"Most of the maps we will use include latitude and longitude. These lines allow you to quickly and accurately locate places and features on the earth's surface. Latitude and longitude also play an important role in determining times and dates."
Latitude:
Lines of latitude are imaginary lines that run in an east-west (side-to-side) direction around the earth. Because the lines of latitude are parallel to each other, they are often referred to as parallels of latitude.
Lines of latitude are imaginary lines that run in an east-west (side-to-side) direction around the earth. Because the lines of latitude are parallel to each other, they are often referred to as parallels of latitude.
Important lines of Latitude:
- Arctic Circle
- Tropic of Cancer
- Equator
- Tropic of Capricorn
- Antarctic Circle
Latitude and the Weather:
(00:40 - 05:00)
(00:40 - 05:00)
FYI:
At higher altitudes, the sun's rays hit the earth at angle, meaning the same amount heat is distributed over a greater area. Places near the equator are, therefore, generally hotter than places near the poles.
At higher altitudes, the sun's rays hit the earth at angle, meaning the same amount heat is distributed over a greater area. Places near the equator are, therefore, generally hotter than places near the poles.
Longitude:
Lines of longitude run in a north-south direction (up and down). They are NOT parallel to one another, but pass through both the North and South poles. Any number of these lines can be drawn but they all meet at the poles. These imaginary lines are called Meridians of Longitude. The most important line of longitude is the Prime Meridian (0 degrees) which passes through Greenwich, England. All other lines of longitude are located east or west of this line.
Find out more:
Greenwich Meridian - "Where East Meets West"
Lines of longitude run in a north-south direction (up and down). They are NOT parallel to one another, but pass through both the North and South poles. Any number of these lines can be drawn but they all meet at the poles. These imaginary lines are called Meridians of Longitude. The most important line of longitude is the Prime Meridian (0 degrees) which passes through Greenwich, England. All other lines of longitude are located east or west of this line.
Find out more:
Greenwich Meridian - "Where East Meets West"
Longitude and Time:
The Prime Meridian separates east and west in the same way the equator separates north and south. The Prime Meridian helps the world determine time. The earth's 24 time zones (one for each hour of the day) are organised according to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). Places east of the Prime Meridian experience sunrise before UCT. Locations to the west of the Prime Meridian experience sunrise after UCT.
The Prime Meridian separates east and west in the same way the equator separates north and south. The Prime Meridian helps the world determine time. The earth's 24 time zones (one for each hour of the day) are organised according to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). Places east of the Prime Meridian experience sunrise before UCT. Locations to the west of the Prime Meridian experience sunrise after UCT.
FYI:
Australia has three time zones, while Russia has eleven. The zone boundaries zigzag in places so that people living in a region can operate on the same time.
Australia has three time zones, while Russia has eleven. The zone boundaries zigzag in places so that people living in a region can operate on the same time.
Using the Time Zone map above, discuss with your partner:
- Would Sydney (Australia) experience sunrise before or after the Prime Meridian?
- What time would it be in London (England) if it was 08:00am in Perth?
- What time would it be in Tokyo (Japan) if it was 12noon in Cape Town (South Africa)?
- How many hours behind Sydney (Australia) is Moscow (Russia)?
International Date Line:
The International Date Line (IDL) is on the opposite side of the world to the Prime Meridian, located at 180 degrees. Together, the Prime Meridian and IDL divide the earth into two halves: the Western and Eastern Hemispheres.
The IDL is the point at which the change of day takes place. When you travel from east to west across the IDL, you gain a day. Likewise, when you travel from east to west you lose a day. Example: Australians travelling to the USA often arrive at their destination before their departure time, because they've gained a day. When they go back to Australia however, they lose a day.
The International Date Line (IDL) is on the opposite side of the world to the Prime Meridian, located at 180 degrees. Together, the Prime Meridian and IDL divide the earth into two halves: the Western and Eastern Hemispheres.
The IDL is the point at which the change of day takes place. When you travel from east to west across the IDL, you gain a day. Likewise, when you travel from east to west you lose a day. Example: Australians travelling to the USA often arrive at their destination before their departure time, because they've gained a day. When they go back to Australia however, they lose a day.
Answer the following questions in your work book:
- Define the terms 'parallel of latitude' and 'meridian of longitude'
- What is the location and significance of the Prime Meridian and International Date Line (IDL)?
- How many time zones is the world divided into? What does each zone represent?
- Your Los Angeles flight leaves Sydney at 13:50 on the 10th April and takes 14 hours. What is the day and time when you land in Los Angeles?