What are latitudes and longitudes?

6 Jul 2021

What are latitudes and longitudes?

What are latitudes and longitudes?Latitudes and longitudes are imaginary lines that describe the location of any place on Earth. They are entirely made up but appear on maps and globes as if they existed. Lines of latitudes encircle the earth in an east-west direction. On the other hand, lines of longitudes move in a north-south direction.
Latitudes
Lines of latitudes encircle Earth parallel to the Equator. The Equator is an imaginary line that lies on the middle, bulging part of the globe. Latitudes show the positions of places, north and south of the Equator.

Latitudes are measure in degrees (°). These degrees are further broken down into smaller units minutes (′) and seconds (″). The Equator is on 0°. However, the total numbers of Lines of latitude are 181.

Besides the equator, other important latitudes are Arctic Circle at 66° 30′ N and Antarctic Circle 66° 30′ S, which encircle the cold regions of the northern and southern hemisphere. There is also the Tropic of Cancer 33°30′ N and Tropic of Capricorn 33°30′S, which encircle tropical (hot and humid) areas. Also, the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is called the Torrid Zone. This is area known for its hot weather.
Longitude
The lines which run from the North Pole and the South Pole are called longitudes. These lines are also known as meridians or longitudes. Like latitudes, meridians are also measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

There are 180 lines of meridians are there. The 0° longitude passes through Greenwich, which is located in London, England. This line of longitude is also known as the prime meridian.

So, when you combine latitudes and longitudes, they form grids that help us to find the exact location of a place.

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Latitudes and longitudes are imaginary lines that describe the location of any place on Earth. They are entirely made up but appear on maps and […]

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