Name: ___________________________
Date: ______________
Lab #2: Determining Latitude and Longitude
Class: ________
Science
We can locate any point on a graph by naming its x and y coordinate. Likewise, every place on Earth’s surface can be located
by naming its specific latitude and longitude. The latitude and longitude are the coordinates of the location.
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Latitude is always listed first, followed by the longitude
Latitude must include a direction ‘N’ or ‘S’ (except for 0° <equator>)
Longitude must include a direction ‘E’ or ‘W’ (except for 0° <prime meridian> or 180° <IDL>)
Latitude and longitude are measured in degrees. The symbol for degree is: °.
To specify locations more precisely, cartographers divide each degree of latitude and longitude into 60 smaller units
called minutes. The symbol for minutes is ‘. This has nothing to with measuring time.
Part I:
1. One degree of latitude is equal to _________ minutes.
2. All longitudes (meridians) in New York State are ___________ of the prime meridian.
3. All latitudes (parallels) in New York State are _____________ of the equator.
Part II: Using the New York State map on page of your Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT), determine the latitude and
longitude to the nearest five minutes for the locations below. Syracuse, New York is modeled below.
City
Latitude
Longitude
Syracuse
43°10’N
76°10’W
Slide Mt.
Massena
Binghamton
Ithaca
Albany
Elmira
Jamestown
Oswego
Part III- Use page 4 of your Earth Science Reference Table and the coordinates below to determine either what continent it
is, or what major ocean it is. The first coordinate has been modeled for you.
Coordinates
Ocean/Continent
North Pacific Ocean
38N, 170W
30S, 120E
10S, 30E
80N, 180
23.5S, 80E
10S, 70W
40N, 120W
80S, 180
40N, 30W
30N , 0
60N, 150E
Part IV-- Use page 5 of your Earth Science Reference Table showing the tectonic plates of Earth as well as other intraplate
features, locate the coordinates of each mantle hotspot. Hawaii has been modeled for you.
Hotspot
1. Hawaii
2. Canary Islands
3. St. Helena
4. Bouvet
5. Galapagos
6. Yellowstone
7. Iceland
8. Easter Island
Latitude
Longitude
23 N
157 W