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How to Figure Latitude

Latitude is the angular distance north or south that originates from the Earth's equator and is measured by degrees. It measures definite distance west or east of a randomly chosen arc on the Earth's exterior, that runs from the North Pole toward the South Pole. The equator is the largest latitude circle that measures zero degrees. The latitude circles that are parallel to the equator plane get smaller in circumference toward the poles. The resulting angular distance that is expressed in degrees is read as positive (+) above the equator line and negative (-) below the equator line.

Things You'll Need

  • Compass with pencil
  • Pencil or marker
  • Ruler
  • Protractor
  • Sheet of paper or plotter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a circle using a pencil point compass. The circle line will be the circular reference line. The circular reference line represents the earth. Draw the circular line as clear as possible.

    • 2

      Locate the center point of the circle drawn and mark it using a pencil as the center point (C). Mark the center point perfectly. This will be the reference point for the equator and the equator line.

    • 3

      Make four equal imaginary divisions of the circle using broken lines from the center point (C) towards the circular reference line, then mark the uppermost point (N), representing north and the lowest point (S), representing south. The resulting four divisions resemble like quadrants. The broken lines in the middle from the left side to the right side represent the equator line.

    • 4

      Draw several continuous spherical lines from the left side (West) of the circular reference line passing the right side (East) of the circular reference line, then back towards the left side (West) where they originate. This will represent the Latitude circles. Mark the middlemost spherical line Equator (E).

    • 5

      Choose a point where the spherical line drawn touches the circular reference line either in the east or west side, and mark it. Draw a straight line using a ruler from center point (C) connecting towards the marked circular reference line.

    • 6

      Measure the degrees using a protractor between the equator line and the straight line drawn in Step 5. The result is the angular distance express in degrees of the chosen spherical line or the latitude.

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