Curriculum
Course: Latitude and Longitude
Login

Curriculum

Latitude and Longitude

0/6
Text lesson

Differences between lines of latitude and lines of longitude

Look at the lines of latitude and longitude on the map. Can you spot some differences?
  1. Lines of latitude run from west to east on a globe or map. Lines of longitude run from north to south on a map.
  2. Lines of latitude are parallel to each other. They never meet. Lines of longitude meet at the poles and are farthest apart at the equator. They are not parallel.
  3. Lines of latitude are measured in degrees north or south of the equator. Lines of longitude are measured in degrees east or west of the prime meridian.
  4. Lines of latitude are circles which go all the way around the world. Lines of longitude run from the north pole to the south pole. Lines of longitude do not go all the way around the world.
  5. Lines of latitude are not the same length. The equator is the longest line of latitude. As you move away from the equator the lines of latitude are smaller and smaller. Lines of longitude are all the same length as they all run from the north pole to the south pole.