The ability to “read” a map is a very interesting and useful activity. Today, when with the help of innovative technologies it is possible to virtually visit any corner of the world, the possession of such skills is very rare. Geographic latitude is studied in the school curriculum, but without constant practice it is impossible to consolidate the theoretical knowledge gained in the general education course. Cartographic skills develop not only spatial thinking and imagination, but are also a necessary basis for many complex disciplines. Those wishing to acquire the profession of navigator, surveyor, architect and military simply need to know the basic principles of working with a map and plan. Determination of geographic latitude is a mandatory skill that a real travel lover and just an educated person should have.
Globe
Before proceeding to the algorithm for determining geographical values, it is necessary to get acquainted in more detailwith globe and map. Because it is on them that you will have to train your skills. A globe is a miniature model of our Earth that depicts its surface. The author of the very first model is M. Behaim, the creator of the famous "Earth Apple" in the 15th century. The history of the development of cartographic knowledge has information about other famous globes.
- Multitouch. This interactive model is a modern invention that allows you to "visit" anywhere in the world without spending much time and effort!
- Heavenly. This globe shows the location of the cosmic bodies - mirrored. After all, when we admire the beautiful night sky, we are “inside” the dome, and we are forced to look at this globe from the outside!
- One of the collectors, Sh. Missine, keeps a globe of North America carved from an ostrich egg. This is one of the very first maps of this continent.
On the globe, you can accurately determine the geographical latitude, because it has the least distortion. But for greater reliability, it is necessary to use a special flexible ruler.
Cards
The globe is not very convenient to take with you on a trip, besides, it becomes more useless the smaller it is. And over time, people began to use the card. It, of course, has more errors, since it is very difficult to accurately depict the convex shape of the Earth on a piece of paper, but it is more convenient and easy to use. Maps have several classifications, but we will focus on their difference in scale, soas we talk about acquiring the skills of determining coordinates.
- Large scale. This is how drawings with a scale (M) from 1:100,000 to 1:10,000 are called. If a map has M 1:5,000, and larger, then it is already called a plan.
- Medium scale. This is the name of the drawings of the Earth's surface, which have MM from 1:1,000,000 to 1:200,000.
- Small scale. These are drawings with M 1:1,000,000 and less, for example - MM 1:2,000,000, 1:50,000,000, etc.
On a large-scale map, the geographic latitude is most easily determined, since the image is plotted on it in more detail. This is due to the fact that the graticule lines are located at a small distance.
Geographic latitude
This is the name of the angle between the zero parallel and the plumb line at a given point. The resulting value can only be within 90 degrees. It is important to remember that the equator divides our Earth into the southern and northern hemispheres. Therefore, the latitude of all points on the Earth that are located above the longest parallel will be north, and below it will be south. How to determine the geographic latitude of an object? It is necessary to carefully look at which parallel it is located. If it is not indicated, then it is necessary to calculate what is the distance between adjacent lines and determine the degree of the desired parallel.
Geographic longitude
This is the angle between the plane of the meridian of a specific point on the Earth and the prime meridian, which is called the Greenwich Meridian. All objects to the right of it are considered eastern, and to the left -Western. Longitude shows on which meridian the desired object is located. If the point to be determined is not located on the meridian indicated on the map, then we proceed in the same way as in the case of determining the desired parallel.
Geographic address
Every object on our Earth has it. The intersection of parallels and meridians on a map or globe is called a grid (degree grid), along which the coordinates of the desired point are determined. Knowing them, you can not only determine the place where the object is located, but also correlate its position with others. Having information about the geographical address of a particular point, it is possible to correctly draw the boundaries of territories on contour maps.
Five major latitudes
On any map, the main parallels are highlighted, which make it easier to determine the coordinates. The territories that are between these main latitude lines, depending on the location, may be included in the following areas: the arctic, tropics, equatorial and temperate.
Equator is the longest parallel. The length of lines located above or below it becomes shorter towards the poles. What is the geographic latitude of the equator? It is equal to 0 degrees, as it is considered the starting point of the parallels to the north and south. The territories that are located from the equator to the tropics are called the equatorial regions
- The Tropic of the North is the main parallel that is always marked on world maps of the Earth. It is located 23 degrees 26 minutes and 16 seconds north of the equator. Another name for thisParallels – Tropic of Cancer.
- Southern Tropic is a parallel that is located 23 degrees 26 minutes and 16 seconds south of the equator. It also has a second name - the Tropic of Capricorn. The territories that are located between these lines and the equator are called tropical regions.
- The Arctic Circle is 66 degrees 33 minutes and 44 seconds above the equator. It limits the territory beyond which the time of night increases, closer to the pole it reaches 40 days.
