Understanding Latitude and Longitude. Because the address is in numbers, people can communicate about location no matter what language they might speak. A global address is given as two numbers called coordinates.
It has horizontal lines and vertical lines that intersect. A location can be mapped or found on a grid system simply by giving two numbers which are the location's horizontal and vertical coordinates; or, to say it another way, the "intersection" where the place is located. Latitude Horizontal mapping lines on Earth are lines of latitude. They are known as "parallels" of latitude, because they run parallel to the equator. One simple way to visualize this might be to think about having imaginary horizontal "hula hoops" around the earth, with the biggest hoop around the equator, and then progressively smaller ones stacked above and below it to reach the North and South Poles.
Each meridian measures one arc degree of longitude. The distance around the Earth measures degrees. The meridian that runs through Greenwich, England, is internationally accepted as the line of 0 degrees longitude, or prime meridian. The antimeridian is halfway around the world, at degrees. It is the basis for the International Date Line. Half of the world, the Eastern Hemisphere, is measured in degrees east of the prime meridian.
The other half, the Western Hemisphere, in degrees west of the prime meridian. Degrees of longitude are divided into 60 minutes.
Each minute of longitude can be further divided into 60 seconds. A degree of longitude is about kilometers 69 miles at its widest.
The widest areas of longitude are near the Equator , where the Earth bulges out. Because of the Earth's curvature , the actual distance of a degrees, minutes, and seconds of longitude depends on its distance from the Equator. The greater the distance, the shorter the length between meridians. All meridians meet at the North and South Poles. Longitude is related to latitude , the measurement of distance north or south of the Equator. Lines of latitude are called parallel s.
Maps are often marked with parallels and meridians, creating a grid. The point in the grid where parallels and meridians intersect is called a coordinate. Coordinates can be used to locate any point on Earth. Knowing the exact coordinates of a site degrees, minutes, and seconds of longitude and latitude is valuable for military , engineering , and rescue operation s. Coordinates can give military leaders the location of weapons or enemy troops. Coordinates help engineers plan the best spot for a building, bridge, well, or other structure.
Coordinates help airplane pilots land planes or drop aid packages in specific locations. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email.
Matt Rosenberg. Geography Expert. Updated January 30, Featured Video. View Article Sources.
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