Map and Globe Skills

Use of Latitude and Longitude

Objectives Use latitude and longitude to determine the exact

locations of places on Earth. Collect, analyze, and interpret information from

maps.

Why it matters?

People all over the world use the grid systems forms by lines of latitude and longitude to communicate information about locations. Ships and aircrafts use the system to describe their positions as do computers in many makes of cars.

Vocabulary

Relative location - the location of a place where it is compared to other places on earth.

Absolute location - is the exact location of any place on Earth.

Lines of latitude - the lines that run east and west. Also called parallels; lines are always the same

distance from each other. They are measured in degrees north and south of the

equator which is labeled zero degrees.

Lines of longitude- the lines that run north and south on a map or globe.Also called lines of meridians. each meridian runs from the North Pole to

the South Pole. Meridians meet at the poles. The meridian marked zero degree is called

the prime meridian.