# Lines of Latitude and Longitude

Circles of latitude (parallel)

Many (imaginary) lines have been drawn across the earth, making it possible to precisely (precies) indicate the position of a ship or a village. This is called the absolute location.

The equator is considered the center line of the earth. It is a line with some special characteristics (kenmerken):
* It is the longest circle that can be drawn around the earth.
* Day and night take the same time.
* The equator divides the earth into two equal parts (the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.
* From the equator the North Pole is as far away as the South Pole.

Parallel to the equator are (on paper) lines drawn: the parallels. Each parallel has a number, which shows how far away the parallel is from the equator. At the equator the number is 00, the North Pole and the South Pole have the highest numbers: respectively 900 NL (northrn latitude) and 900 SL (southern latitude).

The distance between 2 parallels with a whole number (for example between 3000NB and 3100NB is about 111 km) is quite a lot and therefore each degree is subdivided (onderverdeeld) into 60 minutes (60`) and every minute in 60 seconds (60``).

Places that are close to the equator lie on a low latitude; places not far from the poles are at high latitude.

Circles of longitude (meridians)

With parallels we can divide (indelen) the earth into slices, but for a correct positioning, circles of lontitude are also required between the North Pole and the South Pole. These are the meridians. In 1884 the meridian of Greenwich (near London) was chosen as a zero line at an international conference. The prime meridian divides the world in the eastern hemisphere and the western hemisphere. The count starts at the prime meridian; on the other side of the earth these hemispheres meet at the meridian of 1800. Parallels and meridians together form the earth's degree network (gradennetwerk)

When we talk about the coordinates, it is important to know how to write them down. You must always first note the coordinate of the Northern- or Southern Latitude. Then you note the Longitude (western or eastern longitude).

Assignment 3

You now know a little how the coordinates work.

You can now make the assignments on the assignment sheet that you receive from your teacher.

If you have not received it you can also download it here.