Geography Chapters

1. Continents and Oceans2. Biosphere3. Lithosphere4. Hydrosphere5. Atmosphere6. Latitudes and Longitudes7. Different Heat Zones of the Earth8. Longitudes and Time Zones9. International Date Line10. Motion of the Earth11. Effect of the Tilted Axis on Day and Night12. The Atmosphere (Composition and Layers)13. Weather and Climate14. Atmospheric Pressure15. Internal Structure of the Earth16. Rocks17. Earthquakes and Volcanoes18. Various Landforms (Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Grasslands)19. Landforms Created by River System20. Landforms Created by Glacier21. Landforms Created by Wind22. Landforms Created by Groundwater23. The Indian Subcontinent Position, Extent, and Physical Features24. Climatic Diversity in the Indian Subcontinent25. Soil Resources of the Indian Subcontinent26. Agriculture in India27. Land Use Pattern of India28. Water Resources and Their Utilization in India29. Multipurpose River Valley Projects30. Transport in India31. Rivers of India

Latitudes and Longitudes

“Latitudes and Longitudes are the imaginary lines drawn on the globe to help locate places accurately.”

What are Latitudes?

Latitudes are the horizontal imaginary lines that circle the Earth parallel to the Equator. They measure the distance north or south of the Equator in degrees (°).

  • The Equator is 0° latitude.
  • Lines range from 0° to 90° North and South.
  • Important latitudes:
    • Equator (0°)
    • Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)
    • Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S)
    • Arctic Circle (66.5° N)
    • Antarctic Circle (66.5° S)

What are Longitudes?

Longitudes are the vertical imaginary lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole. They measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

  • The Prime Meridian is 0° longitude (passes through Greenwich, UK).
  • Lines range from 0° to 180° East and West.
  • Longitudes help determine time zones.

Flow Diagram: Latitudes and Longitudes

Imaginary Lines on the Earth
Latitudes
Equator, Tropics, Circles
Longitudes
Prime Meridian, 180° Meridian
Purpose
Locate positions, time zones

Time and Time Zones

  • Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours → 15° per hour.
  • India's Standard Time is based on 82.5° E longitude.
  • Each 15° difference in longitude = 1 hour difference in time.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

  • SSC CHSL 2022: What is the value of the Tropic of Cancer?
  • 23.5° North
  • RRB NTPC 2020: Prime Meridian passes through which country?
  • United Kingdom (Greenwich)
  • SSC CGL 2021: How many time zones are there in the world?
  • 24
  • HSSC CET 2022: What is the Standard Meridian of India?
  • 82.5° East
  • SSC GD 2019: Which imaginary line divides Earth into two equal halves?
  • Equator
  • SSC MTS 2021: What is the total number of longitudes on Earth?
  • 360
  • RRB Group D 2018: Which circle is located at 66.5° N?
  • Arctic Circle
  • SSC JE 2017: How many latitudes are there?
  • 181 (including Equator)
  • SSC CGL 2020: What is the angular distance between two longitudes?
  • 1°
  • HSSC 2021: Which line helps in determining time?
  • Longitude
Note: Latitude determines climate (e.g., tropical, temperate), while longitude determines time zones.
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