Latitude and Longitude

TERM

Equator

DEFINITION

0 degree line of latitude that divides the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres

TERM

Prime Meridian

DEFINITION

0 degree line of longitude that is the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around the Earth

TERM

International Date Line

DEFINITION

180 degree line of longitude from which each calendar day starts. Areas to the west of the date line are one calendar day ahead of areas to the east

TERM

line of latitude

DEFINITION

parallel lines that measure degrees north and south of the Equator - these lines are equidistant and are 111 km apart

TERM

line of longitude

DEFINITION

semi-circular lines that measure degrees east and west of the prime meridian - these lines converge at the poles and are widest at the Equator