Latitude and Longitude Mini Lesson - Grade 8

Essential Question: How is absolute location found? Objective: SWBAT: Locate places on earth, using latitude and longitude.

Why use latitude and longitude? lines on a globe form a grid system help locate places on the earth easily Latitude - or parallels circle the earth parallel to the equator Longitude - or meridians circle the earth from pole to pole

Latitude Latitude lines measure distance north and south of the equator. The equator is 0 degrees. At what degrees is the North Pole? South Pole? How did you determine this?

Longitude Lines of longitude measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees longitude. The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England.

Absolute Location Together the lines form a grid system which enables us to find the absolute location of a place on earth

Absolute Location Only one place on earth can be found at the specific point where a specific line of latitude crosses a specific point of longitude. By using degrees and minutes, people can locate a precise spot on earth. Mystery - How do we differentiate between the Equator and Prime Meridian is they are both at 0 degrees????

Latitude is always first! When giving a coordinate or trying to find a place on earth, latitude must always be given first. So….. If trying to find 0, 30W, you know 0 degrees is referring to the equator, why?

Finding locations Since latitude measures distance north or south of equator, it must always have a N or S after it. For example: 10 N, 60 E Longitude measures distance east and west of the Prime Meridian so it must alway be given second and have a E or W after it.

Where in the world is it? Continent at 40 N, 100 E? Ocean at 20 S, 80 E 80 S, 0 Give the coordinates of Africa and Europe

What did you learn? Why are latitude and longitude important? What does latitude measure? Longitude? If you are giving the coordinates 45 N, 0 , how do you know what line zero refers to? Explain… Any questions?