How do I use Maps and Globes?

Hemispheres 
      To locate places on the earth, geographers use a system of imaginary lines that crisscross the globe. One of these lines, the Equator, circles the middle of the earth like a belt. It divides the earth into "half spheres", or hemispheres. Everything north of the Equator is in Northern Hemisphere, everything south of the Equator is in the Southern Hemisphere. 
        Another imaginary line runs from north to south, called the Prime Meridian  It helps divide the earth into half spheres in the other direction. The Prime Meridian will divide earth also in half, everything east of the Prime meridian for 180 degrees is in the Eastern Hemisphere, everything west of the Prime Meridian for 180 degrees is the Western Hemisphere.

Understanding Latitude and Longitude 

Lines on globes and maps provide information that can help you easily locate places on earth. These lines -called latitude and longitude- cross one another, forming a pattern called a grid system.

       Latitude   Lines of latitude, or parallels, circle the earth parallel to the Equator and measure the distance north or south of the equator in degrees. The equator is at 0 degrees latitude, while the North Pole lies at latitude 90˚ (north) 













Longitude   Lines of longitude, or meridians, circle the earth from Pole to Pole. These lines measure distances east to west of the starting line, which is at 0 degrees longitude called the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. 




Absolute location    The grid system formed by lines of latitude and longitude makes it possible to find the absolute location of a place. Only one place can be found at the point where a specific line of latitude crosses a specific line of longitude. By using degrees (˚) and minutes (') (points between degrees), people can pinpoint the precise spot where one line of latitude crosses one line of longitude-an absolute location. 

Visit the following address so you can watch a video about all this information.
http://youtu.be/swKBi6hHHMA

Resources: 
Geography The World and Its People, Boehm, Armstrong, Lobrecht, Hunkins, Reinhartz. Mc Graw Hill. 2007. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swKBi6hHHMA

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