Name __________________________________ Date ______________________ Block 8_
Latitude and Longitude
Latitude lines are east-west lines parallel to the equator used to measure distance in degrees
north and south, from 0° at the equator to 90° north at the north pole and 90° south at the
south pole
Longitude lines are north-south lines running between the poles, used to measure distance in
degrees east and west of the prime meridian, from 0° at the prime meridian to 180° east and
west.
The equator is the imaginary line dividing Earth’s surface into Northern and Southern
hemispheres; establishes 0° latitude.
The prime meridian is the imaginary line dividing Earth’s surface into Eastern and Western
Hemispheres, established as 0° longitude at Greenwich.
The International Date Line (IDL) is the imaginary line on the surface of the Earth that runs
from the north to the South Pole roughly following 180° longitude. The IDL is on the opposite
side of the Earth to the Prime Meridian.
The first day of summer occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. This day has the
longest daylight period and is called the summer solstice. At the summer solstice, the
Northern Hemisphere is at its maximum tilt toward the sun. Because this tilt is equal to 23.5°,
the sun is straight overhead at locations along the latitude line of 23.5°N. The latitude line at
23.5°N is the Tropic of Cancer.
Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere on or about December 21st. This is the shortest day
of the year, when the sun follows its lowest and shortest path across the sky, and is called the
winter solstice. At the winter solstice, the southern Hemisphere is at its maximum tilt toward
the sun. Because this tilt is equal to 23.5°, the sun is straight overhead at locations along the
latitude line of 23.5°S. The latitude line at 23.5°S is the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Arctic Circle is the latitude line at 66.5°N. At the summer solstice, it will be light for 24
hours. At the winter solstice, it will be dark for 24 hours.
The Antarctic Circle is the latitude line at 66.5°S. At the summer solstice in June, it will be dark
for 24 hours. At the winter solstice in December, it will be light for 24 hours.