What is a parallel line on a map?

What is a parallel line on a map?

Parallels on maps are the lines you see that are from left to right. The lines that run from top to bottom are meridians. Parallels represent latitude and meridians represent longitude. The two sets form a grid that sections off maps into the four directions: north, south, east and west.

What direction do parallels run on a map?

Lines of latitude (parallels) run east-west around the globe and are used to measure distances NORTH and SOUTH of the equator. Since the equator is 0�, the latitude of the north pole, 1/4 of the way around the globe going in a northerly direction, would be 90�N. This is the highest latitude possible.

Which direction do standard parallel lines run?

The division is done by placing monuments along the principal meridian at intervals of 24 miles from the initial point. Standard parallels (also called correction lines) are run east and west from the principal meridian. These are monumented at intervals of 40 chains.

What lines run north to South on a map?

The lines circling the globe in a north-south direction are called lines of longitude (or meridians). They are used to measure distances east and west. Lines of latitude and longitude crisscross to form a grid.

What parallel lines run from east to west on a map?

The lines running North to South are called “Meridians” or “lines of longitude” (Figure 2), while the lines running East to West are called “Parallels” or “lines of latitude” (Figure 3). Figure 2. Meridians or “Lines of Longitude” and degree readings for longitudes in increments of 30 degrees.

What parallel is NZ?

45th parallel
Highway sign marking the 45th parallel in New Zealand.

Which map lines run parallel to the equator *?

Latitude lines are geographical coordinates that are used to specify the north and south sides of the Earth. Lines of latitude, also called parallels, run from east to west in circles parallel to the equator. They run perpendicular to the lines of longitude, which run from the north to the south.

What measures north and south?

Latitude. Lines of latitude measure north-south position between the poles. The equator is defined as 0 degrees, the North Pole is 90 degrees north, and the South Pole is 90 degrees south. Lines of latitude are all parallel to each other, thus they are often referred to as parallels.

What lines run north-south?

The lines running North to South are called “Meridians” or “lines of longitude” (Figure 2), while the lines running East to West are called “Parallels” or “lines of latitude” (Figure 3).

Why are latitude and longitude lines called parallels?

Latitude. Latitude lines are also known as parallels since they are parallel and are an equal distant from each other. Each degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 km) apart; there is a variation due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate ellipsoid (slightly egg-shaped).

Which is the highest direction lines of latitude?

Lines of latitude (parallels) run east-west around the globe and are used to measure distances NORTH and SOUTH of the equator. Since the equator is 0, the latitude of the north pole, 1/4 of the way around the globe going in a northerly direction, would be 90 N. This is the highest latitude possible. Click to see full answer.

What are the vertical lines on a map called?

Longitude The vertical lines on a map are called longitude lines, also known as meridians. Unlike latitude lines, they taper (latitude lines are completely parallel, almost as if stacked on top of each other). They converge at the poles and are widest at the equator.

How are the lines of latitude related to the equator?

Latitude lines are imaginary lines on the earth’s surface. They run east and west around the globe and tell you your distance north or south of the Equator. Lines of Latitude run parallel to the equator (east-west). Remember LATITUDE by thinking of a LADDER (sounds similar).