The Globe: Latitudes and Longitudes

The Globe

A globe is a spherical model of the Earth. It represents the Earth more accurately than a flat map because the Earth is not flat; it is a sphere (slightly flattened at the poles).

Parallels of Latitude

Latitudes are imaginary circles drawn parallel to the Equator.

• Equator: The largest circle, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is marked as $0^\circ$.
• North Pole: $90^\circ \text{N}$
• South Pole: $90^\circ \text{S}$

Meridians of Longitude

Longitudes are semi-circles running from the North Pole to the South Pole.

• Prime Meridian: The $0^\circ$ longitude passing through Greenwich, London.
• Calculation: Longitudes go from $0^\circ$ to $180^\circ$ East and $0^\circ$ to $180^\circ$ West.
• 180° Longitude: The point where East and West longitudes meet.

Coordinates

The point where a latitude and a longitude cross is called a Coordinate.

• Example: Delhi is located at approximately $29^\circ \text{N}$ latitude and $77^\circ \text{E}$ longitude.