Longitude
Definition
Longitude refers to the angular distance east or west of the prime meridian, which is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. It helps us determine a specific location on Earth's surface.
Analogy
Think of longitude as the vertical lines on a world map, similar to ladder rungs that help you climb up or down. Each line represents a different measurement of how far you are from the prime meridian, just like each rung represents a different height from the ground.
Related terms
Latitude: Latitude refers to the angular distance north or south of the equator. It helps us determine a specific location on Earth's surface.
Prime Meridian: The prime meridian is an imaginary line that serves as a reference point for measuring longitude. It passes through Greenwich, London.
Coordinates: Coordinates are pairs of numbers (latitude and longitude) that pinpoint a specific location on Earth's surface.
"Longitude" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.