Geography 110L (Introduction to the Natural Environment
–
Lab)
Lab 1: The Geographic Grid and Time Zones
Part 1: The Geographic Grid
Locations on the Earth’s surface can be described using the Geographic Grid. This grid consists of a series of parallel
lines called lines of latitude and a series of lines which converge at the poles called lines of longitude. By knowing a
location’s specific latitude and longitude, you can describe its position on Earth’s surface.
Latitude: Parallel lines measuring distance North or South of the Equator (also known as parallels)
Important lines of latitude:
Equator (0°)
Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N), Arctic Circle (66.5°N), North Pole (90°N)
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S), Antarctic Circle (66.5°S), South Pole (90°S)
Longitude: Lines measuring distance East or West of the Prime Meridian (also known as meridians)
Important lines of longitude:
Prime Meridian (0°)
International Date Line (180°)
Did you know? Latitude and Longitude are angular measurements expressed in Degrees (°). 1° can be divided into 60
minutes (‘) and 1’ can be divided into 60 Seconds (“).
