Name ____________________ Date _____ Class _____
Physical Geography of Europe
Chart, Graph, and Map Skills Activity
Using Latitude and Longitude
Learning the Skill
To find an exact location on a map, geographers use a set of
imaginary lines. Latitude lines, also called parallels, circle the
Earth's surface like a stack of rings. The starting latitude line,
which is 0° latitude, is the Equator. Lines of latitude are labeled
Nor S to show whether they are north or south of the Equator.
Longitude lines, also called meridians, run vertically from
the North Pole to the South Pole. The starting point, which is 0°
longitude, is called the Prime Meridian. It runs through the Royal
Observatory in Greenwich, England. Longitude lines are labeled
E or W to show whether they are east or west of the Prime Meridian.
The grid system formed by crossing lines of latitude and longitude
makes it possible to find the absolute location of a place.
Follow these steps to find a location by using latitude and
longitude:
• Choose a place on
Europe
a map.
• Identify the nearest
line of latitude, or
parallel. Note the
location north or
south of the Equator.
• Identify the nearest
line of longitude, or
meridian. Note the
location east or west
of the Prime Meridian.
~ Practicing
the Skill
Directions: The politi-
cal map of Europe on
the right shows lines of
latitude and longitude.
Use this map to answer
the questions on the
next page.
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Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date _ _ _ _ Class _ _ _ __
Chart, Graph, and Map Skills Activity
continued
1. Locating Which countries lie mostly or completely west of
the Prime Meridian?
2. Locating What is the approximate latitude and longitude
of the Belarus capital?
---
oN
°E
3. Identifying Highlight the 200E longitude line. Write the names
of five countries that touch this line.
(I Applying the Skill
Directions: Use the political map of Europe to answer the questions
that follow.
1. Calculating Approximately how far apart are the cities of Rome
and Berlin in terms of latitude?
2. Locating What city is located closest to SOON, 31 °E?
3. Identifying What are the coordinates for the following capitals?
• Madrid, Spain:
• Belgrade, Serbia:
• Warsaw, Poland:
• Oslo, Norway:
• London, United Kingdom:
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