For example, Denver, Colorado, is at 40 degrees N, 105 degrees W. Explain that some sites will not be so close to lines of latitude or longitude, so we estimate based on distance to the lines. This pair of numbers is called the location’s coordinates. Ask: How could we name the location of this city using lat/long -short for latitude and longitude? Have students move a finger along the lines at the point of the city to the margins and explain that it is at 30 degrees N latitude and 90 degrees W longitude. Have students find New Orleans, Louisiana on their maps. Ask: Which lines are lines of latitude? Which are lines of longitude?

Next, give each student a printed copy of the MapMaker 1-Page Map of the United States. Name locations on a map of the United States. The lines of longitude show locations to the east or west of the prime meridian.Ģ. Ask students to name the location of the prime meridian (0 degrees). Point out the lines to the north, labeled with an “N.” Ask: Which of these lines of latitude do you think are in the northern hemisphere? Which are in the southern hemisphere? How do you know? Have volunteers come to the board and explain.

Lines of latitude measure the distance north or south of the Equator. Ask: What’s the number next to this line? (0 degrees) Explain that locations along this line all the way around the globe are at 0 degrees latitude. Project the Lines of Latitude diagram and invite a volunteer to point out the Equator. The grid lines are called latitude and longitude.

Remind students that cartographers long ago created a system of imaginary gridlines for the whole globe.

Map skills video grids video