Name _____________________________________________________________________________
Word
Map Grid
Date __________________________
Latitude and Longitude Definitions
Definition
Picture
A system of imaginary lines that divides up space
on a map (used to find locations)
Longitude
Imaginary lines that measure distance east and
west of the Prime Meridian (Meridians).
The 180º Line is exactly half way around the Earth
from the Prime Meridian
Latitude
Imaginary lines that measure distance north and
south of the Equator (Parallels)
Equator
It is the 0º latitude line. It circles the Earth
midway between the North and South Poles. All
other latitude lines are parallel to the equator.
Prime Meridian
It is the 0º longitude line. All other longitude lines
measure distance from the Prime Meridian.
Period _______
180 º Line
The line of longitude halfway around the world
from the Prime Meridian (Separates the Eastern
and Western Hemispheres along with the Prime
Meridian)
Hemisphere
One half of a sphere. Earth can be divided into
Eastern and Western Hemispheres or Northern
and Southern Hemispheres
Tropic of Cancer The northernmost line of latitude where the sun’s
rays ever beat straight down (Sun shines directly
on this line on June 21 or 22)
Tropic of
Capricorn
The southernmost line of latitude where the sun’s
rays ever beat straight down (Sun shines directly
on this line on December 22 or 23)
Time Zones
The 24 zones into which the Earth is divided using
the 24 hour clock; Each 15 degrees of longitude is
equal to one hour of time
(ex: the mainland U.S. is divided into four time
zones – Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific)