📚 Latitude: Defining the Horizontal
Latitude lines, also known as parallels, circle the Earth horizontally, measuring the distance north or south of the Equator. The Equator is $0^{\circ}$ latitude, while the North Pole is $90^{\circ}$ N and the South Pole is $90^{\circ}$ S.
- 🧭Definition: Angular distance of a place north or south of the Earth's Equator.
- 📏Measurement: Measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
- 🌍Orientation: Runs east to west, parallel to the Equator.
🧭 Longitude: Defining the Vertical
Longitude lines, also called meridians, run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole, measuring the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian, located at Greenwich, England, is $0^{\circ}$ longitude. Longitude ranges from $0^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$ east or west.
- 📍Definition: Angular distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian.
- 📐Measurement: Also measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
- 🌎Orientation: Runs north to south, converging at the poles.
🗺️ Latitude vs. Longitude: The Key Differences
Here's a table summarizing the key distinctions between latitude and longitude:
| Feature |
Latitude |
Longitude |
| Direction |
North-South |
East-West |
| Lines |
Parallels |
Meridians |
| Reference Point |
Equator ($0^{\circ}$) |
Prime Meridian ($0^{\circ}$) |
| Range |
$0^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ N/S |
$0^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$ E/W |
| Convergence |
Never Converge |
Converge at the Poles |
🔑 Key Takeaways for AP Human Geography
- 📍Location, Location, Location:🌍 Latitude and longitude together provide a unique coordinate for any location on Earth.
- 🗺️Mapping & Navigation:🧭 Accurate determination of latitude and longitude is essential for mapping, navigation, and understanding spatial relationships.
- 📅Time Zones: ⏰ Longitude is directly related to the establishment of time zones due to the Earth's rotation. Each 15° of longitude corresponds to a one-hour difference in time.
- ☀️Climate Zones: 🌡️ Latitude significantly influences climate patterns, as locations at different latitudes receive varying amounts of solar radiation.