Lesson 4

Where are we?

Understanding and representing absolute location
Use the website Finding points on a globe (KidsGeo, http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-forkids/0013-finding-points-on-a-globe.php) or another resource to complete the following activities
to develop your understanding of absolute location.

Latitude
1. What is latitude?

2. At what degree angle are the poles to the equator?

3. List the important parallels of latitude and the location of each.

4. Label these parallels of latitude on the map of the world below.

Longitude
1. What is the name given to lines of longitude and what do these lines measure?

2. Where is the Prime Meridian located?

3. Label the Prime Meridian on the map of the world.

4. Explain the benefits of using absolute location to identify the location of places.

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The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2013.
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Lesson 4
Map of the world

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The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2013.

Lesson 4
Using absolute location
Use the map of Thailand below and a ruler to complete the following table.
Identify the latitude and longitude for each of the features listed in the table. Use the nearest full
degree of latitude and longitude. An example has been completed for you.

Place or feature

Latitude

Longitude

Chiang Ma

19N

99E

Nong Kha

103E

Sukhotha

15N

105E

Bangko

Chon Buri

13N

Ko Chan

Phangnga

Ko Tarutao

99E

7N

100E

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The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2013.
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Map: Thailand attractions

HANDY HINTS!
Lines of latitude and
longitude are like an
invisible grid that
covers the Earth.
Latitude is always
stated before
longitude.
Parallels of latitude
have a value from 0
to 90 and measure
how far south or
north of the Equator
a place is located.
Meridians of
longitude have a
value between 0 and
180 and measure
how far east or west
a place is located
from the Prime
Meridian.
The absolute
location of places is
described using
coordinates of
latitude (north or
south) and longitude
(east or west).

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The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2013.
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