Latitude and

Longitude
 Lines of Latitude,
Longitude, & Hemispheres
Geography is filled with
imaginary lines….
 Imaginary Lines
►Geographers divide the Earth into
lines of latitude and longitude
 Latitude
► Lines of Latitude run from east to
west
► Also called Parallels b/c they will
never intersect (touch)

Latitude
 The Equator
►The Equator is 0 degree
latitude
►Is located halfway between the
North and South Poles
►Divides the Earth into the
Northern and Southern
Hemispheres

Equator
 Measurement of Latitude
► Lines of latitude are always
measured in degrees north or south
of the Equator
► For example:

15° N
 Longitude
►Lines run from north to south
►Also referred to as Meridians
►The lines meet at the North and
South Poles

Longitude
 The Prime Meridian

► ThePrime Meridian measures at 0

degrees longitude
►Dividesthe Earth into the
Eastern and Western
Hemispheres

Prime Meridian
 Measurement of Longitude
► Lines of longitude are always
measured in degrees east or west of
the Prime Meridian
► For example:

15° W
Check for Understanding

1. List 3 countries that the Equator runs

through

2. List 3 countries that the Prime

Meridian runs through

Check for Understanding

1. What hemisphere is Guyana located

in?
2. Name two continents located
entirely in the Northern Hemisphere:
3. Name one continent located entirely
in the Southern Hemisphere.
 Longitudes and Time
► Time is calculated from the 0 degree
longitude, also known as the Greenwich
Meridian.
► Time along this line of longitude is called
the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), from
which time for the rest of the world is
calculated.
 Key Points
► Each rotation of the earth takes 24hrs. If we
divide this rotation of 360 degrees by 24hrs, we
get 15 degrees.
► It means that one hour, or 60mis, is equivalent to
15 degrees longitude.
► 1 degree longitude is equivalent to four minutes
► Every 1 degree longitude to the east of the
Greenwich Meridian, four minutes are added.
► Every 1 degree longitude to the west of the
Greenwich Meridian, four minutes are subtracted.
 Calculating Time
► Example 1.
What is the time in country A located on 45
degrees east if the time at Greenwich is 12
noon?
a. If country A is located at 45 degrees E, its time will be ahead of
Greenwich
b. Remember that 15 degrees is equivalent to one hour. Therefore

45/15= 3 hours
Country A will be 3 hours.
 Calculating Time
What is the time in country B located on 76
degrees east if the time at Greenwich is 12
noon?
a. If country A is located at 45 degrees E, its time will be ahead of
Greenwich
b. Remember that 15 degrees is equivalent to one hour. Therefore

76/15= 5 hours with 1 degree remaining

Country B will be 5 hours. ??? minutes
 Calculating Time
► If it is 3pm at 45 degrees E, what is the
time at 75 degrees E?
a. Calculate the difference in degrees
b. Calculate the difference in time
- 75-45=30
- 30/15 = 2
Questions