WHERE ON THE EARTH ARE YOU?

• You may already be aware of the cardinal (or main) directions that are shown by a magnetic compass. They are north, south, east, and west. You will also find them on a map with another kind of compass. A compass rose is a symbol that shows these directions so you know which direction is where on the printed map. They are often very artistically drawn, especially on older maps. Knowing the cardinal directions can help you understand where you are on Earth when you look at a map.

• Another important way you can identify your exact location is to use lines of latitude and longitude. Lines of latitude are imaginary lines that circle the Earth going east and west. Lines of longitude are imaginary lines that circle the Earth going north and south. Together, these lines form squares kind of like what you see on graph paper. If you look closely on most maps, you will see this graph paper printed on top of the map. If you look even closer still, you will notice numbers written by each of the lines. These numbers help to give an address to places on Earth. This address for each place is known as its absolute location.

• The equator is the main line of latitude that circles Earth at its widest point. It is the starting point for measuring degrees of latitude. They are measured with a number that says how many degrees north or south of the equator they are. The   prime meridian is the main line of longitude that circles Earth. It is the starting point for measuring lines of longitude. They are measured with a number that says how many degrees east or west of the prime meridian they are. You can accurately identify absolute, or exact, locations on Earth by giving the degrees that identify the latitude line and the longitude line that cross-closest to your location.

Name:__________________________________

Answer the following questions based on the reading passage. Don’t forget to go back to the passage whenever necessary to find or confirm   your answers.

1)  What is the purpose of a compass rose?

2)  What is a line of latitude?

3)  What is a line of longitude?

4)  In your own words, explain how to find an absolute location.

5) Which do you find more helpful on a map, a compass rose, or lines of latitude and longitude? Why?