Physical Geography Lab Study Guide - GPS and Locational Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Global Positioning System (GPS) and locational coordinate systems (latitude and longitude) from the Physical Geography Lab notes.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system that consists of three parts: Earth orbiting satellites, control and monitoring stations across the Earth, and GPS receivers owned by individuals.

GPS Satellites

A set of $24$ satellites that orbit around the Earth every $12\,\text{hours}$ broadcasting their position and time.

Geocaching

A popular high-tech "treasure" hunting game that utilizes GPS units.

Lines of Latitude

Also called parallels, these lines run east-west and measure distance north or south of the equator.

Parallels of Latitude

East-west lines of latitude that are small circles, with the exception of the equator which is a great circle.

Equator

The parallel located at $0^\circ$ latitude which is a great circle.

Degree of Latitude

A unit measuring distance north or south of the equator, with a length equal to $111\,\text{km}$.

Lines of Longitude

Also called meridians, these lines run north-south and measure distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Meridians

Lines of longitude that form half of a great circle ($180^\circ$) whose ends are located at the North and South poles.

Prime Meridian

The meridian referred to as $0^\circ$ longitude, which runs through Greenwich, England.