Latitude, Longitude, and Maps

What are Latitude Lines? Imaginary circles that run east to west around the Globe Known as parallels Parallels divide the Globe into units called degrees.

Where is the Equator? Circles the middle of the Earth like a belt. Located halfway between the North and South Poles

What are Longitude Lines? Also known as meridians, run from the North Pole to the South Pole. The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees longitude and runs through Greenwich, England On the opposite side of the Earth is the 180 degrees meridian also known as the International Date Line.

What types of Map Projections are there? 1. Goode’s Interrupted Equal-Area Projection : shows continents close to their true shapes and sizes, helpful to compare land among different continents.

2. Robinson Projection Map: has minor distortions, continents and oceans are close to their sizes and shapes, but the North and South Pole appear flattened.

3. Mercator Projection Shows land shapes fairly accurately but not size or distance. Shows true directions, however, making it useful for sea travel.

4. Winkel Tripel Projection: gives a good overall view of continents shapes and sizes. Land not distorted near the poles.