A SENSE OF PLACE Upper Primary 4..5

18
LINES OF LATITUDE (parallels)
Think about Hula Hoops of different
sizes covering a ball. The largest hoop
will rest at the centre, dividing the sphere
into halves. On both sides we would
need matching pairs of hoops to cover the
ball totally. However, the one at the centre
is the largest.
both halves. All other lines of latitude run
parallel to the equator; they never touch.
Many years ago Eratosthenes of
Cyrene, the ‘father of geography’, divided
the globe into ninety (90) slices on either
side of the equator.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.c
om/articles/worldhistory/eratost
henes.htm
Hula Hoops and Ball
LINES OF LATITUDE
Now, imagine that the Hula Hoops are
circles around the earth. These would
represent the lines of latitude. The largest
hoop that lies at the middle would
represent the Equator. The equator is the
main line of Latitude. If we were to cut the
earth in half at the equator and place a
large piece of paper in between the two
halves, the paper would fit exactly onto
These slices are bounded by the lines
He was the first to use the word
of latitude. The scale shows these in
geography, employing it in a nowlost
of work ten degrees titled Geographika. (10 o ) from In the
intervals
equator. this work, the contents of which
are known because of references
However, there are five major lines
from subsequent books still in
which are existence, important Eratosthenes for you divided to understand
as you the study planet your into planet. climate The zones first and of
employed overlapping grid lines
these is indeed called the equator. The
onto maps of Earth. Geographika
equator also is the listed landmark the names line and of Latitude
around locations which the of 400 other cities. lines get their
bearing. The equator is located at 0°
latitude.
Going north from the equator we find
the Tropic of Cancer. This circle is located
at 23.5 ° north. Continuing further
northward we reach the Arctic Circle at
66.5 ° north. Continuing all the way to the