Determining direction

Social sciences: geography

Grade 6

Map work and practical work

Module 1

Determining direction

1. Using lines of longitude and latitude to indicate location

In the same way as we draw lines on a map or plan, imaginary lines are drawn on the earth. Exactly halfway between the north and south poles, we find the EQUATOR. The equator is called the 0° line of latitude, and runs from east to west. Parallel to the 0° line of latitude, we also find a 90°N and a 90°S line of latitude at the two poles.

The equator divides the globe into two halves. The upper half is called the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE and the lower one the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

There are also imaginary lines running from north to south. They are called the lines of longitude. The line of longitude lying on 0° is called the GREENWICH line of longitude. It, in turn, divides the earth into a WESTERN HEMISPHERE and an EASTERN HEMISPHERE. East of the Greenwich line of longitude run 180 lines of longitude, and to the west of it there are also 180 lines of longitude.

All these lines of longitude and latitude form intersections on the earth, with which the exact location of a place can be indicated. More about this later. For now it is enough if you are able to indicate in which hemisphere(s) a place, land or continent is.

Activity 1:

To answer questions

[lo 1.3, 1.5]

Study a map of the world in your atlas and answer the following questions:

• Name the continents through which the equator runs.
• The equator runs through three oceans. Name them.
• Is Cape Town situated in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere?
• Which continents lie completely north of the equator?
• Which continent lies completely in the Western Hemisphere?
• In which two hemispheres is South Africa located?

2. Location by means of degrees of longitude and latitude

Lines of longitude and latitude

180 ° 160 °W 120°W 80°W 40°W 0° 40°E 80°E 120°E 160°E 180°

3. Lines of latitude

A few important facts:

The best-known one is the equator (0° line of latitude).

• The tropics are at 23½°.
• The pole circles are at 66½°.
• The poles are at 90° (actually a point and not a line).
• All lines of latitude run parallel to one another.
• Lines of latitude indicate the northern and southern hemispheres.
• When the location of a place is indicated, latitude is mentioned first .

The latitude of a place is a good indication of its climate. You know that places near the equator (0°) are normally very hot. You also know that places near the poles (90°) are very cold. Remember that there are more factors than only latitude that influence climate.

The most important lines of latitude

4. Lines of longitude

A few important facts:

• The best known is the Greenwich meridian (0° line of longitude).
• From Greenwich (0°) the lines of longitude are numbered to the east up to 180°.
• This forms the Eastern Hemisphere.
• From Greenwich (0°) the lines of longitude are also numbered to the west up to 180°.
• This forms the Western Hemisphere.
• Lines of longitude meet at the poles and are all the same length.
• At the equator the lines of longitude are furthest from each other.
• When the location of a place is indicated, the longitude is always mentioned second.