Mapwork & Atlas Skills
Latitude, longitude, time zones
Latitude, Longitude and Time Zones
Latitude lines run east-west and measure distance from the Equator (0°). Longitude lines run north-south and measure distance from the Prime Meridian (0°). Together they form a grid to find any place on Earth. Time zones are based on longitude.
Example
Finding Locations
South Africa: approximately 22°S to 35°S, 17°E to 33°E
Cape Town: 34°S, 18°E
Johannesburg: 26°S, 28°E
Time zones: Earth has 24 (360° ÷ 15° = 24)
SA is in UTC+2 (South African Standard Time)
Note
Remember
Latitude: how far north or south. Longitude: how far east or west. Always write latitude first, then longitude. Every 15° east = 1 hour ahead.
Key Vocabulary
LatitudeDistance north or south of the Equator in degrees
LongitudeDistance east or west of the Prime Meridian in degrees
EquatorThe imaginary line around Earth's middle (0° latitude)
Time zoneA region where the same standard time is used
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