Name

Latitude
andLongitude
Now that you know about gnds and coordinates,it is time to learn about the
imaginary lines that surround the earth and can be used to isolate a specific place.
Actually they are used much like those you used in the "Nevada Bob's" activity. There
are lines that go east and west around the globe. Those lines are parallel to one
another and are called lines of latitude. Remember these statements about lines of
latitude:

. Latitude is measured both north and south of the equator and the
lines of latitude are called either north or south,

o The equator is the dividing line which runs around the earth in an
easVwest direction and is used as the starting point to measuring
distances north and south.

o The equator is located at 0o latitude. North latitudes extend from

0o to 90o,which is the north pole. South latitudes extend from
0o to 90o,which is the south pole.

o Lines of latitude are called parallels becausethe distance between

them remains the same all the way around the earth.

Look at the globe to the right and mark the 900 rvorrg ?oLE
lines of latitude in each case.Be certain to
indicate whether the latitude lies north or
south of the equator. Use the letters N and 60'
S to indicate your answer. The first one is
done for you. 40'

400N 11

L2

13

L4

5. 10 15

iO'sotrn fuue

@FrankSchafferPublications.
Inc. 12 FS -1018Geogr
1 aphy.. .USA
-
I

Name

The imaginary lines that go north and south around the globe are known as lines of
longitude. They are also referred to as meridians. Unlike the parallels which always
remain the same distance from other parallels, the lines of longitude converge at the
north and south poles. Below are several other facts worth remembering about lines of
longitude:

o The prime meridian rs the line from which all other lines of longitude
are measured.

. The prime meridian is 0olongitude.

o The prirne meridian runs through Greenwich, England.

. All meridians east of the prime meridian extend to 180owestlongitude.

. All meridians west of the prime meridian extend to 180" east longitude.

1. Look at a goodmap of the world that showslines of longitude. Is the United States
east or west of the prime meridian?

2. The prime meridian also divides the earth into the Eastern and Western
Hemispheres. In which hemisphere doesmost of Africa lie?

3. Is South America in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere?

4. Is Russia east or west of the prime meridian?

5. Is Japan in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere?

6. Is Australia in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere?

What is the approximate longitude of each of these U.S. cities?

7. New York

8. Los Angeles

9. Chicago

10.Denver

O FrankSchafferPublications.lnc. 13 FS-10181
Geography
. . . USA
 Name

Location
Absolute
We can combinethe uge of both the lines of latituale and the lines of longitude to
pinpoint the preciselocationof any placeon Earth. It simply becomesa caseof finding
the location of the parallel (line oflatitude) north or south ofthe equator.The next step
is to find the location of the meridian and determineits locationeast or west of the
prime meridian. When both of these stepshave been correctly done,finding the point
where the two lines meet will correctly pinpoint the location of whatever it is you are
trying to show(or find). This accuratemethodoflocating placesis calledabsolzle
Locationand it is actually more correct than relative location, which you learned about
earlier.

For example, look at the map that accompaniesthis activity. If you were given the
coordinatesto find a city that is locatedat 38oNorth Latitude and 90oWest Longitude,
you would detenninethat the city in questionis St. Louis, Missouri.

Your task in this part of the activity is to isolate the coordinatesin each casebelow,
look at the map provided,and determinewhich U.S. city on the map is locatedat that
intersection. Place the name of the city in the blank spaceprovided.

1. 47o North Latitude, L22" West Longitude

2. 28" North Latitude, 82oWest Longitude

3. 34" North Latitude, 84oWest Longitude

4. 33oNorth Latitude, LLT, West Longitude

D. 33o North Latitude, LLzoWest Longitude

6. 42o North Latitude, 87oWest Longitude

7. 40o North Latitude, 105oWest Longitude

8. 21oNorth Latitude, L57oWest Longitude

9. 39oNorth Latitude, 94oWest Longitude

10. 36oNorth Latitude, 87oWest Longitude

1L. 42oNorth Latitude, 71oWest Longitude

L2. 4l-oNorth Latitud e, 740 West Longitude

@FrankSchafferPublications,
lnc. 14 FS-10181
Geography
. . . USA
-

CL
G'

lnc.
@FrankSchafferPublications, FS-10181 . . . USA
Geography
 CL
G'

@FrankSchafferPublications,Inc. FS-10181
Geography
. . . USA
 Name

Location
Absolute
We can combinethe use ofboth the lines of latitude and the lines of longitude to
pinpoint the precise location of any place on Earth. It simply becomesa caseof finding
the location of the parallel (line oflatitude) north or south ofthe equator.The next step
ie to find the location of the meridian and determine its location east or west of the
prime meridian. When both of these stepshave been correctly done, finding the point
where the two lines meet will correctly pinpoint the location of whatever it is you are
trying to show(or find). This accuratemethodoflocating placesis calledobsolzfe
Iacation and it is actually more correct than relative location, which you learned about
earlier.

For example, look at the map that accompaniesthis activity. If you were given the
coordinatesto find a city that is located at 38oNorth Latitude and 90' West Longitude,
you would detemine that the city in question is St. Louis, Missouri.

Your task in this part of the activity is to isolatethe coordinatesin eachcasebelow,

look at the map provided, and determine which U.S. city on the map is located at that
intersection. Place the name of the city in the blank spaceprovided.

1. 47" North Latitude, L22oWest Longitude

28oNorth Latitude, 82oWest Longitude

3. 34oNorth Latitude, 84oWest Longitude

4. 33oNorth Latitude, LIT' West Longitude

b. 33o North Latitude, II2o West Longitude

6. 42oNorth Latitude, 87oWest Longitude

7. 40o North Latitude, 105oWest Longitude

8. 2LoNorth Latitude, L57oWest Longitude

9. 39oNorth Latitude, 94oWest Longitude

10. 36oNorth Latitude, 87oWest Longitude

11. 42oNorth Latitude, TLoWest Longitude

L2, 41o North Latitude, T4oWest Longitude

lnc.
@FrankSchafferPublications. 14 FS-10181 . . . USA
Geography

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