Ground Rules for Latitude and Longitude:
1. Latitude and Longitude are called
coordinates.
2. Latitude, the coordinate for north or south,
is always listed first (28ºN, 13ºW).
3. Longitude, the coordinate for east or west,
is always listed second (28ºN, 13ºW).
4. Both latitude and longitude are given in
degrees, represented by º.
5. One degree can be divided into 60
minutes, represented by '. (23º30'N = 23.5º)
6. One minute can be divided into 60
seconds, represented by ". (16º31'18"W)
Title: Oct 21-8:02 AM (3 of 7)
Steps for Plotting Latitude and Longitude:
1. Look at the coordinates, and determine in which hemispheres the
point will be located. For example, 31ºN, 31ºE would be in the
Northern Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
2. Once you know which hemispheres your point is in, determine which
quarter or quadrant of the map your point will be in. In this case, our
point would be in the Northeast quadrant, or the top right quarter.
3. Count the number of degrees north or south from the Equator for the
Latitude (the first coordinate). In this case, count 31º north of the
Equator.
4. Count the number of degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian for
the Longitude (the second coordinate). In this case, count 31º east of
the Prime Meridian.
Title: Oct 21-7:50 AM (4 of 7)