Station 1 of 7

The Earth

One sphere, two angular measurements

Position18T VR 45166 30247 · 45.4236° N 75.7009° W

Parliament Hill, Ottawa: the starting point

What you are seeing

The Earth

1The Earth is approximately spherical, a slightly flattened sphere.
2Latitude is an angle north or south of the equator, 0° to 90°.
3Longitude is an angle east or west of the prime meridian, 0° to 180°.
4Angles locate a point on a curve. A flat map needs a different kind of number.

Try it

Drag the globe to turn it and scroll to zoom.
Click any place and read its latitude and longitude under the globe.
Click on the equator, then near a pole. Which angle changed?

Key values

MGRS: 18T VR 45166 30247
Latitude: 45.4236° N
Longitude: 75.7009° W
Equator: 0° latitude
Prime meridian: 0° longitude

Instructor notes

Point out that latitude lines are parallel and never meet, while longitude lines all converge at the poles, which is why angular coordinates get awkward on paper.

Master answer key