oE.
Lines of Latitude
The lines of latitude are parallel, horizontal and run from east to west. The equator is the imaginary line from which latitude is measured; it is equidistant from the poles, dividing the globe into the northern and southern hemispheres.
Lines of Longitude
Unlike line of latitude which become progressively shorter as they near the poles, all of the lines of longitude are the same length. Longitudinal lines run from north to south, each individual vertical line intersecting at both poles. The Prime Meridian is a selected line from which all of the others are measured.
Any location on the globe can be described in terms of its angular distance from the reference points of the equator (0o latitude) and the Prime Meridian (0o longitude). When you write down the latitude and longitude for a specific location you first write the degree north or south of the equator and then the degrees east or west from the Prime Meridian. In the example below, Shanghai would be located at approximately 32oN, 122oE.
A bit of fun...