Absolute location
 Absolute location – the exact
spot at which a place is found on
the globe
 To find absolute location
geographers use a grid system
using lines that run north to
south and east to west
 This system helps you find places
on the earth’s surface
Latitude
 Lines of latitude measure the
distance north or south.
 Equator-the line that runs across
the middle of the earth and
measures O degrees.
 The equator divides the earth into
2 hemispheres: north and south
 If a place is above the equator it
has a north latitude, if it is below
it has a south latitude.
Longitude
 Lines of longitude measure the
distance east or west
 Prime meridian-the line that runs
north to south and measures O
degrees
 The prime meridian divides the earth
into two hemisphere: east and west
 If a place is east of the Prime meridian
it has an east longitude, it is west of
the prime meridian it has a west
longitude
The Global Grid
 Every place has a global address, called the absolute
location.
 Latitude and Longitude are measured in degrees.
 For more precise measurements degrees are divided
into minutes.
 Example: Owensboro’s absolute location is Latitude: 37
degrees 46 minutes N, Longitude: 87 degrees 7 minutes
W.