Using Latitude & Longitude To Find Absolute & Relative Location

 

Activity One: Exploring An Atlas

Divide students into pairs, and provide each pair with an atlas. Students will answers the following questions on chart paper as they flip through their atlases.

  1. Name the different types of maps found in the atlas.

  2. Describe the purpose of each type of map.

  3. List the other types of information provided in the atlas on countries and locations.

  4. Describe the tools given in an atlas that assist in finding the location of countries?

  5. Why was latitude and longitude created?

  6. What types of people use latitude and longitude in their daily lives, and why?

  7. What is the relationship of latitude and longitude to the study of geography?

  8. Why is an understanding of how to use atlases and how to use latitude and longitude important skills?

Pairs will share their answers with the group, thereby familiarizing the group with the features of an atlas and the ways in which atlases can be used.

Activity Two: Identifying Latitude and Longitude

Divide students into pairs. Provide each pair with an atlas and two copies of the data retrieval chart, one for each student. Students will locate the seven important Parallels of Latitude and two important Meridians of Longitude with all finding placed on the data retrieval chart. To be correct, answers must include a degree sign and direction.

Activity Three: Working With Latitude and Longitude

Divide students into pairs. Provide each pair with an atlas and two copies of the data retrieval chart, one for each student. Students will locate the information using an atlas. To be correct, all latitude and longitude answers must include a degree sign and direction.

Activity Four: Crossword Puzzle

Divide students into pairs. Provide each pair with an atlas and two copies of  The New York Times Learning Network’s Latitude and Longitude crossword puzzle. Thirty puzzle clues require the use of an atlas to find a location given its latitude and longitude, the remaining clues are general knowledge questions. The clues dealing specifically with latitude and longitude are listed below.

  • Across Clues: 1, 9, 13, 14, 16, 18, 23, 32, 33, 44, 47, 49, 51, 59, 62, 67

  • Down Clues: 2, 5, 10, 15, 17, 24, 28, 29, 43, 51, 53, 55, 56, 61

As names of locations in atlases may vary, students are encouraged to use a variety of sources to answer difficult questions.

An alternative activity would be to create your own crossword puzzle.

Activity Five: Extension Activities

  1. Imagine that you are going on a trip around the world, visiting ten to twenty cities. Write a travel itinerary for your trip using longitude and latitude. Then, switch your itinerary with that of another student, and an atlas to recreate your classmate’s trip.

  2. Create a visual display or write a report about the development of latitude and longitude, as well as other markings found on maps, such as the equator, prime meridian, International Date Line, the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, and time zones.