Part 1: Understanding Globe Coordinates

Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator. Latitude lines run east to west and are also called parallels. The Equator is 0° latitude. The North Pole is 90°N, and the South Pole is 90°S.

Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. Longitude lines run from pole to pole and are also called meridians. The Prime Meridian is 0° longitude. Longitude reaches 180°E or 180°W.

Use the globe diagram. Remember: latitude comes first, followed by longitude. The letters N, S, E, and W show direction.

Complete the Comparison

1. Latitude measures distance ________ or ________ of the Equator.

2. Longitude measures distance ________ or ________ of the Prime Meridian.

3. Lines of latitude run generally from ________ to ________.

4. Lines of longitude run from the ________ Pole to the ________ Pole.

5. The Equator divides Earth into the Northern and ________ Hemispheres.

6. The Prime Meridian helps divide Earth into the Eastern and ________ Hemispheres.

Hemispheres Practice

Part 2: Reading and Using Coordinates

Coordinate Reading: Write the location represented by each coordinate in words. Then identify its hemispheres when asked.

Plotting and Matching

Match each description in Column A with the correct coordinate in Column B. Write the letter on the line.

Answer Key

1. north; south

2. east; west

3. east; west

4. North; South

5. Southern

6. Western

7. Northern and Western Hemispheres

8. Southern and Eastern Hemispheres

9. 40 degrees north latitude, 74 degrees west longitude

10. 15 degrees south latitude, 30 degrees east longitude

11. 51 degrees north latitude on the Prime Meridian

12. On the Equator and 80 degrees west longitude

13. 33 degrees south latitude, 18 degrees east longitude

14. 64 degrees north latitude, 21 degrees west longitude

15. 60°N, 10°E; it is farther from the Equator.

16. 30°N, 90°W; it is farther west of the Prime Meridian.

17. 0°, 120°E

18. 45°S, 0°

19. E    20. F    21. C    22. D    23. A    24. B

25. Sample answer: Latitude identifies how far north or south a place is, and longitude identifies how far east or west it is. Together, the two measurements pinpoint one exact location.