We all are familiar with some lines going from top to bottom on a globe or on an image of the Earth or on a map. Well, these imaginary lines are known as longitude. Longitude is defined by meridians, which are curved lines that extend from pole to pole. A reference meridian is chosen, called the prime meridian, and this is the basis for determining longitudes. The Prime Meridian on earth travels from Greenwich, London. Therefore it is sometimes called the Greenwich meridian. Read more on Geography topics here.
What is Longitude?
Longitude is a geographical coordinate defining the east-west direction of a point on the surface of the Earth. This is a representation of angles, usually measured in degrees. Longitude is a calculation of the position east or west of Greenwich’s prime meridian, the uniquely defined north-south imaginary line that crosses all celestial poles and Greenwich, London. Longitude is always Measured in degrees, minutes, and also in seconds. longitude is the amount of arc formed by first drawing a line from the center of the Earth to the junction of the Equator and the main meridian, and then another line from the center of the Earth to some other point on the Equator. The longitude of the prime meridian is calculated 180 ° east and west of them.
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In other words, Longitudinal lines, also known as meridians, run from the North and the South. They compare the place east-west. The magnitude of 0 degrees is given to the prime meridian and passes across Greenwich, England. Meridians to the west of the Prime Meridian are expressed in degrees to the west and their number of degrees to the east of the Prime Meridian is expressed in the same direction.
Some Facts About Longitude or Longitudinal Line
What is Latitude? Facts and characteristics of Latitude
Here are some interesting and helpful facts or characteristics of longitudinal lines:
- Longitudinal lines are measured using degrees, exactly the same as an angle.
- The value of The Prime Meridian is 0°.
- The farthest line is +180° in the east and -180° in the west.
- There is no natural starting point for longitude, unlike latitude which has the equator as a natural starting position.
- These lines are also known as a meridian.
- They originate in the North and goes to the South.
- Measure Distances on East and West from the Prime Meridian.
- Longitudinal lines are closest at poles and farthest at the Equator.
- They intersect the Equator at a right angle.
- Longitudinal Lines are all equal in length.
- These lines are exactly half of a circle.
- Longitude splits the globe around the Prime Meridian, into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
- The Prime Meridian goes through Greenwich, London, which is why the 0 ° longitude is located there. This passes through the United Kingdom, France, Asia, and other oceans.
Read more on latitude and longitude on britanica