Use a map of the world and your knowledge of longitude and latitude to answer the following questions. Note: here is a good web site for maps: CIA Maps. Or if you prefer to use a computer try Google Earth and choose Borders and Labels, Places, and Turn on Gridlines under the Map Style menu.
1. Name four countries that intersect the prime meridian. In other words, name four countries you could visit and have a longitude equal to that of the prime meridian.
2. Describe in words the location on the Earth that has latitude 0°, longitude 0°.
3. Determine the latitude of the following: (a)
Tropic of Cancer, (b) Tropic of Capricorn, (c) Arctic Circle, and (d)
4. Determine the coordinates of the following: (a)
5. Suppose a certain hurricane has coordinates of 15°N, 50°W on a certain date. Some time later the coordinates are 16°N, 52°W. (a) Approximately where is this hurricane? (b) In what direction is this hurricane moving?
6. A certain airplane begins its journey at 30°N, 31°E, and ends its journey at 32°S, 116°E. Determine the cities where this airplane took off and landed.
7. A ship moves northward from a position 15°N, 150°W to a position 30°N, 150°W. Given the Earth’s radius is 6380 km, calculate the distance the ship has traveled.
8. Optional challenge: A ship moves westward 750 km from an initial position of 45°S, 60°E. Determine the ending latitude and longitude of the ship. (Even though the radius of the Earth is still 6380 km, that is not the radius of the circular arc on which this ship moves! That is what makes this problem a challenge!)
Answers
1.
2.
0°, 0° is south of
3.
a. 23° N
b. 23° S
c. 67° N
d. 67° S
4.
a. 41° N, 74° W
b. 23° S, 43° W
c. 56° N, 38° E
d. 18° S, 178°E
5.
a.
b. Northwest
6.
7. 1670 km
8. 45° S, 50.5° E