GEOGRAPHY HANDBOOKGEOGRAPHY HANDBOOK

How Do I Study Geography?

Geography HandbookGeography Handbook

Introduction to Latitude & Longitude

Using Maps and Globes

Hemispheres

The Equator - imaginary line that divides the earthinto Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Using Maps and Globes

Hemispheres

Using Maps and Globes

The Prime Meridian along with the International Date Line divide the earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Using Maps and Globes

Using Maps and Globes

Hemispheres diagram

Directions to the local bank? Latitude Lines

Using Maps and Globes

Parallels circle the earth and show latitude, the distance in degrees north or south of the equator. (0 degrees latitude). The North Pole is 90 degrees North latitude. The South Pole is 90 degrees South latitude.

Latitude represents north-south location, and it is shown on a map or globe by a series of east-west running lines that parallel the equator, which marks the midpoint between the two poles all around the earth's circumference -- these lines of latitude are called "parallels."

Figure 2 -- parallels of latitude

Using Maps and Globes

Latitude Other important latitude lines are:Tropic of Cancer (23 1/2 degrees N. lat.) Tropic of Capricorn (23 1/2 degrees S. lat.) Arctic Circle (66 1/2 degrees N. lat.) Antarctic Circle (66 1/2 degrees S. lat.).

Using Maps and Globes

Using Maps and Globes

Longitude Meridians run north to south from pole to pole. They tell longitude, the distance in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude).

Using Maps and Globes

Opposite the Prime Meridian is the International Date Line (180 degrees long.).

Longitude represents east-west location, and it is shown on a map or globe by a series of north-south running lines that all come together at the North Pole and at the South Pole and are the widest apart at the equator -- these lines of longitude are called "meridians."

Figure 1 -- meridians of longitude

Be aware of the potential for confusing yourself: a. Longitude = E/W location, but it is shown by a series of N/S running lines called meridians. b. Latitude = N/S location, but it is shown by a series of E/W running lines called parallels.

Using Maps and Globes

Absolute Location

Using the earth's grid system, latitude and longitude, gives you the absolute location of a place.

Using Maps and Globes

Using Maps and Globes

In mathematics, how do you determine the shortest distance between two places? Great Circle Route

Using Maps and Globes

The shortest distance between two places on the earth.

A great circle divides the earth into equal halves.

Using Maps and Globes

Great Circle Route

Great circle route

Traveling along a great circle is called a great circle route.

Globes show them accurately.

Maps can distort distances so the great circle route may appear longer than a straight line on a flat map. Never Trust A Map!

Great circle diagram

                                                                                          

Relative Location

Continent – 7 –