Why is the latitude scale used to measure distance?

It is always true that 1 minute of latitude = 1 nautical mile, but the physical size of this unit will vary with latitude. That is why when using small scale charts (those that cover a large area) we must use the nearest latitude scale to measure distances.

Do you use latitude or longitude to measure distance?

Distances are always measuring from the Latitude Scale on the Chart NOT the Longitude Scale. As detailed in the image below, the distances between each latitude line are equal, whereas the distances between each Longitude line gets smaller as the lines approach the poles.

Why longitude is not use in measuring distance on the chart?

Navigation Tools (Remember, do not use longitudes to measure distance. Longitude lines converge at the poles and the distance between them changes relative to your position on the earth.) One minute equals one nautical mile. Examine the scale of your chart.

Why latitudes and longitudes are always expressed in angles?

Latitudes and longitudes like angles are expressed in terms of degrees. It is because the earth is a sphere. Any line drawn around the earth is a circle, The latitude and the longitude tell us about the angle between the center of the earth and a given location of a place on the globe.

What does the latitude of a place determine?

In geography, latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north–south position of a point on the Earth’s surface. Latitude is used together with longitude to specify the precise location of features on the surface of the Earth.

What can you learn from the latitude and longitude lines on a map?

Latitude lines are a numerical way to measure how far north or south of the equator a place is located. Latitude locations are given as __ degrees North or __ degrees South. Longitude. Vertical mapping lines on Earth are lines of longitude, known as “meridians”.

How do you measure latitude and longitude on a map?

Latitude is indicated on a map by a series of evenly-spaced horizontal lines running from one side of the map to the other, while longitude is indicated by a series of evenly-spaced vertical lines running from top to bottom. Look for numbers along the edges of the map giving coordinates for each line.

How are latitudes and longitudes expressed conventionally?

Latitude is used to express how far north or south you are, relative to the equator. If you are near the north pole your latitude is nearly 90 degrees north. If you are near the south pole your latitude is almost 90 degrees south. Conventionally latitude is expressed as degrees north or south.

How are the latitudes expressed?

Latitude is measured as the angle from the equator, to the Earth’s center, to your position on the Earth’s surface (Figure2. 1.1). It is expressed as degrees north or south of the equator (0o), with the poles at a latitude of 90o.

What is latitude on a map?

Latitude is the measurement of distance north or south of the Equator. It is measured with 180 imaginary lines that form circles around the Earth east-west, parallel to the Equator. These lines are known as parallels.