Look on almost any map or globe and you will see lines going vertically and horizontally, forming what looks like a grid over the Earth's surface. These lines, called latitude and longitude, assign numbers to every location on the map. The unit of measurement for latitude and longitude is called a degree, which is indicated by a small circle to the upper left after a latitude or longitude is given (ex. 60°).
 

• Latitude, the lines that run left to right on a map or globe, is always listed first when assigning a measurement. The equator is found at 0° latitude, and there are 90 degrees to each of the poles. The N or S following a latitude measurement indicate whether the degrees are measured north or south of the equator.

• Longitude, the lines that run up and down on a map or globe, is always listed second when assigning a measurement. The prime meridian is found at 0° longitude, and there are 180° going both east and west from the prime meridian to the International Date Line. The E or the W following a longitude measurement indicate whether the degrees are measured east or west of the prime meridian.

• Minutes and seconds sometimes follow latitude and longitude measurements to more accurately pinpoint a location. Each degree can be divided into sixty minutes, usually indicated by a single quotation mark (ex. 5') or by numbers following a period in the latitude or longitude measurement. For example, 90°15'N could also be written as 90.15N. Each minute can be divided into sixty seconds, indicated by a regular (double) quotation mark (ex. 5'').

You can use a map or globe to find general latitude and longitude measurements, or an atlas, which is a collection of maps, for more specific measurements including minutes and seconds. Practice using an atlas to find the following locations (be sure to include degree signs and direction):
 

1. What can be found at 90° N? ____________________
2. What can be found at 90° S? ____________________
3. What city in England is located at longitude 0°?____________________
4. What city in the United States is located at 40° N, 75° W? ____________________
5. What other cities are located at latitude 40° N? ____________________
6. What other cities are located at longitude 75° W? ____________________
7. Find your city on a map or atlas. At what latitude and longitude are you right now? ____________________ 
8. Find your country on a map or atlas. What is the approximate range of latitudes and longitudes that your country covers? ____________________

• Want some extra credit? Then print out this puzzle and fill it in....