This document discusses latitude and longitude and how they are used to determine absolute location on Earth. It defines relative location as describing where something is in relation to other places, while absolute location uses latitude and longitude to specify the exact position. Latitude and longitude form a grid system and are measured in degrees north/south of the equator for latitude, and east/west of the Prime Meridian for longitude. Their intersection provides a unique position and absolute location for any place on Earth. Examples are provided to illustrate how to read latitude and longitude coordinates.

1. LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
MR. ARNOLD

2. WHAT IS LOCATION?
• Where something is located at on Earth
• Absolute Location: The exact location of something using latitude and longitude.
• Relative Location: where something is in relations to places or things around it.

3. RELATIVE LOCATION
• Uses cardinal directions to tell where
something is compared to something
else
• Not an exact location, just enough
information so that a person has an
idea where the place is

4. ABSOLUTE LOCATION
• This is much more exact than
relative location
• With absolute location you tell
a person exactly where
something is located by using
latitude and longitude

5. UNDERSTANDING LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• Lines of latitude and
lines longitude cross
one another.
• They form a grid system
around the earth.
http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/globe.jp
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6. LATITUDE
• Imaginary lines that circle the earth
parallel to the Equator.
• They measure north and south of
equator in degrees.
• The Equator is at 0° latitude.
• The North Pole is at 90°N (north).
• The South Pole is at 90°S (south)

7. LONGITUDE
• Imaginary lines that circle the
earth from Pole to Pole.
• They measure east and west of
the starting line, at 0° longitude
or the Prime Meridian.
Maps101.com

8. ABSOLUTE LOCATION
• Only one place can be found at the point where lines cross one another
• This is its absolute location.
Practice Questions:
1.) Where are the lines of Latitude?
2.) Where are the line of longitude?
3.) What is the absolute location of Sonora?
4.) What city is located at 37°N, 122°W?
5.) What is the relative location of Crescent
City?

9. USING LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• Use the information provided on your notes to answer the questions.

10. REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS
1. On the blank next to each number of degrees on the chart, place the letter E (east), W (west), N (north), or S (south).
2. Find “1” on the chart and write “E” along this line. Draw a BOLD line over the equator.
3. The equator is 0 degrees latitude.
4. Latitude is measured north and south from the equator.
5. Latitude lines run east and westbut measure distance north and south.

11. REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS
6. Find “2” on the chart and write “PM” along the line. Draw a squiggly line over the Prime
Meridian.
7. The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees longitude.
8. Longitude is measured east and west from the Prime Meridian.
9. Longitude lines run north and south but measure distance east and west of the Prime
Meridian.

12. EXIT TICKET
• What is the difference between Latitude and
Longitude?
• Why do geographers use latitude and
longitude?