Earth coordinate system![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The intersection of two imaginary lines, longitude and latitude, makes it possible to locate a precise point on the Earth’s surface.
Arctic Circle ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Parallel of latitude 66°34' N; it marks the polar zone, where days and nights last 24 hours during solstices.
Tropic of Cancer ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Parallel located at 23°26' N latitude (a distance of about 1,600 mi from the Equator).
Equator ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Imaginary line encircling the Earth at its greatest circumference and perpendicular to the polar axis; its latitude, 0, serves as a reference point for calculating other latitudes.
Tropic of Capricorn ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Parallel located at 23°26' N latitude (a distance of about 1,600 mi from the Equator).
South Pole ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Point on the Earth’s surface at the southern extremity of the axis of rotation, where the meridians converge.
Southern Hemisphere ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Southern half of the globe in relation to the Equator.
Northern Hemisphere ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Northern half of the globe in relation to the Equator.
North Pole ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Point on the Earth’s surface at the northern extremity of the axis of rotation, where the meridians converge.
Antarctic Circle ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Parallel of latitude at 66°34' S; it marks the polar zone, where days and nights last 24 hours during solstices.