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Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude are the coordinates using which we can find the exact location of a particular place.

Geography is the study of the Earth’s surface’s many habitats, locations, and spaces, as well as their relationships. The Greeks were the first to develop and designate their own identity almost 2,000 years ago. Ptolemy, the author of one of the first books on the subject, characterised geography as “a portrayal in images of the entire known globe combined with the events which are included therein.” The term “geography” generally refers to a region’s topography—its reprieve and sewerage trends, predominant vegetation, as well as climate and weather patterns—along with human responses to that environment, such as farming lands, small/medium/large industry and urbanisation patterns.

What do you mean by Latitudes?

Latitudes are measured in relation to a near the equator plane surface. This plane travels through all the sphere’s centre C and includes the great circle marking the equator. The latitude of a point P on the surface is defined by the inclination of a solid line passing through both P and C with reference to the equatorial area.

The latitude is positive (or northerly) if P is greater than the standard plane; if P is less than the regular plane, the latitude is negative (or southerly) (or southerly). Angles of latitude can range from +90 degrees (or 90 degrees north) to -90 degrees (or 90 degrees south) (or 90 degrees south). Latitudes of +90 degrees and -90 degrees correspond to the northern and southern geographic poles of the Earth, respectively.

What do you mean by Longitudes?

Longitude is determined by the meridian, which is a 1/2 circle that runs from pole to pole. A standard meridian, known as the prime meridian, is chosen as the basis by which longitudes are determined. The Earth’s prime meridian passes through Greenwich, England, and is hence known as the Greenwich meridian.

The angle formed by the plane the meridian crossing through P and the plane retaining the prime meridian is the longitude of a point on the ground. Longitude is positive if is east of the prime meridian and negative if the point is west of the prime meridian.

Longitude angles can range from +180 (180 degrees east) to -180 (180 degrees west) (180 degrees west). The longitude meridians of +180 and -180 degrees meet immediately opposite the prime meridian.

Latitude and Longitude: Difference 

The latitude and longitude coordinates may be used to specify any spot on the earth’s surface. As a result, we may specify practically any spot on the planet by utilising latitude and longitude. Latitude and longitude are both expressed in degrees, which are further subdivided into fractions of seconds.

Geographic coordinates are frequently referred to as latitudes and longitudes. They offer a systematic network of lines on which the location of different earth’s surface characteristics may be recorded. The position, distance, and orientation of numerous places may be easily established using these coordinates. Latitude and longitude are 2 different lines that identify where you are on the Earth’s surface.

In the table below a few points regarding the difference between latitude and longitude is given: –

Latitude

Longitude

Latitude is a geographical metric that defines the location of an item along the equator’s north-south axis

Longitude is an artificial geographical measure that defines an object’s location east-west of a prime meridian

Latitudes are measured from east to west, hence horizontal lines are used

Longitudes are measured from north to south, resulting in vertical lines

Latitudes are also referred to as parallels

Meridians are another name for longitudes

Latitude lines are parallel

The Prime Meridian is the longitudinal lines’ centre reference point

The Equator serves as the principal point of reference for latitude lines

Longitude lines are not parallel and have varying lengths

There are 181 latitude lines

There are 360 longitude lines

The latitude range is 0 to 180 degrees

Longitude has a range of 0 to 360 degrees

The Greek letter is used as a sign of latitude (phi)

Longitude is represented by the Greek letter (lambda)

Latitude lines aid in categorising the various heat or temperature zones

Longitude lines aid in categorising the various time zones

Latitude lines split the globe, northern and southern hemispheres

Longitude lines split the globe, eastern and western hemispheres

 Conclusion

Longitude and Latitude are invisible borders that let us designate any location on the earth’s surface. The equator, which travels horizontally across the fattest section of the world, is the most significant line of latitude. Longitudes are thus hypothetical circles that cross the North and South Poles, as well as the Equator. A Meridian is half of a longitudinal circle. Meridians run transverse to latitudes. The Prime Meridian is located at 0° longitude and splits the Earth into two halves: the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the Railway Examination Preparation.

What is the total number of latitudes?

Answer: The Equator serves as the centre point of reference for all latitude lines on the planet. I...Read full

What is the total number of longitudes?

Answer: Because a circle or sphere has 360 degrees and longitudes are expressed in degrees. As a co...Read full

Does longitude remain constant?

Answer: Meridians are not parallel and do not remain a certain length apart. Instead, meridians are...Read full