Latitude & Longitude

Question 1

Latitude (a.k.a. Parallels of Latitude) [Lat.]

Answer 1

Imaginary lines that are drawn around the Earth from East to West. Each line runs parallel to the others. Lines of latitude range from -90* to 90*.

Question 2

Equator

Answer 2

Situated at 0 degrees Latitude. The Equator divides the world into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Question 3

Longitude (a.k.a. Meridians of Longitude) [Long.]

Answer 3

Imaginary lines which run in a north-south direction from the North Pole to the South Pole. Lines of longitude range from 0* to 180* (till you reach the 180th Degree Meridian).

Question 4

Greenwich/Prime Meridian

Answer 4

Marks 0 degrees Longitude. This line runs through Greenwich Observatory in London. It splits the world into the Eastern & Western Hemispheres.

Question 5

Locating using Lat. & Long.

Answer 5

The intersection of the lines of Lat. and Long. can pinpoint any location on Earth’s surface. They form a grid-like pattern on top of the Earth and each grid square. To further pinpoint exact locations, each degree (a Lat./Long. grid square) is divided into 60 min. Each minute is divided into 60 secs.

e.g. Bendigo is 36.46’S 144.17’E