Introduction to Latitude and Longitude

 

Imagine a single dot in a ball. How would you describe its location ? It would be difficult to tell the exact location. The same thing applies to find out the location of a place on the earth's surface It will be difficult to locate the place without any reference. Such reference lines are imagined and drawn on the maps and globes. These lines are called latitudes and longitudes. 

Latitude 

The earth is a sphere (almost, but not quite) that rotates around its axis. If we draw a line passing through the center of the earth along its rotational axis, the line would pass through the north and the south pole. The equator is an imaginary line perpendicular to the axis. It is equidistant  from the north and south poles and divides the globe into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. In the given value of 0 degree horizontal line is the equator. C is the center of the earth. P is the place whose latitude is marked 40 degree N. An angle is made from the center of the earth to the place P. Thus, latitude can be defined as an angular distance of a place either north or south from the equator. IF we move either up or down from the equator, our distance increases and so does the angle to it. Eventually, we reach either the North or South Pole. Standing on these poles a 90 degree angle to the equator is formed. Thus, the poles have 90 degree latitude. It means, except the equator, there are 90 lines of latitude in the northern hemisphere and 90 lines of latitude in the southern hemisphere. These are drawn parallel to the equator. Therefore, they are also called the lines of parallels. They are drawn in a equal distance. The distance between two latitudes is 111 km. They are measures in degree, minute and second. For example, 15⁰  30 ^'  45 ^"

Facts about lines of latitudes: 

• They are known as parallels. 
• They run parallel to the equator and are circles. 
• They measure distance north or south of the equator. 
• They cross the prime meridian at right angles. 
• They get shorter toward the poles. 
• The equator is the largest circle which is also called a great circle. 

Longitude 

Longitudes are imaginary lines passing across the equator joining the North and South poles. In other words, longitude is an angular distance drawn from the center of the earth either east or west of the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that passes through Greenwich in London. So, it is also called Greenwich line. The prime Meridian divides the earth into two equal halves i.e. Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere. All the other longitudes are measured and named after the angle they make with respect to the center of the either west or east of the prime meridian. Since a sphere has 360 degree, the earth is also divided into 360 degree longitudes. Thus, it has 180 lines of longitude in the eastern hemisphere and 180 lines of longitude in the western hemisphere. There is a common longitude of 180 Degree East and 180 Degree West longitudes right opposite the Prime Meridian. This longitude is drawn vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole without touching any landmass. This longitude is known as the International Date Line (going west), one day is gained. Similarly, whenever we cross it going east, one day is lost. The distances between two longitudes in the equator is 111 km. but the distance varies they move north or south.

Facts about the lines of longitude: 

• They are known as meridians. 
• They run in a north-south direction. 
• They measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. 
• They are farthest apart at the equator and meet at the poles. 
• They cross the equator at right angles. 
• They are equal in length. 
• They are semi-circular. 

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