NAME

DATE

Geography and History Activity

CLASS

netw rks

Studying Geography, Economics, and Citizenship

Lesson 1 Studying Geography

Understanding Location: Longitude and

Latitude
Geographers use longitude and latitude to identify the precise
location of objects on the surface of the Earth. Both latitude
and longitude are measured in units called degrees () and
minutes ('). Minutes are smaller than degrees and many maps
do not show them. If you know the latitude and longitude of a
place in degrees and minutes, then you know its absolute
location on Earth.

Using Longitude and Latitude

The following map uses the Mercator projection to show the

Earth's surface. The Mercator projection shows directions and
the shapes of land masses in an accurate way. However, it
does not show the correct size of objects.
Locate the Equator on the Map. It circles the Earth at
0 latitude. When you move above the Equator on the map,
you are measuring degrees of latitude North. When you move
below the Equator, you are measuring degrees of latitude South.

When you write down the location of a place, write the

degrees of latitude first and then the longitude. You
abbreviate North as N, South as S, East as E, and West as W.

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Locate the Prime Meridian on the map. It circles the Earth at

0 longitude. When you move to the right of the Prime
Meridian on the map, you are measuring degrees of longitude
East. When you move to the left of the Prime Meridian on the
map, you are measuring degrees of longitude West. You
switch from East to West when you cross the line that says
180 degrees.

NAME

DATE

CLASS

netw rks

Geography and History Activity Cont.

Studying Geography, Economics, and Citizenship

100E

120E

140E

160E

180

160W 140W 120W 100W

80W

60W

40W

20W

20E

40E

60E

ARC T I C O CE AN
80N

60N

ASIA

NORTH
AMERICA

PACI FI C
O CE AN

40N

EUROPE
ATL AN T I C
O CE AN

20N

AFRICA
EQUATOR

I N D IAN
O CE AN

20S

AUSTRALIA
40S

N
W

60S

PRIME MERIDIAN

SOUTH
AMERICA

Look at the map again. Find the point in North America where
40 latitude crosses 100 longitude. You would write this
location down as 40 N, 100 W. It lies north of the Equator
DOPW (Discovering
Our Past of
-World)
and West
the Prime Meridian. Now find the point where
40 latitude crosses 100 longitude in the ocean below
RESG
Chapter 2
Australia.
You would write this location down as 40 S, 100 E.
Map Title: Mercator
Projection
File Name: C02_L1_wsgh_1A.ai
It is South of the Equator and East of the Prime Meridian.
Date/Proof: Jan 28, 2011 - First Proof

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

ANTARCTICA
80S

NAME

DATE

Geography and History Activity Cont.

CLASS

netw rks

Studying Geography, Economics, and Citizenship

Directions: Answer the following questions using the map

and the text above.

Understanding the Concept

1. Identifying The location 40 N, 20 E is found on what
continent? What continent is found below 20 S and
between 40 and 80 W?

2. Describing The southern tips of Australia, Africa, and

South America are located closest to which lines of latitude
on the map?

3. Defining Define absolute location.

Applying the Concept

4. Making Inferences How would knowing your latitude and
longitude help you find your way at sea?
Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.