Latitudes & Longitudes

1) The Equator is an important line of latitude. It is an imaginary line

half way between the North and South Poles. Countries near to the

Equator are very hot as this is the Earth’s closest point to the Sun.

2) The Arctic Circle lies at 66.5 degrees north.

3) The Antarctic Circle lies at 66.5 degrees south.

4) The Tropic of Cancer lies 23.5 degrees north of the Equator.

5) The Tropic of Capricorn lies 23.5 degrees south of the Equator.

Lines of Latitude are used to determine the climatic zone of places on earth.

Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long period of time.

There are three major climatic zones of the world. These are

The Polar/Frigid Zone The Tropical Zone The Temperate Zone

The area of the earth between the Tropic of Cancer and the

Tropic of Capricorn is known as the Tropical Zone (or The

Tropics). Countries in this area are hot and humid as there is a

lot of sunshine.

There is also abundant rainfall and as a result

there are many rain-forests in this zone. These places are hot as

they are close to the Equator. Places near to the Equator are

very hot as this is the Earth’s closest point to the Sun.

The area between the Arctic Circle and the Tropic of Cancer and

the area between the Antarctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn

is the TEMPERATE ZONE. Countries in this area have the

4 seasons. Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring.

The area between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole and

the Arctic Circle and the North Pole is the Frigid/Polar Zone.

Countries in this area have the four seasons (winter, summer,

spring and autumn) but it is cold throughout the year.

Longitudes also known as Meridians are used to determine the time zones of the World.

Time is different depending on where you are in the world. If it is daytime in the UK, it will be night-time in Australia.

All time zones are measured from a starting point at England's Greenwich Observatory. This point is known as the Greenwich Meridian or the Prime Meridian.

Time at the Greenwich Meridian is known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time.

The Earth has 24 different time zones and local time depends on

which time zone you are in.