CONTENT STATEMENT
- Latitude and longitude can be used to identify absolute location.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines used to identify absolute location on Earth’s surface. Latitude and longitude lines intersect with each other creating a grid that allows us to identify the absolute location of places using coordinates.
Students in grade five became familiar with latitude and longitude and the implications of latitude on climate. This content statement builds on that understanding with the addition of absolute location.
Latitude measures distance north and south of Earth’s equator, while longitude measures distance east and west of the prime meridian. Meridians of longitude are imaginary half circles that run between the geographic North and South poles. Parallels of latitude are imaginary circles that run around Earth parallel to the equator.
Students should be able to use coordinates of latitude (including degrees North or South) and longitude (including degrees east or west) to identify the absolute location of a given place. They should be able to identify the absolute location of a place using a labeled map.
Longitude describes a point’s position on Earth’s surface in relation to the prime meridian.
Latitude describes a point’s position on Earth’s surface in relation to the equator.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Identify absolute location using latitude and longitude coordinates.