Difference between revisions of "Longitude"

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Longitude, represented by a series of vertical lines on a map - or vertical rings on a globe - is the angular distance of a point on the Earth either east or west of the Prime Meridian ( 0° ) which runs through Greenwich, England. There are 360 lines of longitude, 180 east and 180 west of the Prime Meridian. E180° and W180° are the same. Lines of longitude are often refered to as "meridians".
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[[Longitude]]], represented by a series of vertical lines on a map - or vertical rings on a globe - is the angular distance of a point on the Earth either east or west of the Prime Meridian ( 0° ) which runs through Greenwich, England. There are 360 lines of [[longitude]], 180 east and 180 west of the Prime Meridian. E180° and W180° are the same. Lines of [[longitude]] are often refered to as "meridians".
  
Every circle formed by lines of longitude is a [[Great Circle]] - compare this to [[Latitude|latitude]] where only the equitorial line of latitude is a Great Circle.
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Every circle formed by lines of [[longitude]] is a [[great circle]] - compare this to [[Latitude]] where only the equitorial line of [[latitude]] is a [[great circle]].
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See also [[coordinates]].
  
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Glossary]]

Revision as of 21:46, 24 June 2007

Longitude], represented by a series of vertical lines on a map - or vertical rings on a globe - is the angular distance of a point on the Earth either east or west of the Prime Meridian ( 0° ) which runs through Greenwich, England. There are 360 lines of longitude, 180 east and 180 west of the Prime Meridian. E180° and W180° are the same. Lines of longitude are often refered to as "meridians".

Every circle formed by lines of longitude is a great circle - compare this to Latitude where only the equitorial line of latitude is a great circle.

See also coordinates.