Map ElementsWhere in the world are we?

In this activity you will: Learn about some of the elements of

a map. You will be able to identify and define the following elements:• Longitude• Latitude• Prime Meridian• Equator

Latitude and Longitude The earth is divided into lots of lines

called latitude and longitude.

Latitude and Longitude Lines

Latitude lines run East and West (horizontally).

Longitude lines run North and South (vertically).

The lines measure distances in degrees.

Latitude

Longitude

What do Latitude and Longitude measure?

Latitude measures how far North or South a place is from the equator.

Longitude measures how far East or West a place is from the Prime Meridian.

Tip to remembering the lines!

Latitude lines are FLAT. Longitude lines are LONG.

Where is the 0 degree? The EQUATOR is 0 degrees latitude. It is an imaginary line that runs

halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole.

Equator

Where is the 0 degree? The PRIME MERIDIAN is 0 degrees

longitude. This imaginary line runs through the

United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica.

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MERIDIAN